Most of the media described it as a silver brooch with diamonds.
Queen Victoria's journal entry regarding it reveals why she choose this design, and suggests a more personal meaning to the gift than the public would have realised.
Queen Victoria described the brooch as a "sprig of orange flowers" which was based on a brooch which Prince Albert had given her.
The brooch Queen Victoria referred to was part of a suite Prince Albert had assembled over the years, part of which it is said the Queen wore annually on their wedding anniversary. In Queen Victoria's headpiece, some of her children were represented by small green oranges.
For the details see the Royal Collection entry
https://www.rct.uk/collection/65305/headdress-from-the-orange-blossom-parure
Queen Alexandra's brooch was not an exact replica. Queen Victoria noted that it had silver leaves and the flowers were in white enamel, while the stamens and 5 small oranges, representing Alexandra's children, were in diamonds.
The brooch would have sparkled more than I initially realised, as most of the sketches do not give an impression of the diamonds.
This is one exception.
Has anyone ever spotted this brooch in photos of Queen Alexandra?
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