The Queen of Diamonds: The royal gems cut from the world’s largest diamond

Queen Elizabeth II wears the Imperial Crown and the Royal Scepter
during her coronation in 1953, both containing cuts
from the Cullinan Diamond. Click here for more images.

For the first time, all the stunning jewels created from the world’s largest diamond will be collected in public in a unique exhibition at Buckingham Palace as part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Cullinan Diamond, weighing 3,106 carats in its rough state, was first discovered in 1905 at a mine near Pretoria in South Africa. It was originally thrown away as it was thought it to be too large to be a diamond. Once recovered, it was presented to King Edward VII as a gift and cuts were used in the Crown Jewels. 

Queen Elizabeth II's favorite, the Girls of Britain tiara,
will also be displayed in the exhibit. More images here.

Other cuts were used to make brooches, necklaces and earrings worn by royalty including Queen Elizabeth II throughout her 60-year reign. Seven of the nine cuts of the gem are to go on public display at Buckingham Palace this summer to celebrate the queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Queen Victoria’s small diamond crown, which she worn for her official Diamond Jubilee Portrait, and the Girls of Great Britain tiara, the Queen Elizabeth's favorite tiara will also be showcased in the display.