Crowning Glory: The Story Behind the Jewels at King Charles III's Coronation

Imagine a scene straight out of a fashion fairytale - a spectacular ceremony buzzing with excitement and a new king taking center stage. But amidst all the pomp and grandeur, we can't help but swoon over the sparkling stars of the show - the dazzling jewels that graced the newly crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6.

These gems aren't your ordinary baubles; they hold the power to make heads turn and hearts skip a beat. From the crown that could rival any A-list tiara to the scepter that screams confidence and authority, each piece is a symbol of timeless elegance and majestic allure.

St. Edward's Crown

Did you witness the epic moment when King Charles III was crowned with the legendary St. Edward's Crown? But hold up, because that crown wasn't just any old headpiece—it was a heavy-duty symbol of power and responsibility, weighing in at a whopping five pounds!

Just imagine: solid gold and bedazzled with a mind-blowing 444 gemstones, including rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmalines. The four arches, decorated with fleurs-de-lis and crosses pattée, culminate at a monde adorned with 344 rose-cut aquamarines! Talk about bling fit for a king!

This crown has a rich history dating back to the days of Charles II, who rocked it during his coronation in 1661. But get this—the original medieval crown had gotten melted down in 1649 after the unfortunate execution of King Charles I. Luckily, this beauty was crafted to take its place, and it has been chilling in the Tower of London ever since, only making rare appearances for royal coronations. Talk about exclusivity!

The next time you see a picture of King Charles III wearing this bad boy, remember that it isn't just a piece of headwear-it’s a legendary symbol that’s been passed down through the ages, bringing the royal swagger and keeping history alive. It’s also worth a royal fortune at around $57 million.

The Imperial State Crown

At the end of the service, Charles wore the stellar, 1 kg (2.3 lb) Imperial State Crown, which is chock-full of history and gemstone gossip. It features a jaw-dropping 2868 diamonds, all set in swanky silver mounts. We're talking table-, rose-, and brilliant-cut vibes. Add to that some flashy colored stones in gold mounts - think 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and a solid 269 pearls. Now that's what you call major bling.

This includes the whopping 104-carat Stuart Sapphire, the massive 170-carat Black Prince Ruby (which is actually a rad red spinel), and the 317-carat showstopper Cullinan II. Add to that four pearls rumored to have been part of Queen Elizabeth I's earring collection, and a sapphire that used to hang with Edward the Confessor. Yeah, this crown's got stories for days, and with all those amazing stones, jewelry experts have estimated its current value at $3.4 to 5.7 billion.

The Sovereign's Scepter with Cross

The Cullinan I diamond, called the Star of Africa, isn't your typical gem. This Asscher-cut mega-rock weighs an amazing 530.2 carats and holds the title for the world's largest colorless cut diamond. It’s also said to be worth an estimated $400 million!

And where does such a superstar gem call home? None other than the glitzy golden scepter that's made an appearance at every coronation since 1661. So, yeah, this isn't just a fancy stick - it's the ultimate symbol of royal clout.

The Sovereign's Scepter with Dove

There was another scepter involved in the coronation ceremony, this one symbolizing the monarch's spiritual vibes. This bad boy's been part of the game since 1661. It's crafted from a three-part gold rod that's totally decked out with 285 gemstones, including 94 diamonds (both rose- and table-cut stones), 53 rubies, 10 emeralds, 4 sapphires and three spinels. The enameled dove chilling at the top, its wings spread wide, represents the Holy Ghost. So, this scepter isn't just another pretty piece of royal hardware. It's a deep dive into the spiritual side of royalty. Talk about a statement piece!

The Sovereign’s Orb

The Sovereign's Orb, a swanky piece from Charles II's coronation, is a gold globe rocking a cross on top, all wrapped up in a bling-bling band of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls. Plus, it's got a huge amethyst chilling at the peak. This stunner isn't just for show - it's all about repping Christian sovereignty.

The Sovereign’s Ring

The Sovereign’s Ring boasts a blue octagonal sapphire set in gold, overlaid with five rubies arranged into a cross, a nod to the St. George's cross seen on the English flag. This piece of bling is a gorgeous halo design, with 14 cushion-cut diamonds in the halo and an accent diamond on each shoulder.

The Queen Consort's ring, rocking a ruby set in gold, was crafted for King William IV and Queen Adelaide's joint coronation in 1831. It had its fair share of royal fingers - worn by Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, who later became known as the Queen Mother.

If you’re blown away by the glittery grandeur of these heavenly halos, you’ve got affordable options that are just as magnificent! For instance, The Lenny is nonstop glamor with its fiery halo and pave band while The Kylie totally channels royal vibes with its fiery brilliance and diamond-encrusted band.

Queen Mary’s Crown

Queen Camilla wore Queen Mary's Crown, a super-fancy piece made for Mary, Charles' great-grandma, and her hubby George V, for their coronation back in 1911. Buckingham Palace is making it clear that this is the first crown-recycling move since the 18th century - talk about vintage chic and being eco-cool!

This crown, sporting a cool 2,200 diamonds, now flaunts the 94.4-carat pear-cut Cullinan III and the 63.6-carat square-cut Cullinan IV diamonds. Both of them are iconic Asscher cuts that Queen Elizabeth used to wear as brooches, and said to be worth a cool $50 million combined.

Here’s a bit of trivia for you: Camilla rocking the Queen Mary Crown was more than just a fashion statement. She declined to wear the Queen Mother's crown, which houses the notorious 105-carat Koh-i-noor diamond, one of the world's largest and most scandal-ridden rocks. In 1849, India was pressured into handing it over to the British when Punjab got annexed, and a spokesperson for India’s ruling party recently said the diamond's use would just stir up "painful memories of the colonial past."

The Jeweled Sword of Offering

Finally, get ready to meet the Jewelled Sword of Offering! It was crafted for the ultra-luxe coronation of George IV in 1821. Talk about historic bling!

This sword is decked out with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, plus it's got a touch of national spirit with decorations of roses, thistles, and shamrocks. The monarch offers this flashy piece at the altar and then it's symbolically bought back for a cool 100 shillings. Now that's a royal transaction!

Conclusion

So, there you have it, a trip through some of the most dazzling bling ever crafted for the monarchs of England. Sure, these sparkling symbols of power and majesty are strictly for the royals, but who's to say you can't sport some jaw-dropping jewels yourself?

With Keyzar, you've got the power to design your own dream ring. From the center stone to the metal and the setting, every aspect is customizable. Why settle for ordinary when you can go full-on royal?

Hop online and start designing. Whether it's a sapphire that makes you feel like you're channeling the Stuart Sapphire or even a diamond that whispers of the Cullinan II, it's all at your fingertips.

Remember, just because the crown jewels are out of reach doesn't mean you can't have a piece of extraordinary elegance. With Keyzar, you can create a ring that will make you feel like royalty every time you slip it on. After all, everyone deserves to have their own crown jewel!