Russian Czar Jewelry

The Russian czars were known for their lavish lifestyle, and their jewelry was no exception. They amassed an impressive collection of precious stones and gems, which were often used to create extravagant pieces of jewelry. Some of the most famous pieces of Russian czar jewelry include:

  1. The Imperial Crown of Russia: This crown was made for the coronation of Catherine the Great in 1762. It is adorned with 4,936 diamonds, including a large red spinel on the top, which is said to have been taken from the collection of the Ottoman Sultan.

  2. The Orlov Diamond: This 189.62-carat diamond is one of the largest in the world and is believed to have been mined in India. It was purchased by Count Grigory Orlov, a lover of Catherine the Great, and later became part of the Russian crown jewels.

  3. The Romanov Tercentenary Egg: This egg was created by the famous jeweler Fabergé to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty in 1913. It is made of gold, enamel, and diamonds and features a miniature portrait of Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra.

  4. The Catherine the Great Cameo: This cameo is carved from a single piece of agate and depicts Catherine the Great as the Greek goddess Minerva. It is surrounded by diamonds and was one of her favorite pieces of jewelry.

These are just a few examples of the stunning jewelry owned by the Russian czars, which continue to be admired and studied by jewelers and historians around the world.