There are few people in the world who can claim to have a jewelry collection the size and value of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Crown Jewels are often seen as Elizabeth’s most prized possessions, but are in fact generally regarded as part of the Royal Collection, and are not technically the property of the Queen herself. Elizabeth II does, however, possess a substantial jewelry collection of her own, the majority of which is stored under lock and key in a large vault deep below Buckingham Palace, and includes a huge number of elaborate and precious tiaras, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. This personal collection has an estimated value of over $60 million, with a particular highlight being a 352.50-carat spinel known as the Timur Ruby, which was originally presented to Queen Victoria by the East India Company.

Other famous items owned by Queen Elizabeth II include the Prince Albert Brooch - a giant sapphire which was given to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert the day before they married, and a series of large Cullinan diamonds.

What exactly is owned outright by Her Majesty, and what is part of the Royal Collection (and must be held in trust for her successors) can sometimes be a blurred issue. You can, however, learn more about this by visiting the website www.royalcollection.org.uk

Many of the older items have been in the Royal Family for generations, and have been taken apart and reset over the years to allow them to be worn at 21^st century functions. More information and pictures of items such as these can be viewed in the book ‘The Jewels of Queen Elizabeth’ by Leslie Field (1992), and it’s fair to say that the collection is spectacular, vast and outstanding!