FAMOUS JEWELS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

FAMOUS JEWELS.

ROMANTIC GEMS.

THEIR SUPERSTITIONS.

With the coming of the stately dress modes, the lavish wearing of beautiful jewels is becoming general, and at court and season functions to-day rare and beautiful gems in wonderful settings are always to be seen adorning the women. Led by Queen Mary herself, the peeresses of Britain possess and wear some of the rarest and most valuable and historic gems in the whole world. Let me tell you of some of the most famous and picturesque of these charming and romance-inspiring adornments, says a writer in "The Queen." The Queen not only loves beautiful jewels, but is accepted as an expert in the selection and valuation, for, as with her many other collection interests, Her Majesty studies all the value-points of her gems, and insists also on verifying any history that may attach to them. Apart from the official Royal jewels, Queen Mary possesses a personal collection of rare gems of all kinds, and her jewels are always a matter of wonder to those present at court or State functions. Never does she appear twice with the same gem scheme, and the jewels for each occasion are carefully chosen to be in sympathy with her stately and rich court gowns. Although I do not propose to write about the Crown jewels, I must tell you of a little secret superstition about the one which *is most prominent in the Queen's official regalia. I refer to the famous Koh-i-noor diamond, which lights up the Queen's crown. I have often heard people wonder why such a rare gem should have been placed in the Queen's crown and not in the King's. Well, the reason is that attached to this ancient Indian jewel is one of ; those solemn traditions of the East that if ever it Were worn by a man ruler, the loss of India would be the result. While our Royal .Family is not particularly susceptible to superstition, this one was given way to, and the diamond set in the crown of the Consort.

The Queen's Pearls. The Queen is very fond of pearls, and her Scotch pearl necklaces are adornments of wonder. This partiality to pearls was held also by Queen Alexandra and Queen Victoria, both of whom had many sets assembled over many years from all parts of the world. Other rare jewels of Queen Mary's include an exquisitely carved emerald pendant, which she counts as one of her greatest personal treasures. At one of this year's courts she wore this adornment, with diamonds, with'a golden robe and train with embroideries of semiprecious stones, and the- general effect was of dazzling brilliance. Her Majesty is also steadily building up one of the hnest jade jewel collections in the world. It is kept in a Chippen-. dale cabinet in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace. Many of the pieces, especially some rare creamy jade sets, have been birthday gifts from time to time from the ladies-in-waiting and other intimate friends. The Queen is also very proud of two recent diamond additions to her personal jewellery. They are a magnificent bracelet and drop pendant to match, both very costly pieces, and were the last birthday and Christmas presents of the King. Princess Mary sometimes wears some of the historic Harewood family jewels, and also some of the world-famed collection of rare gems gathered by Lord Clanricarde, but generally the King's only daughter is not greatly fond of rich ornaments, and apart from official functions wears very little in the way of jewels. Opals Fashionable. Despite its reputation for bringing illluck, many famous women of the land wear beautiful opal ornaments. This stone was an especial favourite of Queen Victoria's, and she gave eaah of her daughters, on marriage, a fine set of opals and diamonds. A diamond of great value that is only rarely seen is one known as the Nesca and is an heirloom of the Grosvenor family. This diamond, which is set clear, is as large as a two-shilling piece, flat and bean-shaped, but of perfect colour and purity.

The Duchess of Westminster sometimes wears it as a pendant, but it has an adjustable attachment, and can be worn in a spiked crown for official occasions, when it shows to full. advantage. This Westminster Duchess' crown is a very high, upstanding affair,' with immense, brilliant drops. Another "family" ornament for wear by the Duchess of Westminster is a fine emerald and.diamond tiara set in platinum, a very costly piece of jewellery. The Duchess of Norfolk has a crown in the form of a chaplet of oak leaves with acorns here and there, each acorn being a diamond -the size of a large hawthorn berry. For state occasions the Duchess of Sutherland wears a historic crown that was worn by her famous predecessor, Harriet, Duchess of. Sutherland. The Duchess of Portland wears a big square gem known as the Portland Diamond, and which ornaments the centre of her. splendid diamond crown. Of greater interest, however, is the Duchess' famous pearl necklace, which has a romantic history. The pearls, a string of matchless gems, were a gift of William 111. to the Earl of Portland for risking almost certain death from smallpox in order to save the Royal life. The necklace had adorned the Queen's neck on many occasions, and when the presentation was made the Queen herself took the pearls from her. throat and handed them to the faithful servant.