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A guess Posted by J-F on September 26, 2018, 8:39 am Hello ! Long time not posting here. Hope everyone is well! I think the exact origin of that small and delicate pearl and diamond brooch is unknown. The oldest photo of it beeing worn is by Queen Mary. Looking at Victoria, Duchess of Kent photos, I noticed that Queen Victoria's mother wore a brooch that may be this one. We can't know for sure, because the photos are too small and unclear. But a possibility ? What do others think ? J-F

Re: A guess Posted by mauriz on September 26, 2018, 3:41 pm, in reply to "A guess" More than a possibility, I think!

Re: A guess Posted by MarcA on September 26, 2018, 5:24 pm, in reply to "Re: A guess" I’m going to say yes but that’s usually means it’s not! I wonder who has it now. Previous Message More than a possibility, I think!

Re: A guess Posted by Beth on September 26, 2018, 8:37 pm, in reply to "Re: A guess" Well spotted J-F! I think it is a match. Because of the limitations imposed by the old photos it is impossible to be 100% sure but a wavy pattern very like that in Queen Mary's brooch can be seen. Marc, Queen Mary's brooch has been worn on a few occasions by QEII. I suspect it is still with her. In her journal Queen Victoria noted how the Duchess of Kent's jewels were divided up, but the record was concerned only with some of the major items - for example the diamond fringe, the amethyst set which even then Queen Victoria said was to be an heirloom, etc.

Re: A guess Posted by MarcA on September 27, 2018, 9:28 pm, in reply to "Re: A guess" Thanks Beth. Do you know how the Duchesses jewels got divided up? A lot of people don’t realise she had two half siblings. Previous Message Well spotted J-F! I think it is a match. Because of the limitations imposed by the old photos it is impossible to be 100% sure but a wavy pattern very like that in Queen Mary's brooch can be seen. Marc, Queen Mary's brooch has been worn on a few occasions by QEII. I suspect it is still with her. In her journal Queen Victoria noted how the Duchess of Kent's jewels were divided up, but the record was concerned only with some of the major items - for example the diamond fringe, the amethyst set which even then Queen Victoria said was to be an heirloom, etc.

Re: A guess Posted by Beth on September 28, 2018, 7:58 pm, in reply to "Re: A guess" Queen Victoria did not provide a list of all the jewels. My understanding is that the Duchess of Kent left everything to Prince Albert and he in turn allowed Queen Victoria to divide the Duchess' jewels. On 18 April 1861 the Queen noted that she was keeping the amethyst and diamond parure and a miniature of George IV. Other diamonds were to be divided between Alice, Lenchen and Louise. The largest row of pearls with earrings and a brooch were to go to Princess Beatrice, and the Duchess's fringe of diamonds was to go to Affie's future wife. Queen Victoria stated that she chose "valuable souvenirs" for Feodore but she did not describe these jewels any further. Other unidentified, less valuable jewels, were divided among the family. Previous Message Thanks Beth. Do you know how the Duchesses jewels got divided up? A lot of people don’t realise she had two half siblings.

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