London Again-1

Today we went back into London to see more sights, First the London Tower to see all the Crown Jewels......ooooh what beautiful gems, crowns, dimonds, rubes, emerals, .....you get my meaning. It was sooooo moving that I went around the displays about 4 times, just to get it all in. Some of these date bcak to 1600, like Charles I, Queen Elizabeth the 1st, and of course Queen Elizabeth II. Unfortunatly no photos or videos can be taken.Photos from the web attached.

New Crown Jewels exhibition

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The re-presentation of the Crown Jewels has given the Crown Jewels a home fit for the 21st century, with new displays showing the jewels like never before.
The new display explores the importance of the Crown Jewels to the British Monarchy, the role of the Tower in protecting these treasures and the long and fascinating tradition of coronations in England. The Crown Jewels, part of the Royal Collection, are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy and hold deep religious and cultural significance in our nation’s history. The mystique and beauty of the diamonds and precious jewels in the royal regalia have always held an unparalleled allure to visitors from across the globe.



The Coronation ceremony is the central theme of the re-presentation. Since 1066, coronation ceremonies have taken place in Westminster Abbey, the great church built by Edward the Confessor. The displays examine how the royal regalia are used during the ceremony and explore the symbolism of each object. Destroyed at the Tower after the Civil War and remade for Charles II’s coronation in 1661, the Crown Jewels signify royal authority to lead, and protect, the nation. The regalia includes some of the most legendary and extraordinary diamonds in the world.The Crown Jewels at the Tower of London are a unique working collection of royal regalia and are still regularly used by The Queen in important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament (watch for the ‘in use’ signs!).
You'll find the Crown Jewels under armed guard in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.

The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross

The enormous 530.2 carat Cullinan I diamond, or Great Star of Africa, was added to the top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross (1661) in 1910. It remains the largest colourless cut diamond in the world.

The Coronation Spoon

The silver-gilt Coronation Spoon is over 800 years old – though it has been refurbished and re-gilded down the years. In 1649, the spoon was sold rather than being destroyed with the rest of the medieval crown jewels. This extraordinary survival is used at the Coronation for holy oil.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2121546/Dazzling-collection-Crown-Jewels-display-mark-Diamond-Jubilee.html#ixzz20zyezIMg

The Imperial State Crown of India, which contains over 6000 diamonds, is prepared for the new exhibition of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London



The Queen Consorts ring set with a large ruby (left) and the Sovereign's Sceptre containing the largest flawless cut diamond in the world (below)




The Imperial State Crown




The Imperial State Crown (1937) is worn by the Queen at each State Opening of Parliament. One of the youngest crowns in the collection, it holds a number of much older gems. The crown was remade in 1937 after the previous frame weakened under the weight of the gemstones.





thjats it for pics, check out the web site.