“It contains some of the most important gems in the Crown Jewels, with St Edward’s Sapphire, a rose-cut sapphire dating back to the 11th Century, set at the centre of the cross at the top of the crown.
“Another important gem is The Black Prince’s Ruby. It is in fact not a ruby but a cabochon red spinel weighing 170 carats dating from the 14th Century. It sits at the front of the crown within the velvet cap in a cross pattée.
“Next, The Stuart Sapphire is a blue sapphire of 104 carats, dating to the 17th Century, and is situated to the back of the crown.
“Lastly, the Cullinan II, or the Second Star of Africa, weighing an enormous 317.4 carats, came from the 1910 collection of nine main stones cut from a single 3,106.75-carat diamond; the largest usable rough diamond ever found. It is set in all its glory in a yellow gold mount, front and centre on the crown.”
