The Washington herald., 1911-02-27

The grandeur OF the whole thing is un-
imaginable. reminding one of the stories
of ones childhood and the jewels massed
in heaps waiting the first conner on the
floor OF Aladdin's cave"
It is thus that one who has been priv
iIeged TO make a close inspection OF the
late King Edwards crown describes that
important item in the crown jewels; and
some idea of the magnifcence OF the
crown which will be worn by King George
in the forthcoming coronation may be
gathered from the fact that the ISIS dia-
monds, 2T pearls, besides many other
jewels, which formed King Edward s
crown, will be added two sapphires, fifty
monds.
The design of King Georges crown will
be practically the same as that OF King
Edward. which, in turn, was replica OF
the crown worn by Queen Victoria at
her coronation in 1858. The royal crowns
are remade for each coronation This IS
necessary, OF course, on account Of the
difference in the sizes OF the heads of the
monarchs King Edwards measured from
temple to temple just ~ inches. and
from the forehead to the back of the
head 6la inches. the height being 81
inches. King Georges head is slightly
smaller. and IN addition he has desired
that a place be found for portion of
the CuIlinan diamond, called the Star of
Africa The larger portion of the dia-
mond win be added to the scepter which
King George holds during the coronation
ceremony.
1t IS probable that the smaller portion
@alr he
place OF the Prince Regent sapphire,
Immediately beneath the BLACK Prince"
ruby, the great egg-shaped jewel which
was worn in his helmet by the Black
Prince in many battles, including Crecy
and Poitiers, the great sapphire being
transferred to the back of the crown.
When the CuIlinan diamond. which, be-
fore cutting, was no less than one and
one-quarter pounds in weight, was cut
into two portions, a great number of
smaller diamonds were made from its
'.shavings," which were set in various
designs for the use of Queen Alexandra.
The Kings crown is one gorgeous mass
of Jewels, and so closely set that It is
almost impossible to see anything OF the
frame or gold setting. The base Of the
crown. two inches in depth. is formed
of a bandeau of large round pearls and
vari-colored jewels. Above are four
great arches, which spring from the
pearl-rimmed bandeau and surmount the
purple-crimson velvet cap. These arches
are masses of splendid diamonds, which
give the impression of being thrown on
in great heaps. Then comes the orb.
which supports the st. Andrews cross,
both being composed of single-stone
diamonds Of the finest water.
Perhaps two of the most interesting
Jewels in the Kings crown are Queen
Elizabeth's earrings, two pear-shaped
pearls, which were brought out from
among the disused Crown jewels by spe-
cial command of King Edward to adorn
the crown at his coronation. Exactly
as worn by the Virgin Queen at her own
coronation, in 1858. these Jewels were, by
King Edwards order. left untouched and
fastened high on each side of the arches
of the crown and directly under the orb.
Queen Alexandra's crown was COM
posed entirely of diamonds, not a single
coIored stone finding it's way into the
design. 1t is possible that Queen Mary
VIII follow the same plan. Many dia-
rronds.. privately owned by Queen Alex
andra, were momentarily removed from
their settings and inserted in the crown
A few OF the Crown diamonds. including
the Koh-i-noor. were brought into requi-
sition. and the Crown jewelers. temper
ariiy supplied any deficiency. After the
coronation Queen Aiexandra's crown was
taken TO pieces. The Koh-i-noor again
was free to be set as a brooch or pen
dz1t for Queen Aiexandra's use. while