History of Famous Jewels and Collections: Re: Queen Victoria's Regal circlet and the Koh-i-noor

My only two points I think I can now add are the weight of the brooch on the anthemon must have been considerable or if it was removed from the brooch setting however still a weighty piece.

Secondly it must have been quite an ugly coronet.

Lastly I'm surprised if it ever had been configured as such some major record as in a picture or portrait would have featured it. Perhaps in the end it never appealed to have been worn in that configuration.

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We know that Queen Victoria's Regal circlet was designed to take 4 Honeysuckle elements and the Koh-i-noor in place of the crosses and fleur de lys when so desired.

It has been argued that the Honeysuckle elements in the tiara which the Countess of Wessex wore for her wedding are the Honeysuckle elements from the Regal circlet.

As these elements seem to fit the shapes in the case designed to hold the circlet, I accept that is likely.

What has intrigued me is how the Koh-i-noor would have been mounted.

The specification says

and later

which suggests to me that only the large diamond with its surround of small rose diamonds was used when worn in the tiara and that the brooch setting was not used.

In my opinion the only possible element on which to mount the Koh-i-noor would be the bottom section in the centre of the Countess' tiara.

I don't think that the Koh-i-noor would have looked aesthetically pleasing above that element. Or have I misunderstood what was written in the Garrard ledger?

Has any one got any opinions on this?