The Royal Treatment Loving the blue gems? Well, you're not alone…and you have very good taste: Throughout history, kings, queens and princesses have had longstanding love affairs with jewels of this majestic hue. The most recent, and perhaps most famous, is the one in the late Princess Diana's engagement ring, an 18-carat sapphire set in platinum and surrounded by diamonds. Queen Elizabeth II favors her birthstone, the aquamarine. Shortly after her coronation in 1953, the monarch received an aquamarine necklace, bracelet and earring set, a gift from the people of Brazil. She has since added an aquamarine-studded tiara to the mix, and she sometimes trots out the entire ensemble for state occasions. Opals were the objects of Queen Victoria's affection. These gems became hugely popular during her reign. she herself wore them all the time and gave them as wedding presents to her five daughters. Finally, during the mid-17th century the French monarchy acquired the infamous Hope Diamond. a brilliant blue one weighing 45.52 carats. that's now on display at the Smithsonian Institution. King Louis XIV and his successors relished wearing it. In fact, Louis XIV reportedly sported the “French Blue” on a ribbon around his neck.
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