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Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Beth on May 19, 2019, 7:55 pm For the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor, the Duchess of Gloucester wore her sapphire and ruby choker, brooch and ruby earrings. A closer look at the ruby earrings on another occasion. The Duchess has worn the necklace and brooch combination before, and the brooch several times. Years ago the Duchess had the necklace reset from its original configuration.

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by The Royal Watcher on May 19, 2019, 8:58 pm, in reply to "Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" The Duchess repeated a headband from Trooping the Colour in 1984, and it appears she was wearing the same Brooch then as well!

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Isabelle D on May 20, 2019, 4:32 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" The brooch looks like a set of tie pins. I quite like it! Previous Message The Duchess repeated a headband from Trooping the Colour in 1984, and it appears she was wearing the same Brooch then as well!

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Bryce on May 20, 2019, 7:11 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" Repeats all around for the Duchess as she wore the dress to Ascot in 2018. You see a better view of her bracelet here. Looks like it matches the necklace. https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FDgJAKs3WkAUWjw0.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fregaleyes%2Fstatus%2F1009440119122812928&docid=CpgQRDcQQ6VvaM&tbnid=01u6N0PAQLJrHM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwi-9YeEwKjiAhVRVK0KHXcvBzUQMwhCKAIwAg..i&w=1200&h=961&bih=535&biw=1097&q=duchess%20of%20gloucester%20ascot%20orange&ved=0ahUKEwi-9YeEwKjiAhVRVK0KHXcvBzUQMwhCKAIwAg&iact=mrc&uact=8

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Beth on May 21, 2019, 6:22 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" Well spotted Bryce! I confess I have never noticed the bracelet previously. I would love to know the origin of this set. It looks Victorian to my eye, but I have never seen it on an earlier British royal lady. I wonder what the present Duchess did with the in between elements when she had the necklace reset?

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by LauraM on May 21, 2019, 6:36 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" I have long thought that this necklace, bracelet and brooch combination was assembled from assorted male cufflinks and tiepins that were gifts to or inherited by Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester. No proof but if you look closely at the individual elements that is what I see.

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Beth on May 21, 2019, 6:52 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" It is a very interesting and credible explanation LauraM. I thought that Isabelle D was spot on in suggesting that the brooch was made from tie pins. We can even see the grooves in the sticks -- which were typical of tie pins from former times. As for the necklace and bracelet - the idea that they were made from cuff links and the heads of tie pins certainly explains why we can see pairs of some elements and not of others and the mismatched elements. Congratulations! I think you have solved the mystery.

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Bryce on May 22, 2019, 4:06 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" BINGO Laura ! I was looking at the necklace yesterday and thought it looked a bit constructed (for lack of a better term) with a couple of similar elements here and there. The idea that it is made up of cuff-links and / or shirt studs makes perfect sense and explains the "matching" tie-pin brooch. What a great way to use these masculine jewel elements without having to re-set the stones.

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by LauraM on May 22, 2019, 9:22 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" Thanks Beth and Bryce. The fun part would be to see if we can identify any cyphers or regimental symbols if we had a sufficiently good picture for closeup. LOL Laura

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Bryce on May 23, 2019, 5:04 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" Ha Ha... funny you should say that Laura ... It is exactly what I did. I tried to get a good close-up of the tie-pin brooch...but to no avail. The definition was not good enough to make out any details. But I'll keep trying !

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Beth on May 23, 2019, 6:29 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" Do these help? Neither is brilliant but together they may give a better view. Or do you want better views of the necklace? Previous Message Ha Ha... funny you should say that Laura ... It is exactly what I did. I tried to get a good close-up of the tie-pin brooch...but to no avail. The definition was not good enough to make out any details. But I'll keep trying !

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Bryce on May 23, 2019, 7:28 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" Those are great images - Thanks Beth However, a bit disappointing in that there are no discernible references in the design, They are just pleasant designs but I do not think they are representative of any regiments or organizations. Oh well, it was worth a try. and... Yes please Beth - If you can provide some better close-ups of the necklaces (old and/or new version), I for one (and I am sure Laura for two) would love to see them.

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Beth on May 23, 2019, 9:17 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" Some enlargements from a few photos I have. I have not had time to do any more hunting. Some are not very clear, but they do give us an idea of the elements. The best is the modern photo taken at a garden party a year or so ago. (the last photo)

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Dave on May 20, 2019, 8:56 am, in reply to "Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" The set looks extremely simple yet beautiful, they look antique to me. Thanks Beth for the recap of photos. I wonder if it was a gift from her late mother in law or her husband, or maybe the late QEQM. Regards, Dave. Previous Message For the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor, the Duchess of Gloucester wore her sapphire and ruby choker, brooch and ruby earrings. A closer look at the ruby earrings on another occasion. The Duchess has worn the necklace and brooch combination before, and the brooch several times. Years ago the Duchess had the necklace reset from its original configuration.

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels Posted by Beth on May 21, 2019, 6:26 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" Unless the Gloucesters provide some information it is unlikely that we will ever know as there were no wedding gift lists at the time of their marriage or on any other occasion. Somehow I very much doubt if it would have been a gift from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Previous Message The set looks extremely simple yet beautiful, they look antique to me. Thanks Beth for the recap of photos. I wonder if it was a gift from her late mother in law or her husband, or maybe the late QEQM.

Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire bead bracelet Posted by Beth on May 21, 2019, 6:42 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Gloucester. Sapphire and ruby jewels" Many thanks for posting the photo of the Duchess at the Trooping of the Colour The Royal Watcher. It gave me a good view of the central element in the sapphire bead bracelet, which is rarely seen in photos of the Duchess.

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