![Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sits during her meeting with the French President at the Elysee Palace in Paris on June 5, 2014](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0527-02-williamson07.jpg?resize=1200%2C763&ssl=1)
We’re nearly halfway through our Platinum Jubilee countdown of ten of the Queen’s most sparkling platinum jewels, and today we’re marveling at a magnificent Cartier brooch that features a very special diamond.
![Princess Elizabeth of England and Prince Philip are seen on their wedding day 20th November 1947, in London](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021-0610-01-edinburgh01.jpg?resize=1200%2C1531&ssl=1)
When Princess Elizabeth married the Duke of Edinburgh in November 1947, her royal wedding gifts included some truly remarkable jewels. Among the most special pieces given to her was an incredibly rare pink diamond. The gemstone had been discovered in Tanzania earlier the same year. The owner of the mine, Canadian geologist John Thoburn Williamson, decided to present the uncut pink diamond to the princess as a wedding present. The rough stone weighed in at 54.5 carats.
![Princess Elizabeth of England, (R) and Queen consort of the United Kingdom Mary of England (L) visit a diamond-cutting factory on March 10, 1948 at Clerkenwell in London](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0527-02-williamson02.jpg?resize=1200%2C1520&ssl=1)
The presentation of such a magnificent, important diamond that had not yet been cut gave Elizabeth the opportunity to decide how she wanted the gem to be used. To help her, she recruited a very experienced royal jewelry expert: her grandmother, Queen Mary. The two of them collaborated on a plan for the gem. Above, in March 1948, Mary and Elizabeth make a joint visit to Briefel and Lemer, the diamond-cutting factory in Clerkenwell Green where the stone was being shaped. Queen Mary, true to form, reportedly asked a whole lot of questions during the visit.
![The Williamson brooch lent by Her Magesty Queen Elizabeth II on show at the Cartier: The Exhibition Media Preview at the National Gallery of Australia on March 28, 2018 in Canberra, Australia](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0527-02-williamson01.jpg?resize=1200%2C1554&ssl=1)
After the cutting process was finished, the resulting stone weighed in at 23.6 carats. Now, Elizabeth had to decide how the stone should be set. She turned to her parents’ favorite jewelry firm, Cartier, to create a suitable setting. After considering various options—placing it in a diadem, or perhaps a necklace—she decided to have the stone placed in a brooch. The new platinum brooch, made in the shape of a jonquil flower, was designed by Frederick A. Mew of Cartier’s London branch. An additional 203 white diamonds were used to craft the jewel.
![Undated picture of Queen Elizabeth II with young Prince Charles and Princess Anne, taken in an unknown location](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0527-02-williamson03.jpg?resize=1200%2C1714&ssl=1)
Work on the new brooch was completed in the Queen’s coronation year, 1953. The piece quickly became one of her very favorites, and she has used it over the years for a variety of different kinds of occasions. She’s worn the piece for family portraits, like this iconic image, captured by Marcus Adams in 1954, which features her with her two eldest children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
![Queen Elizabeth II of England laughs as she leaves St. George's Chapel in Windsor castle after the wedding of Sophie Rhys-Jones and her son Prince Edward 19 June 1999](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0527-02-williamson06.jpg?resize=1200%2C1754&ssl=1)
She’s worn the brooch over the years for family weddings as well, including the nuptials of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, and the wedding of the Earl of Wessex and Sophie Rhys-Jones in June 1999 (pictured above).
![General Francisco Craveiro Lopes (1894 - 1964), the President of Portugal, leaves Westminster Pier for Buckingham Palace by coach, with Queen Elizabeth II, 25th October 1955](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0527-02-williamson04.jpg?resize=1200%2C1553&ssl=1)
The brooch has also frequently been worn for state occasions. Here, in October 1955, she wears the brooch for an official welcome ceremony during President Francisco Craveiro Lopes of Portugal’s state visit to Britain.
![Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris on June 5, 2014](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0527-02-williamson05.jpg?resize=1200%2C1568&ssl=1)
Here, in June 2014, she wears the brooch at the Élysée Palace in Paris during a state visit to France.
![Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip arrive at St Pauls Cathedral, for Thanksgiving service, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee, Tuesday 7th June 1977](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0527-02-williamson08.jpg?resize=1200%2C1762&ssl=1)
And, relevant to our recent interests, she wore the brooch in June 1977 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for a service of thanksgiving celebrating her Silver Jubilee. (The outfit she wore for this service will soon be going on display in a special exhibition in Scotland!)
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