Evening journal., 1897-06-22
CONTEMPORARY OPINION.
YIcToRIA,s THREE CROWNS

NlCTORIA'S THREE CROWNS.
The only crown that is likely to be
used during the stately functions of the
commemoratiOn is the tiara, which is
familiar to this generation Ia sketches
of the queen when holding a drawing
room. This was manufactured by the
state jewellers in 1862 at the personal
cost OF her majesty, and, in general
terms may be said to weigh eight troy
ounces 1t is a light shell of gold, en-
tirely incrusted with diamonds, and
comprises 2.673 brilliants, besides 523
rose diamonds, making an aggregate OF
8, 1876 stones. IL is retained in the
charge of the sovereign, Of whom It is
a personal possession, and to all intents
and purposes never requires any at
tention. IL was specifically devised for
use in conjunction with a veil, and,
apart from the drawing-rOoms, has
scarcely been used at all.
This crown was preceded in point o!
time by a diadem or circlet of gold
choicely bejeweled. which was made
for the queen in 1858. The stones used
on this occasion. which are wholly dla-
monds, were in the main crown jewels
and the diadem will therefore remain
the property of the crown, although the
cost of mounting them for the use OF
her majesty was borne out Of the privy
purse. This diademi is technically known
as a circlet, surmounted by the cross
patee (whereof the Maltese cross is a
decoration variant) and the fleur-de-lis
The general effect of this crown is eX-
ce.lently shown in the current coinage
In which II is half-cOncealed by veil
which was not worn In the earlier years
of the reign, when this form of circlet
was in ordinary use; and, indeed, ther'
would seem to be some doubt as tC
whether the particular form of cOronef
depicted on the present coin issues ha.
ever been adopted by the queen in ac
tual use at all II was this diadem, ant
another of a like shape Onat preceded
It, which we're used when her majesty
opened or prorogued Parliament, ant
also on such occasions as the marriage
OF the princess royal.
On every. occasion on which thr
queen visited the House OF Lords tn
state crown was taken out of the ne
gala room in the Tower OF London AM
was borne before her on a cushion
Except for this purpose, the crown ha
only left the tower on two occasion
/ UullhE lnt Aoi ANptAiA AoRAh
part of the setting having becom
loosened) and once in order to modif
the ermine. The crown has never bee
actually worn by the queen at an
function whatever since the act of cor
onation, sixty years ago, and there
nothing in. the episodes of the forth
coming cOmmemOration that will n
quire its removal from the tower. Tn
state crown was made for the queen b
Messis. Rundell & Bridge, (the prede
cessors of Garrards, the present holder
of the appointment) and its cOnstruC
tion is familiar history. II may, how
ever. be interesting at this juncture {
say that the estimated value at tha
time OF fits stones--comprising2 ,7S3 dis
monds, 277 pearls, 16 sapphires.
emeralds and 4 rubies, was G112,76l
apart from the priceless ruby whic
belonged to Edward, the Black Prime
and the large sapphire purchasd b
George ~. In the opinion of compete1
experts the stones still have an intriI
, sic worth Of a like sum, even il no "a
count be taken of the value that woul
attach to their illustrious association
St James Gazette.