The Queen Mother amassed quite a large jewellery collection of
her own, with a wide variety of jewels. In honour of February’s
birthstone, we are exploring one of her most impressive amethyst
necklaces.
Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon accepted the Duke of York’s marriage
proposal in January 1923 and quickly began receiving different
pieces as gifts.
The groom’s grandmother, Queen Alexandra, thoughtfully chose a
striking amethyst, diamond, and pearl necklace as her gift. The
sautoir-style necklace was popular in the 1920s, and features seed
pearls, smaller amethysts, and a large amethyst and diamond
pendant.
The gift was displayed at Buckingham Palace with the other
wedding gifts, including the note from Alexandra that read ”For
my dear future grand daughter Elisabeth from her affte Grand
Mother.”
While there are no photographs of Elizabeth wearing the
necklace, there are written records of her wearing the necklace
during the court mourning period following Alexandra’s death.
Amethysts were often used during periods of court mourning as
their solemn colour goes well with black and purple is also a
colour used as mourning recedes.
The necklace did not appear in public again until 2012. Several
of the Queen Mother’s pieces were loaned or given to the-then
Duchess of Cornwall.
Queen Camilla wore a shortened form of the amethyst and diamond
heart pendant to the London premiere of Skyfall, paired
with a pair of amethyst and diamond earrings from her personal
collection.
