Posters of original research, analyses, insights etc retain all rights to their work. Such research etc cannot be used in any format without the written consent of the author.

Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by Beth on September 27, 2021, 5:46 pm For a long time jewellery lovers have mused over the origin of the large brooch with a central orange stone worn by the Duchess of Cornwall. Because the Duchess had been seen wearing jewels which had belonged to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, many speculated that the brooch had belonged to the Queen Mother and also that it might have been a stomacher. All of the pundits speculated on the stone, but none was able to identify it. The brooch did belong to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. HM lent it to the committee organising a charity ball in favour of the Devon St John's Ambulance. The central stone was described as Jacinth, a now defunct term used to describe either an orange zircon or a Hessonite garnet. My guess would be that the stone is a Hessonite garnet, but I realise that only a gemologist who could examine the stone would be able to say with certainty. Because a small loop can be seen at the base of the brooch, many guessed that it formed part of a stomacher, and this is correct. Below is a photo of the brooch as it was when displayed. Despite the poor quality of the published photo, it is clear that the brooch worn by the Duchess of Cornwall and the one lent by the Queen Mother for display are the same item. Comparison photo.

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by Franck on September 27, 2021, 7:35 pm, in reply to "Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Franck Previous Message For a long time jewellery lovers have mused over the origin of the large brooch with a central orange stone worn by the Duchess of Cornwall. Because the Duchess had been seen wearing jewels which had belonged to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, many speculated that the brooch had belonged to the Queen Mother and also that it might have been a stomacher. All of the pundits speculated on the stone, but none was able to identify it. The brooch did belong to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. HM lent it to the committee organising a charity ball in favour of the Devon St John's Ambulance. The central stone was described as Jacinth, a now defunct term used to describe either an orange zircon or a Hessonite garnet. My guess would be that the stone is a Hessonite garnet, but I realise that only a gemologist who could examine the stone would be able to say with certainty. Because a small loop can be seen at the base of the brooch, many guessed that it formed part of a stomacher, and this is correct. Below is a photo of the brooch as it was when displayed. Despite the poor quality of the published photo, it is clear that the brooch worn by the Duchess of Cornwall and the one lent by the Queen Mother for display are the same item. Comparison photo.

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by txrus on September 27, 2021, 11:33 pm, in reply to "Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" Great eye, Beth (or should I call you Nancy Drew-ha!) Now the question is where is the bottom pendant? And, of course, where did QEQM get it?

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by RDavid on September 27, 2021, 11:45 pm, in reply to "Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" Great find Beth! Congratulations!! Previous Message For a long time jewellery lovers have mused over the origin of the large brooch with a central orange stone worn by the Duchess of Cornwall. Because the Duchess had been seen wearing jewels which had belonged to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, many speculated that the brooch had belonged to the Queen Mother and also that it might have been a stomacher. All of the pundits speculated on the stone, but none was able to identify it. The brooch did belong to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. HM lent it to the committee organising a charity ball in favour of the Devon St John's Ambulance. The central stone was described as Jacinth, a now defunct term used to describe either an orange zircon or a Hessonite garnet. My guess would be that the stone is a Hessonite garnet, but I realise that only a gemologist who could examine the stone would be able to say with certainty. Because a small loop can be seen at the base of the brooch, many guessed that it formed part of a stomacher, and this is correct. Below is a photo of the brooch as it was when displayed. Despite the poor quality of the published photo, it is clear that the brooch worn by the Duchess of Cornwall and the one lent by the Queen Mother for display are the same item. Comparison photo.

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by LauraM on September 27, 2021, 11:46 pm, in reply to "Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" Congratulations Beth!

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by LauraM on September 28, 2021, 1:34 am, in reply to "Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" Hi Beth. Could you provide us with the date of the event and the source of the article and photo? Thank you, Laura

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by Franck on September 28, 2021, 2:36 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" Dear Laura, I do understand why Beth did not give /or does not want to give the source of the article and photo.... in the following months it will be published in blogs, on Instagram, in press articles without giving the name of "Beth" as the person who found this discovery. Franck Previous Message Hi Beth. Could you provide us with the date of the event and the source of the article and photo? Thank you, Laura

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by LauraM on September 28, 2021, 2:52 am, in reply to "Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" Fair enough. Previous Message Dear Laura, I do understand why Beth did give /or wants to give the source of the article and photo.... in the following months it will be published in blogs, on Instagram, in press articles without giving the name of "Beth" as the person who found this discovery. Franck Previous Message Hi Beth. Could you provide us with the date of the event and the source of the article and photo? Thank you, Laura

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by The Royal Watcher on September 28, 2021, 7:08 am, in reply to "Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" What a wonderful find Beth! I've always been intrigued by the massive size of this brooch, and it's amazing to know that it is actually larger. I wonder if the pendant portion can be used as a pendant on a necklace, that would make a splendid pairing with the brooch, and make it slightly more wearable!

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by mauriz on September 28, 2021, 5:12 pm, in reply to "Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" Congratulations! That’s a wonderful find!

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by Csaba on September 29, 2021, 3:04 am, in reply to "Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" Thank you very much for this, Beth! You're great! Previous Message For a long time jewellery lovers have mused over the origin of the large brooch with a central orange stone worn by the Duchess of Cornwall. Because the Duchess had been seen wearing jewels which had belonged to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, many speculated that the brooch had belonged to the Queen Mother and also that it might have been a stomacher. All of the pundits speculated on the stone, but none was able to identify it. The brooch did belong to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. HM lent it to the committee organising a charity ball in favour of the Devon St John's Ambulance. The central stone was described as Jacinth, a now defunct term used to describe either an orange zircon or a Hessonite garnet. My guess would be that the stone is a Hessonite garnet, but I realise that only a gemologist who could examine the stone would be able to say with certainty. Because a small loop can be seen at the base of the brooch, many guessed that it formed part of a stomacher, and this is correct. Below is a photo of the brooch as it was when displayed. Despite the poor quality of the published photo, it is clear that the brooch worn by the Duchess of Cornwall and the one lent by the Queen Mother for display are the same item. Comparison photo.

Re: Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone Posted by Dave on September 29, 2021, 9:57 am, in reply to "Duchess of Cornwall. Origin of large brooch with orange gemstone" Just when I thought the late QEQM had no more surprises in or from her jewelry box. I had commented on this peice sometime ago I can't remember if on this board or another one, but I had made an supposition that the stone had looked very similar to a particular stone mined in Scotland and worn by I believe either a clan or an association. I believe I saw it on a YouTube clip. But maybe if this stone is of the same one I had seen sometime ago it may be Scottish and as the late QEQM was Scottish their is the relation. Regards, Dave. Previous Message For a long time jewellery lovers have mused over the origin of the large brooch with a central orange stone worn by the Duchess of Cornwall. Because the Duchess had been seen wearing jewels which had belonged to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, many speculated that the brooch had belonged to the Queen Mother and also that it might have been a stomacher. All of the pundits speculated on the stone, but none was able to identify it. The brooch did belong to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. HM lent it to the committee organising a charity ball in favour of the Devon St John's Ambulance. The central stone was described as Jacinth, a now defunct term used to describe either an orange zircon or a Hessonite garnet. My guess would be that the stone is a Hessonite garnet, but I realise that only a gemologist who could examine the stone would be able to say with certainty. Because a small loop can be seen at the base of the brooch, many guessed that it formed part of a stomacher, and this is correct. Below is a photo of the brooch as it was when displayed. Despite the poor quality of the published photo, it is clear that the brooch worn by the Duchess of Cornwall and the one lent by the Queen Mother for display are the same item. Comparison photo.

« Back to index