Crowning glory: Jewels to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee

May 27, 2022

By Katerina Perez

9 min read

This summer, we look forward to joining in the celebrations as Her Majesty the Queen marks seven decades on the throne with her Platinum Jubilee. Queen Elizabeth II’s love of jewellery and status as the country’s longest-reigning monarch have proven to be inspirational for jewellers setting out to make commemorative creations.

This June, the British Isles are set to erupt in celebration as we mark the Platinum Jubilee, an historic milestone that reflects 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s rule. With the anniversary linked to a precious metal, jewellers have been quick to jump on the occasion to launch royal-themed collections and one-off masterpieces, and to highlight houses’ historic links to Her Majesty.

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 10th Anniversary ring with a 2.99 carat cushion-cut unheated Burmese sapphire and Cornish tin

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 10th Anniversary ring with a 2.99 carat cushion-cut unheated Burmese sapphire and Cornish tin

 Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 20th Anniversary Royal Worcester china ring with snow-set diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 20th Anniversary Royal Worcester china ring with snow-set diamonds in 18k yellow gold

 Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 30th Anniversary natural pearl drop earrings with diamonds in 18k white gold

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 30th Anniversary natural pearl drop earrings with diamonds in 18k white gold

 Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 40th Anniversary ring with unheated Burmese cushion-cut rubies of 4.47 carats in 18k yellow gold

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 40th Anniversary ring with unheated Burmese cushion-cut rubies of 4.47 carats in 18k yellow gold

 Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 50th Anniversary Welsh gold ring with a 1.08 carat pear-shaped Colombian emerald and diamonds

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 50th Anniversary Welsh gold ring with a 1.08 carat pear-shaped Colombian emerald and diamonds

A Jewel for Every Decade

British jeweller Pragnell has long associations with the royals, with its founder George Pragnell serving as personal jeweller to Queen Mary. Pragnell also bought the business of Philip Antrobus, the jeweller who crafted Queen Elizabeth II’s engagement ring, as well as a diamond bracelet she wore on her wedding day. To celebrate this history, Pragnell has released a seven-piece Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Collection inspired by original sketches in the Philip Antrobus archives.

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 60th Anniversary ring with a 4.53 carat jubilee-cut diamond in platinum

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection 60th Anniversary ring with a 4.53 carat jubilee-cut diamond in platinum

Each one-of-a-kind piece ties into a particular decade of the Queen’s rule, inspired by the tradition of gifting certain materials on important anniversaries. A collet of Cornish tin features on a sapphire ring for 10 years, while the handle of a china teacup bridges snow-set diamonds in a ring design for 20 years. Pearls, rubies and Welsh gold – the metal used for all royal wedding rings – are the features of 30, 40 and 50 years. For 60 years, a rare jubilee-cut diamond was sourced and – of course – platinum was the metal of choice for a necklace crafted to commemorate this year’s jubilee.

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection

Pragnell Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Collection

Jewellery brand Annoushka has also tapped into this theme and has created seven platinum versions of its popular Crown rings, set with patriotic rubies, diamonds and sapphires, to mark seven decades. It has also designed playful corgi and orb charms for those who wish to commemorate the moment by way of their charm bracelet.

Annoushka Limited Edition Platinum Jubilee charms

Annoushka Limited Edition Platinum Jubilee charms

The Sovereign’s Sceptre Topaz Pin

Garrard has made many jewels for the royals, including the crown set with the Koh-i-Noor diamond that the Queen Mother wore to her daughter Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of that very day, the British jeweller, which was appointed Crown Jeweller in 1843, has made a one-of-a-kind Garrard Jubilee pin. The shape of the pin pays homage to the brand’s Sovereign motif, which mimics the setting Garrard used when securing the Cullinan I diamond to the Sovereign’s Sceptre, part of the British Crown Jewels, in 1910. The pin has been set with a 4.9ct London Blue topaz and can be worn as a lapel pin, hair jewel or hat accessory.

Garrard Jubilee pin with the Sovereign motif inspired by the Cullinan I diamond setting in the Sovereign’s Sceptre

Garrard Jubilee pin with the Sovereign motif inspired by the Cullinan I diamond setting in the Sovereign’s Sceptre

 Garrard Jubilee pendants inspired by the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Garrard Jubilee pendants inspired by the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Garrard has also released a more accessible Jubilee jewel in The Royal Blue Aloria pendant, which also plays on the Sovereign shape, this time filling it with a royal blue enamel. “The clean curves and simplicity of design draw the eye to the rich, bold colour that we are all so excited about,” says Garrard creative director Sara Prentice. She describes it as “the perfect everyday piece” and shares a secret: the pendant can be reversed to reveal a flash of white diamonds.

Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara with 63.44 carats of Zambian emeralds

Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara with 63.44 carats of Zambian emeralds

Transforming Tiara for Her Majesty’s Love of Emeralds

Bulgari has no historic affiliations with the British royal family, other than having once signed Lady Kitty Spencer, niece of Princess Diana, as ambassador. Yet high jewellery creative director Lucia Silvestri felt driven to create a parure that would pay homage to the monarch at this time. “I was inspired by the Queen, a strong and powerful woman, an icon of our times, and by her historic admiration of emeralds,” she explains. Her Majesty does indeed enjoy an emerald, with many jewels in her collection set with the green gem, including a necklace and tiara decorated with the Cambridge Emeralds, which were once famously won in a raffle by the Duchess of Cambridge, nee Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel, in 1818.

Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara with a 63.44 carat Zambian emeralds

Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara with a 63.44 carat Zambian emeralds

 The Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara with a 63.44 carat Zambian emerald can also be worn as a necklace

The Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara with a 63.44 carat Zambian emerald can also be worn as a necklace

 The carved 63.44 carat Zambian emerald in the Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara

The carved 63.44 carat Zambian emerald in the Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara

 Designing the Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara

Designing the Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara

 A sketch of the Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara

A sketch of the Bulgari Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara

The Bulgari parure made in the Queen’s honour comprises a magnificent Jubilee Emerald Garden tiara, which can also be flipped and worn as a necklace, and a Diva’s Dream high jewellery watch. The platinum tiara, which took master gem setters 1,500 hours to complete, has at its centre a 63.44 carat Zambian emerald, carved with the image of a blooming lotus flower. Zambian emeralds are also set in the white gold watch, with eight custom-cut fan-shaped gems nestled amongst more than 11 carats of diamonds.

A diamond tiara from the 1880s as sold by Sotheby's

A diamond tiara from the 1880s as sold by Sotheby's

Diamonds from the Crown Jewels Mine

Although Boodles’ Peace of Mined collection has been a long-held ambition, the timing of its releases, the jeweller admits, has been “serendipitous”. The 25-piece collection is a landmark one for the family-owned jeweller as each piece has been set with diamonds from a single mine. As well as offering a strong traceability story, the jeweller, which is an official partner of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, points out that it is a mine with royal connections.

Boodles Peace of Mined bracelet with diamonds from the Cullinan mine in South Africa

Boodles Peace of Mined bracelet with diamonds from the Cullinan mine in South Africa

 Boodles Peace of Mined collection pendant with South African diamonds

Boodles Peace of Mined collection pendant with South African diamonds

 Boodles Peace of Mined collection ring with yellow and colourless diamonds

Boodles Peace of Mined collection ring with yellow and colourless diamonds

 Boodles Peace of Mined collection pendant with colourless and pink diamonds

Boodles Peace of Mined collection pendant with colourless and pink diamonds

 Boodles Peace of Mined collection solitaire diamond ring

Boodles Peace of Mined collection solitaire diamond ring

 Boodles Peace of Mind collection diamond earrings

Boodles Peace of Mind collection diamond earrings

 Boodles Peace of Mined colourless diamond and pink diamond rings

Boodles Peace of Mined colourless diamond and pink diamond rings

The Cullinan mine in South Africa, from where the Peace of Mined diamonds come, is also the source of the famous diamond of the same name, a 3,106.75ct rough stone that lays claim to being the largest gem-quality diamond ever unearthed. The stone was so big that it was split into many smaller diamonds, all of which were set into the British Crown Jewels. The largest, the 530.2ct Cullinan I and 317.4ct Cullinan II, were centrepieces of the crown and sceptre Queen Elizabeth II wore and carried during her coronation.

An early 20th century diamond tiara as sold by Sotheby's

An early 20th century diamond tiara as sold by Sotheby's

 A diamond-set tiara from the 1830s as sold by Sotheby's

A diamond-set tiara from the 1830s as sold by Sotheby's

See the Real Deal

While brands are lining up to offer jewels inspired by the Platinum Jubilee, there will also be a chance to see genuine royal jewels throughout the Platinum Jubilee. Jewellery from Her Majesty’s personal collection will go on display this summer at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh at a series of exhibitions. Jewels on display will include The Diamond Diadem, set with 1,333 brilliant-cut diamonds and worn by the Queen on the day of her Coronation, as well as the Delhi Durbar emerald necklace, which was recently worn by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Hancocks diamond-set tiara worn by Marjorie Paget, the Marchioness of Anglesey, to the coronation of George VI in 1937

Hancocks diamond-set tiara worn by Marjorie Paget, the Marchioness of Anglesey, to the coronation of George VI in 1937

Antique jewellery specialist Hancocks will use this moment to put a special tiara up for sale that was worn by Marjorie Paget, the Marchioness of Anglesey, to the coronation of George VI in 1937 and then to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II by her daughter in law, the next Marchioness of Anglesey Shirley Paget. For more tiara history, head to Sotheby’s Royal Portraits & Manuscripts exhibition, taking place in London from May 28th to June 15th, where 50 tiaras will be on display, with 19th century masterpieces alongside more contemporary offerings from jewellers including Van Cleef & Arpels and 

Kiki McDonough.

Hirsh London 'The Jubilee Rose' in honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Hirsh London 'The Jubilee Rose' in honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

 The design concept and finished bespoke Jubilee Rose brooch by Hirsh London

The design concept and finished bespoke Jubilee Rose brooch by Hirsh London

Couture Show 2022: 10 Must-See Jewellery Debutantes

continue reading

Joyful Universe: The Bewitching Dior Milly Dentelle High Jewellery Collection

Victoire de Castellane is back with another high jewellery story inspired by the life and loves of Monsieur Christian Dior, translated directly from the brand’s remarkable archives

by Sarah Jordan

Make a Statement for Less: Incredible Fine Jewellery Under £5,000

We will be showcasing the designers and brands who are exploring brilliant alternatives to costly materials to enable more clients to own a piece of their world

by Claire Roberts

Wise Words: A Curated List of the Best Jewellery Quotes

Here’s a curated selection of the best jewellery quotes to save for the future… 

by Hirshi Sujanti

Ear Lobe Disasters: What To Do About Ripped and Stretched Piercings

Rachael Taylor discovers just how common the problem of ripped and stretched ear lobes is and seeks solutions from jewellers and surgeons

by Rachael Taylor

Museum Worthy: Previewing the Highlights of TEFAF Maastricht 2025

We reached out to the jewellery exhibitors heading to the Netherlands to get a preview of their rarest and most precious creations…

by Sarah Jordan

Sensational Storage: How to Choose the Right Jewellery Box

What types exist, what to look for, which one to give preference to, and how to find the best of the best – for all of this, continue reading…

by Katerina Perez

Arab Deco: Exploring the Latest High Jewellery Collection by Al Zain

Let’s refresh our shared memories of Al Zain through the lens of KaterinaPerez.com and dive into these new creations that are fortuitously timed with the 100th anniversary of Art Deco in 2025…

by Sarah Jordan

Jewellery Obsessed: In Conversation with International Model Farnoush Hamidian

I like to think of this as the first of many articles dedicated to women who are obsessed with jewellery as much as I am

by Katerina Perez

8 Women, 8 Jewels: Female Designers Share their Signatures for International Women’s Day

In honour of International Women's Day 2025, which has the theme #AccelerateAction, we reached out to eight female designers and asked them to share the piece that best exemplifies their design style

by Sarah Jordan

Feminine Energy: Navigating the World of Jewellery with Marceline Paris Founder Anne-Marie Le Flanchec

This is a woman who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to follow her instincts

by Sarah Jordan

Academy Awards: The Best Jewellery of the Oscars 2025 

As the great finale of awards season, the Oscars is the culmination of all the glamour, colours, trends and finery we’ve seen over the last three months. Let’s take a closer look…

by Sarah Jordan

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Nature’s Folio:The Boucheron Untamed Nature High Jewellery Collection

Be prepared to feel transported to the French countryside, somewhere in the 19th century, armed with only a graphite pencil and the very earliest monochrome camera…

by Sarah Jordan

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.