The Imperial State Crown

The Imperial State Crown is one of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and symbolizes the sovereignty of the monarch. It has existed in various forms since the 15th century. The Imperial State Crown made in 1937 for King George VI features 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies. The Imperial State Crown is 31.5 cm (12.4 in) tall and weighs 1.06 kg (2.3 lb) The frame is made of gold, silver and platinum. Notable stones are St Edward's Sapphire on the top cross and the Black Prince's Ruby (a large spinel) on the front cross. In 1909, the 104 carat Stuart Sapphire, set in the front of the crown, was moved to the back and replaced by the 317 carat Cullinan II – the second-largest clear cut diamond in the world. The crown is worn by the monarch on leaving Westminster Abbey at the end of the coronation ceremony. It is also worn at the annual State Opening of Parliament.

Top Gems at Auction in 2014

89.23-carat Pear-Shaped Diamond – $11,085,000 70.33-carat Cushion Brilliant-Cut Diamond – $14,201,234

75.97-carat Pear-Shaped D Colour, Flawless Diamond – $14,474,732 Pair of Fancy Vivid Blue & Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond Earrings, by Bvlgari – $15,820,731

The Graff Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond weighs 100.09 carats and is graded VS2 clarity. It set a new world auction record for a yellow diamond.– $16,347,848 The Blue Belle of Asia – $17,295,796. At 392.52 carats, the Ceylon sapphire is the fourth largest faceted sapphire and set a new world auction record for any sapphire.

A Belle Époque Diamond Devant-de-Corsage Brooch, by Cartier – $17,581,612

8.41-carat Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink Diamond – $17,778,247

The Winston Blue – 13.22 carats - $23,795,372

The Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace – $27,441,026. The Hutton-Mdivani Necklace set a new world auction record for any jadeite jewelry and a new world auction record for a Cartier jewel. The Zoe Diamond – $32,645,000 ($3,348,205 per carat) The Zoe diamond set a new world auction record for any blue diamond at the time and a new world auction record for price-per-carat for any diamond.

High Ruby Necklaces

Graff

Harry Winston

Tiffany

Bvlgari

Moussaieff

James W. Currens for Fai Dee

Van Cleef & Arpels

Omi Privé

The Omi Gems family dates back five generations to Burma. Decades of wars and close escapes from political unrest followed. With a handful of gems, a brilliant outlook, and a clear mindset, Omi Nagpal and his wife, Preeti, came to the United States. There, they founded and built a loose gemstone house that over time became synonymous with the world’s most valuable jewels.

Now, the Los Angeles-based company is lead by their son Niveet. As head designer, Niveet has continued the family’s reputation and high integrity through the Omi Privé fine jewelry collection.

Graff Diamonds

Working solely with the world’s rarest and highest quality diamonds, Graff was founded in London in 1960 by Laurence Graff, and has gone on to become the brand of choice for the mega wealthy. The House of Graff is synonymous with the most fabulous jewels in the world. Graff diamond jewellery is exceptional; the quality, the style and workmanship are the best in the world.

In 1970 Laurence Graff assembled $ 500,000 of diamonds on and around the head of a model for a photo shoot. 43 years later, Graff recreated the image with $500 million worth of diamonds in celebration of his 40th boutique and 60 years in the industry.

Today Graff is one of the largest producers in South Africa with one of the largest polishing and cutting factories based in Johannesburg employing over 300 craftsmen. Thousands of carats of diamonds are cut and polished and from these diamonds only the best go into Graff retail stores around the world. Diamonds are also cut and polished at Graff’s factories in New York, Antwerp, Botswana and Mauritius.

Graff is now a top global diamond jewellery brand. There are 30 Graff stores worldwide. Flagship stores have opened in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Geneva, Dubai, New York and Moscow. Over the years Graff has handled the world's most fabulous and treasured gemstones.

Graff’s The Royal Star of Paris features a 107.46 carat Fancy Yellow cushion-cut diamond, suspending the Graff Perfection, a 100 carat D Flawless pear-shaped diamond drop.

Le Collier Bleu de Reve necklace features a 10.47 carat Fancy Vivid Blue Internally Flawless briolette diamond, above a 4.22 carat old-mine Colombian emerald.

Sapphire and Diamonds “Secret” Tassel Brooch. A pavé diamond watch face is concealed suspended from a platinum chain.

10.62 carats fancy diamonds crossover ring. 5.01 carat Fancy Brown Orange Pink Internally Flawless pear shape diamond and a 5.05 carat Fancy Vivid Orange Yellow pear shape diamond.

Graff tassel necklace, featuring pigeon's blood Burmese rubies and white diamonds

Graff's Diamond Flower Brooch features an 8.97 carat pear-shaped Fancy Vivid Pink Orange diamond

24.78 carat Pink Emerald-Cut Graff Diamond

“The Golden Empress” a 132.55-carat Fancy Intense cushion-cut yellow diamond set on a necklace with 30 other yellow diamonds.

Graff Rhythm platinum necklace featuring rubies and diamonds