I was uncertain about this brooch at first, when I noticed Her Majesty wearing it.
Now that I have seen a close-up (thank you Marianne!), and seen all the symbolism, I quite like it. Modern jewellery is often too experimental for my taste - this, however, is a tribute to the young jewelers of today.
--Previous Message-- : British Jewellers create sparkling Diamond : Jubilee gift for the Queen, which she wore : to church at Sandringham on Christmas : morning : : Members of the British Jewellers’ : Association, the national trade body which : represents the UK’s jewellery sector, have : created a spectacular platinum, gold and : diamond brooch which was given to Her : Majesty the Queen on 5th December, 2012 in : celebration of her Diamond Jubilee Year. : The design for the brooch was chosen by a : panel of industry experts following a : national competition open to all UK based : jewellery designers. The winner was Ivonna : Poplanska, a student at The Goldsmiths’ : Centre in Clerkenwell, London. : Poplanska (26) who is originally from : Latvia, came to England in 2005 to study for : a BA in Silversmithing, Goldsmithing and : Jewellery Design at the University for the : Creative Arts in Rochester. She was then : chosen as one of the first intake of Post : Graduate students at The Goldsmiths’ Centre : where she has been studying painting and : drawing, 3D model making and CAD. : Her design entitled ‘The Eternal Dove’ is : loosely based on the 'Sceptre with Dove’ an : item in the Crown Jewels which, was made for : the Coronation of King Charles 11 in 1661. : The dove, which is in flight, encompasses : four flowers –the shamrock, the daffodil, : the thistle and the rose - chosen to : represent the countries of the United : Kingdom. These are made in rare Irish, : Welsh, Scottish and English gold which has : been donated by enthusiastic local : prospectors. Natural coloured diamonds have : been used to highlight these flowers. : Entwined holly leaves also feature in the : design symbolising unity, while the dove : stands for peace. : “All the precious metal and gemstones used : in the brooch were donated to the BJA and : our members also gave generously of their : skills and production expertise to create it : in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The : production utilised the very latest : technologies, provided through Weston : Beamor, and married them with traditional, : hand skills from Ian Hall at Lasting : Impressions. The finished piece is a : tremendous testament to the high levels of : craftsmanship that exists amongst members of : The British Jewellers’ Association,” says : the BJA’s chief executive Simon Rainer. : “Jewellery has always been associated with : royalty and we felt it fitting that The BJA, : which this year celebrates the 125th : Anniversary of its founding, should : celebrate this special year by creating this : exquisite, commemorative brooch which will : hopefully carve its own niche in history,” : says Lindsey Straughton the BJA’s Marketing : and PR Manager. : : :