Top Facts About The UK Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels are a collection of historic treasures passed down through generations of British monarchs. They are not just symbols of royalty but also hold significant historical, cultural, and symbolic value within history.  Amongst the sparkling diamonds of the heavyweight Imperial State Crown, each piece tells a unique story about the monarchy and the nation's history.

The Crown Jewels include crowns, sceptres, swords and orbs, all used in the coronation ceremony of a new monarch, as seen in May 2023 at King Charles III's coronation. The collection also includes a variety of tiaras, necklaces, and other pieces of jewellery that have been worn by queens and other members of the Royal family at various state occasions and events.

The collection is a testament to the enduring power and influence of the British monarchy, and it continues to be a symbol of national identity and pride.

I have been fascinated by the majestic splendour of Britain’s crown jewels since my first job in jewellery, as an 18 year old at Collingwood of Bond Street, which at the time was honoured to have four Royal Warrants.  I subsequently moved on and worked for many years at Asprey and later at Garrard which were both jewellers to the Royal Family.  My interest and knowledge of the Crown Jewels was increased by access to the original designs and paperwork housed in Garrard’s archives.  When I worked as Heritage Director at Garrard, I loved to take our VIPs and special guests on tours of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London  

In the following sections, we will highlight the top gems of the British Crown Jewels, focusing on the key facts on the nation's treasurers. 

Where are the Crown Jewels kept? 

They are kept in an armed, state-of-the-art vault in the Jewel House at the Tower of London, which you can visit. The Tower of London has been the primary location for housing and displaying the British Crown Jewels for centuries.

The Jewel House is a secure facility within the Tower complex where visitors can view the Crown Jewels, including crowns, sceptres, orbs, swords, and other ceremonial items used by British monarchs during coronations and other state occasions. The Crown Jewels attract millions of visitors to the Tower of London each year, making them one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United Kingdom. 

The old crowns or frames of crowns, which are not so valuable, are on display in the nearby Martin Tower, which was the original Jewel House.

The Honours of Scotland are tucked away in the heart of Edinburgh Castle, locked in the Crown Room, an armed, state-of-the-art vault.  We will talk about these later on. 

How much are the Crown Jewels worth? 

The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are considered priceless they are meaningful and sacred items.  They are often described as being of "incalculable" value due to their historical significance, craftsmanship, and cultural importance. While individual estimates of the value of the Crown Jewels vary widely, it's safe to say that their worth is astronomical, given the rarity and quality of the gemstones, precious metals, and historical significance they possess.  

However, they are not sold or traded, and their primary value lies in their role in British monarchy and heritage.  But if they were ever broken apart and put onto the market, they could be valued anywhere from £1.6 - £3 billion pounds in total.

Have the Crown Jewels ever been stolen? 

Colonel Thomas Blood, illustration c. 1813; public domain

There have been attempts to steal the Crown Jewels throughout history, but fortunately, none have been successful in taking the entire collection.

Only once, back in 1671 when members of the public could solicit a private tour, was a cunning theft attempted. Irish daredevil Colonel Thomas Blood, and his accomplices beat the Keeper to the floor.  They seized the State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre with Cross, and tried to shoot their way out of the Tower, but were all captured.  The Jewels were restored, although the crown was flattened. Colonel Blood was arrested and narrowly escaped execution due to a pardon from King Charles II, possibly due to his charm and audacity.

Following his pardon, Blood was not only spared from execution but was also awarded land in Ireland and granted a pension. He lived out the remainder of his life, continuing to involve himself in various schemes and intrigues. Colonel Thomas Blood died peacefully in his bed in 1680. His daring attempt to steal the Crown Jewels remains one of the most audacious acts in British history.

Since then, security measures at the Tower of London and other locations where the Crown Jewels are kept have been significantly increased to prevent theft. Today, the Crown Jewels are safeguarded by advanced security systems and a dedicated team of guards to ensure their protection.

Are the Crown Jewels fake? 

No, the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are real. However, as was the custom in previous centuries, diamonds were hired for coronations, so a few of the old unworn crowns have had their original diamonds and gems replaced with replicas which you will read about below. The gems in the Crown Jewels were examined in an exhaustive inventory in 1980 by experts from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A), who were able to categorise their type and quality.

What are the Honours of Scotland? 

The Scottish Crown, photo credit Historic Environment Scotland

The Honours of Scotland are the Scottish Crown Jewels which are held at Edinburgh Castle when not in use for ceremonial occasions.  The regalia used during the coronation of Scottish monarchs. They consist of three primary items:

• The Crown: Made in 1540 for James V of Scotland, it is adorned with gemstones and pearls.
• The Sceptre: Crafted in the 15th century, it features a golden globe and cross.
• The Sword of State: Also dating back to the 15th century, it symbolises the monarch's role as the protector of the Church.

The Jewels comprise the oldest ‘active’ crown in Europe, a Sword and Sceptre, the ancient Stone of Destiny, as well as some secondary items of regalia - Charles II’s coronation ring, the Lorne Jewels, the St Andrew Jewel, the Great George & Collar and a mysterious silver wand, whose purpose is unknown.

Why were the Honours hidden? 

The Honours were hidden to protect them from being seized or destroyed during times of political unrest or invasion. One notable instance of their concealment occurred during the reign of Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century. When Cromwell's forces invaded Scotland and the monarchy was abolished, the Honours were hidden to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. A second time, when they were locked away in a chest in the depths of Edinburgh Castle after the Union of Scotland and England in 1707, they were not rediscovered until August 1822, by Sir Walter Scott.  It was thanks to his tireless efforts to find them and restore the beauty and romance of the lost treasures of Scotland that they were recovered.  They are now on display in Edinburgh Castle for visitors to marvel at. 

Entrance to Edinburgh Castle, photo by author

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