Dmitry's description fits what I felt about those emeralds.
--Previous Message-- : My thanks to all who have provided : information. : : --Previous Message-- : : The design lacks elegance. It is a piece : which seems more like a high end costume : jewellery design than a precious one. : : --Previous Message-- : Nor me, I don't like the design and also the : brightness of the gold. : : My guess would be that they are a Middle : Eastern gift. (only because its mostly : always Middle Eastern leaders who give such : sumptuous gifts) : : Though I've looked through my state visit : list and can't see any thing just prior to : that first event in 2000. The nearest one is : a visit to Brunei in 1998 : : : --Previous Message-- : The design does not appeal to me either : Nellie. : : --Previous Message-- : : I really don't like them. Anyone else? : : : --Previous Message-- : Thank you Maridje. I appreciate your : kindness. : I wonder who gave HM this set and when. : : --Previous Message-- : : : QEII 2004/11/08 - At The Royal Film : Performance Of " Ladies In Lavender : " At The Odeon Cinema In Leicester : Square : : : : : : : : : : http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-GB&family=editorial&assetType=image&p=queen+maggie+judi : : The Daily Mail reports that Queen Elizabeth : is to make Dame Maggie Smith a Companion of : Honour. : : : : : : : : : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2656862/Queen-makes-Dame-Maggie-Companion-Honour-Actress-given-one-Britains-highest-awards-60-year-career.html : : : : : : : : : : : : :