They were family jewels which she wore for her wedding in June 1888.
And also for her presentation at Court as a married lady in 1889.
I suspect that the emeralds were Carew family jewels (as opposed to her birth family: Lethbridge), because there are reports of the Dowager Lady Carew wearing emeralds at Court functions.
Dowager Lady Carew at a Court Drawing Room in June 1865 wearing emeralds.
According to the National Portrait Gallery UK the image below was published in 1889, so around the time of the Court Presentation.
The Carew Spinel is, of course, ruby coloured, so when combined with emeralds, Julia Carew would have presented a colourful sight. It was a Lethbridge family piece. Julia Carew left it to her sister for use in her life and then to the South Kensington Museum. (Obviously Julia Carew's will was written before the Museum was split in two and the V & A became a separate identity.)
Some more information on the emeralds and the spinel.
Julia Carew received the spinel from her mother as a wedding gift,
as well as the earrings and the diamond shamrock brooch from her husband. The shamrock brooch was frequently mentioned in the press as being worn to day time events, particularly those linked to Irish events.
I am sure that, some where I read, that the diamond butterfly brooch was also a wedding gift, but I cannot find that cutting at present.
None of these appears to have descended through the subsequent heirs to the title. (Julia and her husband didn't have any children.) The next Lady Carew who appeared wearing evening jewels in press photos was Sylvia, Lady Carew.
Initially, I thought that the diamond stars in her tiara were those worn by Julia Carew, but closer examination proved that they are very different stars.
Sylvia at the 1953 Coronation.
Sylvia in 1938.
If I get more time today, I will explain what has happened to most of the major jewels worn by Julia Carew.
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