Thursday, August 8, 2013

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: The Williamson Diamond Brooch, 1952



The Williamson Diamond Brooch
Pink and White Diamonds
Cartier, 1952
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II
Some consider the central stone in this brooch to be the finest pink diamond in the world. Certainly when it was mined, it was, and probably ties with the Graff Pink for that honor now.  Weighing 23.6 carats, the diamond was found in Tanzania by geologist Dr. John Williamson who presented the diamond to Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) as a wedding gift in 1947.  In 1948, the diamond was cut by London’s Briefel and Lemer.  Longing to wear the diamond, Queen Elizabeth II commissioned Frederick Mew of Cartier to create a fitting setting for the pink sparkler in 1952.  The result was this unique brooch which remains in Her Majesty’s private jewel collection. 

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