One of the finest and most comprehensive collections of jewels in the world displayed illustrating the development of Western Jewelry over the last 800 years, designs from the great jewelry houses of the 20th century and jewels designed by contemporary makers.

The collection included the Townshend collection of rings, 145 gems catalogued by A H Church, includes gems donated from the Hope family collection known for the Hope diamond .

Jeweled pendants given by Queen Elizabeth I of England to her courtiers.

Diamonds worn by Catherine The Great of Russia.

Age of Napoleon represented by the beauharnaid Emerald set the gift of Napoleon to his adopted daughter and by tiaras and ornaments worn by Josephine.

Displays include a superb group of jewelry by the famous French art nouveay designer Rene Lalique – styled in the and style of nature and Lady Mountbattens Tutti Frutti Ruby Sapphire Emerald and Diamond Bandaue which she bought from Catier in 1928.

New york collector and dealer Patricia V Goldstein
2 Diamond tiaras by Cartier
Rare pilique a jour anamel and pearl bracelet by Boucheron
Gold chaumet bangle with a core of rubies and diamonds
Faberge’s enamel snuff box with a diamond monogram of Tsar Nicholas II
Also among the donated was the Papillon Butterfly Ring by Beyonce.

All of the seen jewels are of historic importance and covers a period of 800 years long before treatments and enhancements to stones were made and jewelry in its purest form.

A must see when visiting the V& A next !