Photos: Getty Images; courtesy of The Royal Collection
What do 60 years on the British throne get you? Lots and lots of diamonds. To commemorate this milestone year in her reign, Queen Elizabeth will offer the public access to some of the monarchy's most precious jewelry, namely two-centuries worth of diamonds. The show, called "Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration," will open at Buckingham Palace in August.
Among the baubles on display will be a 23.6-carat pink diamond set in a flower-shaped brooch (above) made from 200 smaller diamonds. Geologist J.T. Williamson discovered the rare diamond in 1947 and presented it to the Queen in honor of her wedding (above) that same year. Cartier then fashioned the stone into a brooch in 1953. Also on view will be a crown made from 1,187 diamonds for Queen Victoria's official Diamond Jubilee portrait in 1897, as well as Victoria's coronation necklace and earrings.
Luckily, that other diamond-loving Liz already had her big jewelry moment in 2011, making 2012 truly Queen Elizabeth's jubilee year. —Phillip B. Crook