Hugh Robert's states in The Queen's Diamonds, that the necklace was originally made with many additional pendants. It was then altered, to it's present form.
It was sold in the mid 1930s, pictorial evidence would suggest to the Countess of Warwick. Before it later returned to Cartier stock.
It was from Cartier stock in 1947 that it was purchased by the Nizam of Hyderabad and presented as a wedding gift to the Queen - contemporary reports suggest that The Queen herself (as Princess Elizabeth) chose both the necklace and tiara herself, as the Nizam couldn't attend the wedding, he simply settled the account. Although of course, the exact details of the gift have never and probably will never be made public.
I am sorry I cannot be more precise with my dates and sources (my copy of the Queen's Diamonds is in England and I am currently in Australia) as such, most of what I have said comes from memory.
However, based on this, I believe it is safe to assume that it is the same necklace. Either the Countess of Warwick was the brief owner, or she simply borrowed it from Cartier for this photo-shoot, I am sure the bill from the original sale in the Cartier Archives would be able to prove this.
--Previous Message-- : Countess of Warick pictured, Circa. 1930's : : : : : HM The Queen pictured, Circa. 1950's : : : : The question being is this the same : necklace, as opposed to just being one of : the same design. I am likely to believe it : is the actual necklace now owned by the : Queen as I don't recall having ever heard of : this design being re-produced. : : If so, it would mean that the Nizam must : have acquired it at auction or through : personal transaction with the Greville's. : : Thoughts? : : RE : :
on October 4, 2012, 4:34 am, in reply to "