After 300 years of ruling Russia, the Romanov Dynasty had amassed the finest collection of jewels of any royal house in Europe. Besides the central core of their collection, individual members of the Russian Royal Family also had endless jewels of the finest quality. Most of the core collection was seized by the Revolutionary Government, but many of the private jewels made their way into sale rooms throughout Europe including London. Like a hawk, Queen Mary watched for bargain purchases; when she saw a really fine jewel she could not live without, she maneuvered behind the scene to acquire it–very often at a very reasonable price. Many of the jewels the Queen wears today have Russian history. Actually, it is an amazing story. Here is an “inventory” photograph of the Russian State Jewels put on display by the Bolsheviks after 1918. I will add a few images of the Tsarina and others wearing their magnificent jewels.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
