Titanium Facts

by Sheweta Dhanuka

Titanium is one of the unique discoveries in the 18th century. It was initially known as Manachite and was retrieved in the impure form. It is an amazing metal, as it possesses the extreme eminence. It is the only metal having the strength of steel but weight comparable to aluminum. Therefore it is best named after Titans of Greek mythology, recognized for their intense strength. The name ‘Titanium’ was given by German chemist, Martin Kloproth. This incredible metal is certainly the perfect blend of strength, lightweight, beauty and biocompatibility. It is quite fortunate that modern jewelry designer identified the artistic benefits of this miraculous metal and created breathtaking jewelries for women as well as men.

The article penned down here aims to provide the reader with best possible information about this interesting metal. The information would comprise of general know-how about the metal all in respect to jewelry. After reading the article readers would know about few incredible benefits of this jewelry metal variant. Also, the article could act as a buying guide that would be helpful to the readers while making the purchase of spectacular Titanium jewelry. Now on in the text, jewelry would refer to as titanium jewelry.It is a known fact that while making the jewelries, metals need to be mixed with alloys so that it is easy to mould and shape the sturdy metal, be the metal is gold, platinum or titanium etc. Gold is least pure while Titanium is most with 90+% purity. If an individual wish to wear pure metal jewelry then this gray metal is best available choice. However, purity is assured only at the reliable or certified jewelry stores. The jewelry market is flooded with cheats therefore buyer should enquire about the reputation of the seller before making the purchase. And also he/she must be aware of few important aspects like CP grade of the jewelry, Aircraft grade and much more.

Titanium Grades

Jewelries are made up of alloyed titanium. The grades are given on the basis of quantities of other elements mixed to make alloys. Grades are categorized into two viz. CP grade and Aircraft grade.

[1] CP Grade

: This grade is known as commercially pure ( CP ) titanium. This variant is well accepted in the industry and is biocompatible titanium grade. It is further rated from 1 to 4. CP Grade 1 is the softest while 4 is the hardest. With the increase of oxygen quantity in the alloy the hardness increases. The most suitable and regarded is CP Grade 2. It has perfect equilibrium between the required hardness and workability. This can be easily refinished, engraved and shaped.

[2] Aircraft Grade

: This titanium grade is created by mixing aluminum, vanadium and tin to create hardness in the alloy. It is also known as Titanium 6.4. This titanium alternate is widely used for making rings but it is not safe. Therefore, World Titanium Council does not endorse this grade. Sometimes, in case of emergency it becomes difficult to remove aircraft grade titanium jewelry especially the rings. Moreover, unlike CP Grade metal, this is very difficult to refinish or engrave. Also due to the alloy contents, it is not compatible to the sensitive skin and leads to allergy. Thus, buyer should always enquire about the grade before buying any jewelry piece. Aircraft grade jewelry should be avoided to every possible extent.

Benefits of using Titanium

This metal possess extreme tensile strength and high ratio between strength and density. Few of its crucial properties make it ideal for jewelry that is corrosion resistance and biocompatible.

Corrosion Resistant

Titanium is a remarkable jewelry metal as it is 100% hypoallergenic. It does not react to oxygen, salt water and sunlight. It is absolutely neutral when comes in touch with human body. It is reaction free with body heat, sweat or body temperature. It has shielding surface layers that provide it exceptional resistance to corrosive harass by sea air, saltwater and certain acids. It seldom responds to electricity, heat and magnets. Thus, people who are sensitive towards other jewelry metal like silver; gold etc must switch to titanium jewelry. This metal jewelry by no means gets tarnish.

Strong and Durable

Almost all jewelries made up of this corrosion free metal have lifetime warranty because the metal is strong and durable. This is ideal for daily wear jewelry pieces and resists all harsh blows and knocks. Even the precious and semi precious gems are most safe when mounted in this durable metal.

Lightweight

Strong like steel and light as Aluminum, best defines this grey coloured metal. This is the most important characteristic being looked upon by the jewelry designers as well as jewelry wearer. Lightweight jewelry implies comfort. Titanium is a noteworthy metal, it can be used with style along with 100% functionality due to its lightweight while other precious metals like platinum and gold has to forfeit on style and functionality in order to reduce the jewelry weight and also the cost.

Refinish

The jewelries that are worn daily are sure to get the scratches in spite of taking umpteen efforts. And when it is titanium ring then obviously it is taken for granted. The best part of these jewelries is that it could be easily refinished at any nearby jeweler at a reasonable cost.

Uses

Human body is well matched to the physiological inertness of titanium therefore; it is used in many medical treatments like in bone and cartilage replacement surgeries. It is also used to make artificial hips, dental implants and heart valves.This implausible metal is very well combined with white gold, yellow gold and platinum to enhance the look of the ornaments. Further, it is very much suitable for diamonds as well. It makes splendid wedding bands for bride and bridegroom too. The wedding rings of this pure metal carry a lot of meaning to the marriage. It symbolizes strong marriage that lasts forever.

Jewelry Finish

The jewelries are given specific look in accordance with the occasion to wear. For example for bride’s wedding ring, it has to have the elegant and graceful look therefore the design need to be creative and innovative with polished/satin finish. For the casual college attire, sporty look jewelry is more preferred thus matte grayish finish gives that needed stealthy appearance and so on. Titanium finishes could be categorized into four viz. polished, satin and anodized.

Polished Finish

This finish gives the look which is close to platinum and surgical steel look. It is certainly far different from white or silver rather nearer to the special metallic glance.

Satin Finish

This finish is referred to brushed or matte finish. It is a precious metal texturing technique that falls between a matte finish and a brilliant one. It could be best defined as the semi-glossy finish by making series of shallow parallel lines scratched on the surface of the metal, reducing its reflectivity and creating the matter texture.

Anodized Finish

It is also called as colorful finish as all colours of rainbow could be created in this finish option. The ‘micronic’ oxide layer that covers the metal is slightly solidified through electric currents at diverse levels. Current at different intensity and duration results in one respective refractive effect that has its specified colour. Hence varied refractive effects are created that appears are different colours. No additional dye or coloring pigment is added. This process seems interesting and attractive but jewelries with anodized finish are very much prone to scratches. And so it requires good amount of care.

Titanium is a lustrous, silver-gray, metallic element and jewelry created using this high silhouette metal is absolutely awesome. It is 100% compatible with the human body or in other words it could be said that as diamonds are females best friend so is titanium to human skin. This versatile metal certainly has a forever resizing policy. A friend for the entire life span with a lifetime guarantee is certainly priceless therefore; titanium jewelry should be must have in the jewelry box. Hope you agree !.

The Jewels Of The British Monarchs

by Ms Nandita Ray

One of the vastly admired and appreciated collections of jewelry belongs to the British Royals. Infatuation and involvement with jewelry by the British Monarchs can be traced way back to the beginning of the Empire. However erotic excitement of beautifying oneself and establishing their exalted status led two consorts Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra create fantastic pieces of jewelry, which still remain to delight the wearer and the beholder.

Fascination with jewelry will never end. From the Pasha to the Lazarus the love for the beautiful baubles knows no boundary. Mortals leave behind their imperishable baubles for posterity to rejoice in. One of the vastly admired and appreciated collections of jewelry belongs to the British Royals. Infatuation and involvement with jewelry by the British Monarchs can be traced way back to the beginning of the Empire. However erotic excitement of beautifying oneself and establishing their exalted status led two consorts Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra create fantastic pieces of jewelry, which still remain to delight the wearer and the beholder.

The British Royal Jewelry consists of famed crowns, tiaras, necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, swords and peerless diamonds and rubies and emeralds, spoon, maces, spurs plate and medals. They are considered property of the Government and cannot be taken out of the country without permission. Some of them are stored in the Tower Of London for public display. This is because the Crown Jewels have had an exciting and riotous history of attempted thefts!

Unbelievable History

It is believed that King John lost the Crown Jewels in quick sand in 1216. While Edward the III pawned most of his jewels in order to pay his angry troops while fighting abroad. James wife pawned the Crown jewels at the beginning of a civil war in Holland. The attempted theft of the Crown Jewels by Col. Thomas Blood was bold and reckless. He was however apprehended at the East Gate of the Tower with the Crown and the Orb and one scepter. This attempt was in 1671. They were hidden underground during World War Two but the exact location was never disclosed.

Crown Jewels

Crown Jewels include the famous crowns, banqueting plates, insignia, robes, coronation spoon, Royal maces, the spurs and famous gems. All these jewels have a unique history behind them and most of them are still used in the coronation of the monarch. Britain is the only European country that has retained this ancient tradition. The racy and thrilling history that surrounds the jewels make them very interesting and appealing. Thus, a little information is imperative since it will go a long way to explain why they are held in such awe. After the execution of Charles the I, the crown jewels were “totally broken”. This was done in order to signify the removable and cessation of the “detestable rule of Kings”. Who else but the traitor Oliver Cromwell had this done! He was after all behind the king’s beheading. Some pieces were sold intact like the Coronation spoon and chain which were later returned to Charles the II. The gold that was smelted was made into coins and the precious stones sold separately.

Royal Regalia

When Charles the II ascended the throne he had the entire lost regalia remade at the cost of 12,185 pounds. They were used for his coronation in 1661. This was possible because a detailed record existed. The regalia consist of 2 of the Royal maces, 3 swords each representing Mercy, Spirituality and Justice, the St. Edwards Staff (1661) and the Sword Of State, symbolizing the Sovereign’s Royal authority. The Ampulla, made from solid gold with 600 precious stones and pearls embedded in it dating from 1661 is a golden flask which holds the holy oil. The anointing the spoon which is considered the oldest surviving item was probably made by Henry II or Richard I .The spurs also ancient, perhaps 1661, represent Knighthood, the gold bracelets representing sincerity and wisdom and the Sovereign’s Orb, which is set with precious stones and pearls for made for Charles I and cost him 1,150 pounds. The coronation ring is also considered very famous. It represents kingly dignity and was made in 1831 for William IV’s coronation. Scepter with the crown atop symbolizes the King’s ephemeral power while the one with the Dove atop symbolizes the king’s spiritual role. The bracelets in the Regalia are 11/2″wide and 21/2′ broad. They are made of solid gold and are lined with deep red velvet. The emblems of the three kingdoms and the symbol of France, Fleur de Lys are enameled on it.

Apart from these jewels used for ceremonies there are famous jewels of the Crown. These are seldom used and are generally stored away.

Edward the Confessor’s Sapphire

This sapphire which is set on the Maltese cross resting atop the Imperial State Crown was worn as a ring by Edward. He was buried with it in 1066. When his tomb was opened in 1101, the sapphire was taken and reset in a crown worn by Henry I.

The Timur Ruby

The Timur Ruby is a magnificent spinel and weighs 325.50 carats. It is inscribed with the names of the several (previous) owners who were all Mughal emperors.

courtesy: www.royalcollection.org.uk

The Agra Diamond

Original owner was the Maharaja of Gwalior a fancy pink (natural) color, cushion cut stone weighing 28.15 carats and 21.10 by 19.94 by 11.59mm. It was given to Humayun after the battle of Panipat. Babur wore it on his turban. When the English came to rule it was smuggled out by them and has been in their possession ever since.

The Imperial crown of India

The Imperial crown of India was first made for queen Victoria weighing 34.5 ounces and studded with 6000 diamonds was last worn by King George who wrote in his diary ‘ wearing it for 31/2 hours caused him great discomfort ‘. So he had a new Imperial crown made for his visit to Delhi, India which has 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies. Famous stones in this crown are the Black Prince’s ruby, weighing 150 carats and 5cmlong and the Cullinan diamond also known as the Lesser Star of Africa.

Kohinoor diamond

The world’s largest cut diamond is now a part of the Royal scepter. While the famous Kohinoor diamond sits perkily on the Queen’s coronation crown which was once ‘valued at half the expense of the whole world’. It was also believed that Kohinoor ‘mountain of Light’ weighing 108.93 carats, was cursed. Male owners would suffer but female owners would rule the world.

St. Edwards Crown

St. Edwards Crown was made in 1661. It is made from pure gold and has four crosses pattee and four fleur-de-tris with two arches on top. It has 444 precious stones and the gold is supposed to have come from Edward the Confessor’s original crown and therefore carries his name. It weighs about 5 pounds.

The State Diadem

The State Diadem made in 1820 for the consort of King George the IV and was used for the coronation of Queen Victoria and Elizabeth the II.
courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Jewels_of_the_United_Kingdom

Crown of Mary of Modena

Crown of Mary of Modena was the queen of James the II and her crown was worn by wives of the following Kings. By the twentieth century it needed renovation and Queen Alexandra the consort of Edward the VII added a new crown with more arches was added to it. However a new crown was made for queen Mary, consort of George the V in 1911.In 1937 the last new crown was made for Queen Elizabeth, the queen mother where the famous Kohinoor diamond was set.Queen Victoria wore a small diamond crown whenever she could as she preferred this to the Imperial crown.

The Cambridge and Delhi durbar Parure

The Cambridge and Delhi durbar Parure is a marvelous set of emerald jewelry that consists of necklace, rings, earrings, bracelet and an emerald diadem.

The Prince Albert Brooch

The Prince Albert Brooch is an enormous sapphire gifted to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert. This is a special gift since it was given to her a day before their wedding.

Queen Mary’s – largeruby earrings

Queen Mary’s – largeruby earrings with its deep red glow astounds the beholder.

The V shaped ruby and diamond bandeau collar

The present queen Elizabeth wore for her photograph on the front cover of the book The Jewels of Queen Elizabeth by Leslie Fields.

The Cullinan Diamonds

The famous diamond cut into smaller gems and gifted by the South African Government to the British Monarchy. It was cut into: –
Cullinan I which is also the second largest cut diamond in the world. It is also the largest of the nine stones cut from the original diamond. It weighs 530.20 carats. It is pear shaped and is 58.9 by 45 by 27.7 millimeters. It has 76 facets. It is set on the Royal Scepter and ii can be removed and used as a pendant. It is lionized as the “Star of Africa”.Cullinan II weighs 317.40 carats and is cushioned shaped and is set in the center front band of the Imperial State Crown of Great Britain.

Cullinan III weighs 94.40 carats and is pear shaped. As the norm goes it can be used as a pin and hangs from Cullinan IV.

Cullinan IV is cushion shaped and set in the crown and can be used as a pendant also. It weighs 60.60 carat.

Cullinan III and IV are known as the “Lesser Stars of Africa”.

Cullinan V weighs 18.80 carats and is triangular pear shaped diamond that is anchored in platinum and this brooch was a part of a very large stomacher that also carries the Cambridge emeralds. Each part of this stomacher can come apart and worn as an individual brooch. It is often worn by Queen Elizabeth II as a brooch.

Cullinan VI marquise cut stone weighing 11.50 carats. It was a gift from Edward to his wife to be Queen Alexandra a day before the wedding. Today Queen Elizabeth uses it as a drop pendant from her diamond and emerald necklace.

Cullinan VII is also marquise cut weighing 8.80 carats and is a piece of jewelry that can alternate as pin or pendant. Queen Mary added it as a pendant to the oval cushion Cullinan diamond VIII.

Cullinan VIII is cushion cut weighing 6.80 carats. It carries the Cullinan VII as a drop.

Cullinan IX is 4.39 carats pear shaped ring in prong setting and once belonged to Queen Mary wife of King Edward. It now belongs to Elizabeth the II.

Queen Mary’s photograph taken in 1919 shows her wearing a platinum and diamond pendant and chain have most of the 96 smaller pieces of the original Cullinan diamond. Queen Elizabeth who inherited this piece rarely wears this since it “gets into the soup”. The Cullinan diamond was presented to King Edward VII in 1908. He had Mr. Asscher to cut it into 9 major gemstones. After the 9 major pieces, 96 carats of unpolished gems were taken by Asscher as payment. They were eventually bought by the King himself. And thus Queen Mary started the process of consolidating them into jewelry for the Royal family.

Other Royal Jewelry

Caroline of Ansbach, consort of George I was a keen collector of jewelry especially cameos and intaglio pieces.

Queen Mary the consort of George V collected jade, lacquer, silver, enamels, rings and Faberge’ items which are part of the famous jewelry of the British Monarchy.

From the rule of Anne till the 20th century it was common to use hired jewels for the use in the crown and other pieces of jewelry during coronation only. Afterwards the gems were returned and the regalia was once again reset with plastic or false stones and set out for public display.

Britain is the only European monarchy that still uses its inherited Regalia. It has been in use since 1660.

When the Imperial State Crown is used, it is removed from its display case and a note is left behind saying “in use”.

The first endeavor to consolidate the jewels and safe keeping them was executed by Edward the Confessor in 1042-66. He stored it in the Westminster Abbey.

The Crown jewels have been locked in the Tower of London since the robbery in 1303.
After the restoration of Charles I, the regalia was kept locked up in the Tower and shown to visitors after payment of a “viewing fee”. This system is still continuing.

After the second attempted robbery an armed guard was appointed.

The visitors were locked in a windowless room as they saw the Regalia.

In 1994 a new block called the “Jewel House” was inaugurated by the present queen where the Crown Jewels are displayed.

The crown Jewels form one of the most famous and the most viewed collection in the world.

The Crown Jewels form a part of the National heritage and is held by the Sovereign.

The Jewels Of The British Monarchs Part IV The Queen of Hearts

by Nandita Ray

Queen Elizabeth II one of the richest women in the world today, with an estimated fortune of 600 billion by Forbes magazine, her personal jewelry is worth 57 million $. This does not include the Crown Jewels.

The land where the sun never sets ultimately started losing its hold on the world. The glamour and the glitz associated with the British monarchy started shredding and the glow dimming. It had become aloof and secluded and left alone by the masses. Then Princess Diana came waltzing into the ivory tower and with her charming grace to become the Queen of Hearts, loved and adored by the world. Princess Di as she was popularly called was known for her easy to adopt hairstyle and her sense of dressing and accessorizing. Unlike her mother in law, the present queen, she was no ice maiden. She was young and vivacious. What an upheaval it created there! Her love for life and her attitude, her conduct was absolutely different from her Royal in laws. Her friends were pop stars and actors, her work involved the slums, the poor, the sick and stepping out from the pristine surrounding she stooped to conquer the world with her amazing grace, delicate beauty and sad blue eyes. It was difficult to slot her and like her, her jewelry collection ranged from her from sapphire ring and family heirlooms to pearls and costume jewelry! Diana is known for her simplistic style.

Before I talk about Diana, Queen Elizabeth II must be included because she remains one of the richest women in the world today, with an estimated fortune of 600 billion by Forbes magazine, her personal jewelry is worth 57 million $. This does not include the Crown Jewels.

Queen Elizabeth the II

The present monarch, who recently became the longest serving English monarch, has her jewels stored in an underground chamber which is as large as an ice rink. It is 40 feet underground. Most of her personal jewels are gifts. It is believed that she favors pearls though she has some of the world’s finest and rarest diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Amongst her famous collection worthy of mention are: –

• Timur Ruby: – the famous spinel weighing 325.50 carats.
• The Cambridge & Delhi Durbar Parure: – a set of necklace, earrings, bracelet and a small diadem made with ace emeralds.
• The Prince Albert Brooch: – Victoria presented her with this brooch which was given to Victoria by Prince Albert a day prior to their wedding.
• Queen Mary’s: – large ruby earrings
• Ruby and Diamond Bandeau: – which the queen wears often.
• Engagement ring: – designed by Prince Philip. It has a diamond taken from the tiara of his mother. It is a solitaire diamond weighing 3 carats. She wears it always. She is not a very fond of finger rings though.
• The Cambridge Lover’s knot Tiara: – with its prestigious history of having been worn by Duchess of Cambridge 1810 and the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg – Strelitz in 1890, Queen Mary in 1926, Queen Elizabeth II in 1955 and also worn by the late Princess Diana. It also has a matching bow shaped diamond brooch.
• Queen Mary’s “Rose of York” ruby and diamond bracelet: – it was a pendant which has been reset into a bracelet.
• Queen Mary’s Russian fringe necklace: – tiara mounted in gold and silver and set with diamonds. This tiara is made in such a way that when the clasp at the back is unhinged from the frame, the tiara can be turned into a necklace. It contains diamonds from the collection of King George III. This was made by Garrard and is based on a Russian prototype and is extremely popular with the Queen having worn it a number of times.
• The Grenville Chandelier earrings: – and the King George VI Festoon Necklace gifted by her parents on her wedding. The earrings with drop diamond have every known modern cut of diamonds at that time.
• The Goodman necklace: – consists of seven large emeralds and 3 smaller ones set on a platinum filigree base sprinkled with diamonds. This once belonged to the famous naturalist Goodman in 1890. After his death his daughters offered it to the Queen thinking it once belonged to the Queen Josephine of France.
• Mary Opphenheimer: – gave her a 6 carat blue and white diamond of flawless quality for promoting Anglo American monopoly. This enhanced the prestige of diamonds when they were running low.
• Queen Victoria’s: – bow shaped brooch which she generally wears on the left hand side
• Prince Philip: – gave her a brooch on their 5th wedding anniversary. It consists of interlocking alphabets E and P, the Prince’s naval badge set in diamonds and roses made with diamonds and rubies in memory of Queen’s father.
• The Nizam of Hyderbad: – presented her with a flat platinum necklace with a double drop pendant set with 13 diamonds. The pendant can be detached from the necklace and is made up with 38 brilliant cut open back brackets.
• Wedding gift: – given by her father consists of sapphire and diamond suite, ruby and diamond ring, sapphire and diamond earrings.
• The diamond watch: – presented to her by the oldest Swiss watch company, Vacheron & Constantin in 1947. It was a wedding gift. She gifted this to Diana.
• T. Williamson: – a wealthy diamond mine owner presented her with a rare 23 carat pink diamond, flawless and perfect shaped into a daffodil brooch.
• King Faisal of Saudi Arabia: – gifted her with a necklace resembling a lace made with diamonds. This was designed by none other than Harry Winston.
• The Flower Basket brooch: – presented to her by her mother after the birth of Prince Charles. It is made up of diamonds, rubies and sapphires. It carries the photographs of Queen Elizabeth and baby Charles. This is also her favorite.
• Pink Corals: – a simple string of corals which once belonged to her mother was given to her when she was a baby. This is a very sentimental piece and is priceless for her.
• The Rhodesian Flame Lily: – made with diamonds and set on platinum was gifted to her on her 21st birthday by the school children of Rhodesia.
• South African Government: – gave her a necklace set with 21 diamonds of the finest quality.
• The City of London: – presented with a diamond Lily brooch.
• The Austrian Wattle brooch: – with 150 diamonds, carrying many rare yellow and some blue and white diamonds. It is designed as a spray of wattles.
• The Brazilian Government: – presented her with a large necklace with square cut aquamarines and diamonds and a pair of earrings during her coronation year.
• The Cullinam diamonds: – she possesses the pear shaped Cullinam diamond set as a brooch. This was one of the pieces that were cut from the original diamond weighing 1.25 pounds.
• The Cullinam II & IV diamonds: – weighing 94 and 63 carats which she fondly calls “Granny chips” is also a part of her collection.

This is not the full and complete list of her Majesty’s personal jewelry collection. But the famous Leslie Field’s the American author notes that she has: –

• 34 pair of earrings
• 98 brooches
• 46 necklaces
• 37 bracelets
• 5 pendants
• 14 watches
• 15 rings

She ranks 23 among the 100 richest people in the world.

Princess Margaret

The younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II was known for her spirit and beauty. She too possessed some priceless pieces given to her by her mother Elizabeth I and her grandmother Queen Mary. After her demise they were auctioned off to pay for her children’s inheritance tax. Her ex husband Lord Snowdown was displeased. The sale produced unexpected results. They got more than what they had expected. There were 192 pieces in all that were auctioned.

• Poltimore Tiara: – is the most famous of all her jewels. She wore it on her wedding to Lord Snowdown in 1960. It is styled into leaves and flowers all made of diamonds. It was made by Garrard and was given to her by her grandmother Queen Mary. It is set in silver and gold and has clusters of diamonds with diamond set scroll motifs and each circled by cut diamonds. It can be converted into a circlet, 11 brooches and a necklace. This piece was sold to an Asian collector for 1.7 million $ by Christies.
• Pearl and diamond necklace: – gifted to her by her grand mother Queen Mary on her 18th birthday in 1948.
• The Antique Riviere Necklace: – again given by Queen Mary. A single row of 34 graduated diamonds which a cushion shaped.
• Five Rows of pearl necklace: – with a diamond clasp mounted in platinum made in 1928 and is 30.0 cms long.
• The Famous M shaped brooch: – this is a diamond monogram brooch set beneath a crown.
• A Ruby and cultured pearl necklace: – made in 1930 which was worn by her when she was three years old.
• A Rose of York Brooch: -made by Cartier in 1955.
• A diamond and ruby ring: – given by her mother Elizabeth I with a note “now you have lost a son you must have something new’. This was given when her son Linley married.
• A Gilt hedgehog Brooch: – which was valued at 50 pounds was actually sold for 5, 760 $ in the auction by Christies.
• A Jabot Pin: – designed as a butterfly with cultured pearl, sold for 6,000 $ when it was valued at 60 pounds.
• A marquise: – cut diamond ring.
• Two Art Deco Bracelets: – one made with a solitaire marquise cut diamond surrounded with rubies and the other is a half hoop with three rubies. Also an art deco brooch made with sapphire and diamonds. A hand written note says ‘For darling Margaret on her confirmation day from her loving granny Mary Rose’.
• A grey cultured pearl Bermuda Cedar Brooch: – bought in 1990 when she visited the “jungle island of Cedar’. Made in gold shaped as a sprig of Bermuda Cedar and is studded with cultured pearls as berries”.
• A pair of cultured pearl and diamond earrings: – made by the top notch Canadian jewelers Birks. Each pearl is set above a trefoil of brilliant cut diamonds. Also accompanying it was a brooch shaped like a maple leaf. These two were presented by the city of Montreal.

Not all the jewels that were auctioned by Christies are listed here. This is just a fragment.

Diana

Her father was Lord Spencer and his ancestry can be traced back to Marie Antoinette of France. Princess Diana was married to Prince Charles and for her wedding she wore the Spencer Tiara made in 1767 or 1830. It is difficult to pin point the exact date as it was reset. It is designed with tulips and long stemmed flowers and stars molded in gold and silver. She loved it and worn it often.

• From Queen Mary’s: – collection she got the emerald and diamond choker. She wore this as a head band. Prince Charles bought her a matching art deco style emerald and diamond bracelet to match this choker. She also wore the Queen Mary’s famous “Cambridge Lover’s Knot” Tiara which was designed by the Queen in May 1914. In 1935 the queen had the top row of pearls spikes removed. This was loaned to Princess Diana by the present Queen for state functions. It had a pair of matching pearl drop earrings which she wore with the tiara.
• From her mother Frances: – she got a pair of stunning diamond earrings which she wore for the wedding in the chapel on 29th July 1981.
• The Queen mother: – gave her a brooch made out of sapphire and surrounded by diamonds. Diana got it remodeled and had it set on her 6 strand pearl choker. She wore it frequently and this blue sapphire matching her blue eyes became her signature style.
• Prince Charles: -The famous blue sapphire engagement ring was surrounded by 18 brilliant cut diamonds. She gifted this to her son William. This was made by Garrard Jewelers. Sapphire was her favorite gemstone. Prince Charles gave her numerous gifts like the heart shaped necklace of gold and pearls, a heart shaped gold bracelet, a green diamond set of necklace, earrings and bracelet set in white gold. Charles gave her numerous bracelets like the charm bracelet, one for each year of their marriage. In 1982- 84 he presented her with the two alphabets W and H in gold to celebrate the birth of their sons, Prince William and Harry. Ballet shoes because she loved ballet, a tennis racquet because she loved the game, polo cap because he loves polo, St. Paul’s cathedral, the church where they were married, a bear because she loved cuddy teddies, an apple for her love for Manhattan city and a pig a private joke. She never wore the bracelet! She wore a silver bracelet with the word ‘Princess’.
• The Swan Lake: – jewelry set which she wore to the Royal gala performance was made by Garrard in 1997. Princess Diana had it designed and made with South Sea Pearls with matching pearl and diamond earrings. It was sold after her death for 326,500 pounds. One of her favorites was a three row pearl choker with a turquoise flower clasp.
• Costume Jewelry: – her favorite fashion accessories were mainly costume jewelry fashioned and sold by Butler and Wilson in London. The large snake brooch which she wore, the pair of heart shaped earrings with starburst clips was bought from him. Simon Wilson says, “She used costume jewelry to customize her clothes and to add wit and individuality to her wardrobe”.

Most of her jewelry was inherited from the Spencer’s and the Royal family. They were mostly family heirlooms. She got some gifts from head of states like the watch from the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. The National Associations of Goldsmiths presented her with a pretty gold and white necklace with sapphire flowers. It also had the Prince of Wales feathers in the center. She donated this sapphire and gold necklace to the Kazanjian’s Jewels for Charity.

It can be noted easily that with minimal jewelry and simple dress style Diana became the most popular and sought after celebrity who became the “Queen of Hearts” for millions of people around the world.

Reference

• Book The Jewels of Queen Elizabeth II by Leslie Field.
• Book “Famous Jewelry Collectors” by Stephano Papi and Alexandra Rhodes.
• Christie’s website
• www.royal.gov.uk
• www.Iatwn.com
• www.antiquesandthearts.com

Gold Futures Trading Introduction

by Madhubanti Rudra

Both in the developing world and in the developed ones, the gold is treated as an asset class in itself. But in the backward economies, you have to trade in gold physically to take advantage from its price volatility. Contrastingly in the developed nations, where commodity futures market have flourished for years, you don’t have to buy or sell gold from physical market to cut profit out of it. Here hoarding gold is replaced by trading in gold future.

There are pockets in the developing world, where gold is still preferred as the safest tool of savings and investment. Both in the developing world and in the developed ones, the gold is treated as an asset class in itself. But in the backward economies, you have to trade in gold physically to take advantage from its price volatility.

Contrastingly in the developed nations, where commodity futures market have flourished for years, you don’t have to buy or sell gold from physical market to cut profit out of it. Here hoarding gold is replaced by trading in gold future.

Let’s explain the difference between physical trading of gold and the concept of futures trading with the example below.

Suppose the current gold price is $1000 per ounce and you have $100,000 for investment at your disposal. This much money will allow you to buy 100 ounce of gold. Now say after three months when the price of gold touches $1100 per ounce, you decide to sell it off to make a cool profit of $100 per ounce and hence $10,000 for your total holding over three months time.

Now let’s see what happens in the futures market with the same amount of gold and the similar assumption regarding the rise in the gold price. In majority gold exchanges of the world, futures contracts till four months are allowed. Let’s assume that market remains stable over the next three-month.

Now when you are trading in gold futures, you don’t have an obligation to buy or sell a specific quantity of the metal and cough up the entire price. Trading futures of any commodity means taking delivery of the underlying commodity at a given date in the future. For the seasoned investors, this is referred to as taking a long position.

To trade in gold futures, one needs to have a trading account which involves keeping a deposit. The amount of deposit varies with the exchanges all over the world. This is the margin money, which is required by the exchange. The traders have to buy a minimum volume of the gold as futures contract. Suppose the minimum volume is 100 ounce.

For the minimum amount of futures contract your initial investment is: the margin money which usually doesn’t exceed 10% of the investment, plus the brokerage charge which usually doesn’t exceed .25%. That means the investment for minimum volume of gold will cost you roughly $115.

Now gold market is one of the most liquid market and that make the futures price always touch the price of the underlying. Thus with 100,000 bucks in your pocket, you will be able to enter into the contract for almost 800 ounces of gold which is 8 times more than the physical market.

Due to this market dynamics, one can buy minimum volumes of gold for many times cheaper than it actually costs in the physical market and naturally with the same amount of investment, one will command many times more volumes of gold than he can do in the physical market.

With the same dynamics, at the end of three months, by selling 800 ounces of gold one can make a gross profit that is again many times more the profit made in physically gold market.

So you see how your gold can spin money for you and this is true for a bullish as well as a bearish market. Sounds to hot to resist? But don’t burn your hands before training yourself in the basics of gold futures trading— the whole affair has its downsides as well and you have to learn how to guard these risk factors. In any case, you have to make sure your delivery entails gold certification and accreditation by the assayer of the exchange.

Gold as Investment

by Madhubanti Rudra

Throughout the history, gold too has been subject to price volatility and uncertainty. But every time it resurfaced with fresh all-time-highs. One thing the profit-hungry investors hate most is any kind of uncertainty and this is precisely what makes gold the more preferable option in the portfolio of an average individual investor.

For generations gold had been considered the insurance against bad times; for today’s investors, gold is the most secure parts of the portfolio. What makes gold the traditional favorite at a time when the major currencies fall from grace? Should you really prefer the yellow metal over currencies when it comes to the choice of investment? What are the global factors that make gold so much trustworthy in a financial atmosphere shrouded with doubts and distrusts? To find the answers read the article below.

A dwindling equity market and the dollar’s downfall conjure up the current global economic scenario; the first quarter of 2008 is almost over and it is said, that the global market has already bumped into its worst financial phase.

Throughout the history, gold too has been subject to price volatility and uncertainty. But every time it resurfaced with fresh all-time-highs. One thing the profit-hungry investors hate most is any kind of uncertainty and this is precisely what makes gold the more preferable option in the portfolio of an average individual investor.

The soaring gold against declining dollar making it the darling of the global investors

Prior to US government’s Federal policies the fears of recession loomed large. This was followed by the US announcements of 0.75% Fed Fund rates cut and the talks about $150 billion tax cut. They were expected to pump in fresh blood in the world economy-even at the expense of dollar, but they failed miserably to yield expected result that is to regain the confidence of the investors.

For common investors across the globe, individual or institutional, the Federal move was too expansive to communicate its true worth. These moves were basically meant to bring in temporary stability offering no permanent solution for the ongoing crises. But what the global market needs at the moment is much more than mere policies for stabilizing, it needs policies to regain trust and confidence in the investors for a sustainable economic growth all over the world.

In this situation, gold offers the much needed relief to the investors confused by the global economic turmoil. The fact that gold prices are bound to rise under the backdrop of US inflation further add to the investors’ conviction on gold as a safe investment tool.

The global financial trends added to the investment value of gold

There is another factor that ensures that gold curve will continue to move upward: in the absence of global financial harmony, every nation is hell-bent on protecting its own economic interests-no matter if it affects the other. As such the other nations will cut benefits from the instability of the US economy and this precisely explains the surge of gold prices against world’s most awed currency.

So the net result is: the developing nations will seek breather in gold as the investment in paper currencies become increasingly uncertain. The rich but fast declining economies will seek safety in gold as they themselves lose confidence in their own currencies. As a combined effect of these two the gold price will continue to move upward.

Gold is going to be the inevitable investment tool for the investors-why?

The governments of the USA and a few European countries seem to find only solution in ‘protectionalism’ to combat the present crisis. Going protective is the only way out for them if they want to stop drainage of wealth from west to east. More inflation and further cuts in the dollar value are predicted as a result of these trial-and-error policies. As such the only means that can give the investors long term protection is gold; after all, over the past few years it has consistently demonstrated outstanding performances while currencies and equities failed to maintain that consistency.

So until the global giants come to a common platform to work out a cure for the present sickness of the international economy, the yellow metal will continue to glitter; as always they will remain the most trusted commodity which is bought at the good times to act as the hedge against unseen future.

Making money out of gold futures

by Madhubanti Rudra

We are in the middle of a great bull run on gold! If you are ready to take the plunge and want some cool returns by making a minimum investment, then the article is specially written for you. It will help you understand the nuances of futures trading in gold.

We are in the middle of a great bull run on gold! If you are ready to take the plunge and want some cool returns by making a minimum investment, then the article is specially written for you. It will help you understand the nuances of futures trading in gold.

‘Futures trading’ is a broad term involving a range of commodities from wheat to crude oil. Under the present global financial scenario, ‘futures trading’ in gold has become especially popular. Gold is in fact one of the most traded metals in the present times.

So what does trading in gold futures actually mean?

A future trading in gold refers to a kind of investment where to make profits, the investor uses his speculative abilities to envisage the price of gold rising or falling in the future.

Gold and all other commodities are traded between millions of investors across the globe, every day. ‘Futures trading’ in gold relies on the basic business rule that is: make profit by buying gold at a low price and sell it for a higher price.

The features of gold futures trading

‘Futures trading’ of gold is in the nature of speculative ‘paper’ investing. As such you don’t need to run the hassles of holding gold and protecting it; you only need to keep a piece of paper known as a futures contract.

Investment in futures of gold comes with a specific expiration date. However, you are not bound to hold the contract until this date. The fun of futures trading lies in your freedom of canceling the contract anytime you wish.

Let’s explain this scenario with this example:

• The Gold contracts are sold internationally in February, April, June, August, October and December. If somewhere in the end of April you are tipped that gold price will rise till mid June, you can buy a June gold contract. As the expiry date approaches closer, the contracts become more liquid and there are more traders in the market. This helps you make a reasonable profit preventing the price from soaring too high or dropping too down.
• But if you come to know that gold price will keep on rising till the year end, you need to buy a December contract for maximum gains.
• There exist specific standardization norms for all commodities. Not only for gold, but for all the commodities, investors have to hold a specified amount and abide by the prescribed quality. For Gold futures it is the 100 troy ounces of 24 carat gold.

The gold futures can be traded in many ways: it can be treated as a pure speculative product, as a hedge against inflation or a purely commercial hedge, or as an asset class of investment, futures contracts are the most viable product for making money amidst all the present day financial chaos.

Making money off your inherited gold

by Madhubanti Rudra

Just found out some yellow trinkets out of your family vault? If they happen to be too old fashioned for your sense of style, then why overcrowd your jewelry wardrobe unnecessarily? This is the high time you can make good profit out of your old gold. But you should take measured steps so that you are not fooled by the jewelers. The article sows you ways how you can make maximum profit.

Just found out some yellow trinkets out of your family vault? If they happen to be too old fashioned for your sense of style, then why overcrowd your jewelry wardrobe unnecessarily? This is the high time you can make good profit out of your old gold. But you should take measured steps so that you are not fooled by the jewelers. The article sows you ways how you can make maximum profit.

So you have got your hands on some of your granny’s vintage gold jewelries which don’t actually match your sense of style and you want them to earn some cash for you! So what will you do? Just sell off the old trinkets to seize some cool cash. Sneak a peek into the jewelry shops and you will get to see, hundreds like you are on a gold selling spree. And why not?

Since last year, the gold price has increased by leaps and bounds with the record high of $1,030.80 hit in mid-March. The trend teaches you one important lesson: this is the most opportune moment to sell off your inherited gold that you don’t use as trinkets and make a fortune out of it.

Now you definitely need to do your homework before you rush to the nearest jeweler. Before taking your precious gold to just any jewelry shop consider these points:

• To your buyers your jewelries are nothing but scrap metals and they will melt down the pieces to morsel. This means you have little chance to get back the trinkets even if you change your mind and want to keep them. So make your mind first before you decide to sell them off.
• The jewelers are the most intelligent creed who can easily mislead you and rip off your money. So choose a buyer with caution.
• When the jewelries are melted to scrap you will get nothing for the other metals present in the pieces. However, for the white gold, the rule is different; here the gold is mixed with platinum or other white metal belonging to platinum family and hence white gold always fetch you many times more resale value than the yellow gold.

But there are ways to outsmart the smart jewelers. Your gold jewelry pieces can earn you profit only when you are familiar with the fine prints of the trade. Here the tips to help you out in the process.

Seek appraisal from a neutral appraiser

• If you want to make profit, you must get your gold jewelries assessed by an appraiser or other jeweler other than the one currently buying your gold.
• Appraisal of each piece will cost you somewhere in between $30 to $35. If you have a number of pieces to assess, then it will be more prudent to hire an appraiser on hourly basis, an individual appraiser will charge you about $70 to $75 an hour.
• An appraiser can tell you best which of the pieces from your collection can fetch you good money and which can’t. The pieces that don’t sell for good right now can well rest inside your closet for few more years.
• The value figured out by the appraiser and the actual market price of your jewelries may vary in reality; but by getting them appraised, you get a good starting point in your bargain.
• It also helps you get the actual picture about the accurate weight and gold content of the pieces. Only the pieces curved out of 24-karat gold will fetch you considerable cash. So far as the pieces made from 10 karats or less or the gold plated pieces are concerned—you should not expect to resell them. However the pieces made with 18- or 14-karat gold-which means the pieces are made of 75% or 58% gold will fetch you fairly better value.

Stay alert on Market price

When you visit the jeweler’s shop go armed with the information about the latest gold price. To get information such as the last days’ closing price or the latest gold price in the international market, you can take help from the sites like gold-eagle.com or Kitco.com.

The pieces to sell and the pieces to keep

Some of your inherited gold pieces may appear out- of- place among your own collections. But don’t liquidate them just because of this; before selling them off as scraps, just look for the details—does it have a designer name inscribed in it? Is it a period piece carrying the unmistakable signature style of the time? Does the piece flaunt any exquisite gemstone? In these cases the piece can command 10 or 20 times more than its mere value as scrap metal. If you must liquidate it, then instead of any common jeweler, take them to an estate jeweler who will pay you the true value of a period piece. There are typical pieces you should consider selling such as pair less earring, broken chain and so on. They have no other value than scrap metal and so it is better to sell them off for good.

Deal with the reputed jewelers

When you decide to sell off your heirloom jewelries, don’t trust just any jeweler. You can trust a jeweler who has the affiliation with such trade group as the Jewelers of America. Membership to one of these trade groups is a guarantee of strict ethical sales standards. A Better Business Bureau membership is also a safeguard against fraud. To find out the jeweler on the basis of membership to any trade group, just look for the membership seal on the store’s window; the affiliate members generally flaunt their membership on their store’s window.

Shop around

Don’t jump at the decision right away. Shop around and compare the offers; the final sum offered by different jeweler, what made the jeweler determine the worth of your gold, what is the commission they are asking for and so on. You need not accept the offer of a jeweler who asks for the commission over 10%.The above mentioned tips are sure to fetch a good sum for your gold that you no longer use. But while in the gold market, keep your eyes open. As you know, the cons are more active in the places especially where high value transactions are involved. So make sure to carry your valuables with sufficient safeguards. Also don’t trust the jeweler who asks you to leave your jewelries for an appraisal. The usual practice is: receive the cash and handover your precious gold; in case anything happens other than this, leave the store at once.

The Amazing Jewels of The Nawab of Hyderabad

by Ms Nandita Ray

The Jewels belonging to the Royal family of Hyderabad is a fantastic collection of ornaments, loose precious stones, especially emeralds and amazing variety of artifacts. The collection of jewels is one of the most expensive in the world. In 1992 this collection was bought over by the government of India from the Nizam’s family. In 2001 it was displayed to the public for the first time. This exhibition took place in Delhi where all the 173 pieces were displayed. The Jewels have inspired many famous creations by famous designers like Cartier.

The Jewels belonging to the Royal family of Hyderabad is a fantastic collection of ornaments, loose precious stones, especially emeralds and amazing variety of artifacts. The collection of jewels is one of the most expensive in the world. In 1992 this collection was bought over by the government of India from the Nizam’s family. In 2001 it was displayed to the public for the first time. This exhibition took place in Delhi where all the 173 pieces were displayed. The Jewels have inspired many famous creations by famous designers like Cartier. And why not? Noted jewelry expert and craftsman D. Gazdar called them, ‘specimens of a lost art and further stressed, ‘finest collection of Eastern jewelry in the world”. While the world other comment comes from equally famous gemstone expert and trader H. Rosenthal of Paris, ‘were quite simply, out of this world”. He was talking about the Nizams loose and uncut gems.

History:

The Nizams of Hyderabad, ruled from 1724 till 1948. When India gained independence the prevailing Nizam Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jha VII acceded to the new Government of India. Their famous jewelry collection which formed a part of their enormous wealth and prestige and was built over the period that they ruled was bought over by the Indian Government at a paltry sum of 2.18 millions. It was and still is valued more than that. This purchase was as a result of the debts and taxes owed by the Nizam’s to the government of India. Today the jewels are locked up in the vaults of the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai.The Nizam who was once considered the richest man in the world also lost most of his fortune to legal wrangles between family members. The Time magazine called the Nizam the richest man in the world. Hyderabad once the richest princely state of India built its wealth on trade of gold, diamonds and pearls. The streets of ‘Pathargatti’ facilitated the passage of huge quantities of diamonds and pearls. Though diamonds like Hope, Regent, and Kohinoor have been mined from the Golconda mines Hyderabad is called the city of Pearls.

Ornaments

They follow a mixture of Muslim and Indian craftsmanship with a distinct leaning towards the Southern ‘Deccani’ workmanship acquired from the ‘Vijaynagar’ Kingdom. Gold and silver work embedded with uncut diamonds and edged with silver ‘kundan’ or just gold and silver work with diamonds and tear drop emeralds with enameled work on the back. Intricate Mughal designs or lacy web like designs or the traditional Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka or ‘Tamilnadu’ influence is widely evident in these heavy ornaments. It’s also a mixture of western influence and indigenous style.The collection consists of rare pieces of untold value and history. Many of the jewels were stored in huge crates to cardboard shoe boxes. There are photographs of the 7th ‘Nizam’ and his many wives with huge chunky ornaments which are all diamond encrusted. There are 30 cabinets each filled with kilos of gold and diamond jewelry, diamond being the widely used stone by the Nizams, since most of them came from the Golconda mines, which has been the only supplier to the world till the beginning of the eighteenth century. A royal injunction compelled the miners to donate the best stones to the Nizam. Most of the diamonds are flawless However it is believed that the Nizam purchased rubies from Burma. Emeralds are the next favorite stone to be used by the Nizam and as suggested green being the color of the Muslims, it has been widely used. Most emeralds are in their natural uncut form. They are king sized tear drop in shaped and came all the way from Bolivia.

The pearls came all the way from Gulf of ‘Mannar’ in Ceylon and Basra in Arabian Sea coast. The use of ‘Navratan’, the nine stones representing the nine planets is basically Hindu in origin but was a favorite with the Nizams. It is believed that the entire collection of Pearls in the Nizam’s collective collection could fill up an Olympic size swimming pool.

The uncut Jacob Diamond, the size of a duck’s egg, is one of the seven biggest diamonds in the world. It weighs 184.75 carats and was once used as a paper weight by the Nizam. It is considered a ‘non-violent’ diamond since it has changed hands only twice. It was bought in 1891 and possibly mined in 1867 ago from the mining giant country Africa. It is believed that the Italian born diamond dealer sold the diamond to ‘Meheboob’ Ali Pasha, the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad in 1891. It is also believed that this transaction led to legal problem and disputes and criminal proceedings and the Nizam had to appear before a commission. This blatant act of calling a Ruler before a commission angered and disgusted the Nizam so much that he kept the diamond as a pebble. In fact it was discovered by his son, the 7th ‘nizam’ in his slippers. This diamond is much larger than the Kohinoor and is known as Imperial Diamond or Great White diamond or Victoria diamond. It is a colorless stone and does not belong to any particular class because not a single hint of yellow nor any impurities like nitrogen are present. It glows bluish green in the dark. It is the 8th largest diamond in D color in rectangular cushion shape in the universe. It is not evenly centered and one side of the girdle is flat. The finished gem has 58 facets and measures 39.5mm long, 29.25 mm wide and 22.5mm deep.

A seven strand pearl necklace strung with 150 large and 230 small pearls. It has two diamond pendants attached to it. The lustrous pearls are from Basra. Another satlada pearl necklace has 465 in it.

A pair of bracelets with 270 diamonds studded in it is one of the many bracelets and arm lets that have adorned the Nizams and their wives. Heavy and set with huge uncut diamonds called Polki diamonds with enamel work and lined with silver edging.

Emeralds weighing 414.25 carats, some are uncut and most of them un mounted. There are 22 unset pieces of emeralds and their collected value is the most expensive and weigh a couple of thousands carats and are in various shapes and sizes and very ornamental in appearance.

There is a diamond studded belt made by Oscar Massi Pieres, the French designer. This diamond belt carries a total 640 carats in diamond weight. Another belt, ceremonial weighs 1.5 grams and totally covered with diamonds. These belts which formed a part of their ceremonial attire were called patta tilai. The buckles resemble south Indian hair ornaments. There is a belt buckle which has 146 stones.

There are numerous rings, brooches, buttons, studded swords, gold biscuits, anklets, cufflinks, and nose rings, watch chains, which are heavily jeweled and intricately decorated. A pair of Burmese rubies earrings set with diamonds takes your breath away. The rubies are big and glowing like fire while the cool diamonds showers its myriad hues. The diamonds are from the Golconda mines. These diamonds like the other were probably a part of the Nazrana given to the Nizam for an audience.

A pendant studded with a 200 carat emerald drop weighing 225 carats. Head gear and head gear ornaments have a special place in this collection since all the Nizams wore these ornaments on their head gear. Plumes of pearls or a spray of diamonds and emeralds or crests of navratan are some of the strikingly elaborate and exquisite pieces in serrated design. Sarpech, as these were called are also shaped like enameled birds or feathers covered with uncut diamonds or mixed with rubies or emeralds.

The Nizam of Hyderabad’s well celebrated Diamond parure presented to the Queen of England on her durbar celebrations.

An Alexandrite ring gifted by Auranzeb to one of the Nizams in 1700, set in gold is full of untold history. It was a personal gift to the nizam who was his commander in chief then called Mir Qamaruddin late father Jung and Arif Jah 1st Nizam of Hyderabad. This ring was Roman in origin with a superior quality Alexandrite. It has the ability to change color from emerald green in natural light to bluish red in artificial light.

A double strand diamond necklace came with the annexation of the Bijapur kingdom. Necklaces of the Nizams and wives are large and chunky. Made of gold and encrusted with gems of different colors, emeralds and rubies and diamonds and some were embedded with navratans, the nine precious gems. Some of the necklaces weighed a kilo each. Some had serrated edges laced with a web like motif while others are edged with drop pearls or emeralds. Some following the Deccani style have enameled work on the reverse. There is also in the possession the Historic crown of rubies, which was a gift from the King of Persia, Shah Abbas., presented to the Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah.

Interesting Facts

The Nizam of Hyderabad, the last Official Ruler , Fath Jang Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII was the richest man in the 1940’s, having a fortune estimated around 2 billion$. Forbes magazine, named him the Fifth on “All Time Wealthiest” list. He had an annual income of $10,000,000.The Nizam personally carried the key to his hidden vaults for 50 long years. Bundles of different shapes and sizes remain lying around indicating the careless manner in which the jewels were stored.

The famous Salarjung Museum which also displays some of the fantastic collection of the Nizam was constructed and the product of one man- Yusuf Ali Salar Jung, the Prime Minister to the Nizam.

Mukkhar Jah, the eight Nizam lives in a two room apartment in Turkey.