That is fascinating information Nellie. I have always wondered about the saying that QM did not like rubies as the King gave her the large ruby earrings which she gave to the Crown (information from Fields). I wonder if the uncut ruby is the Timur ruby necklace. Because of how it is set as a necklace, I feel sure that it would have been worn as the setting, as depicted in modern times, is not an Indian setting. I have never seen any information about when the Timur ruby was set, so I don't know if it would have been something which Queen Victoria might have worn. QEII is on record as saying it is so beautiful that she thought she should have a dress designed to wear it. I wonder if she has worn it on occasions which have not been photographed.
--Previous Message-- : : I have just started to browse through the : book Treasures from the Royal Archives : which arrived in the post today. : : From Queen Mary's dress book, 1911-13 it : states, for Dinner on June 22nd - : : "Pink & silver brocade gown Diamond : comb ruby & diamond collar, large uncut : ruby necklace arranged on bodice with : diamond drop added." : : This might surprise some who believe that : Queen Mary did not like rubies. : : I wonder what that large uncut ruby was. : : For Dinner on the 23rd at the Foreign Office : - : : "Sapphire blue & gold gown Young : ladies pearl & diamond tiara, pearl : collar with Ladies pearl & diamond : necklace under, pearl & diamond : stomacher large round pearl brooch 3 family : orders" : : I think "Young ladies" must mean : Girls, and we now know Queen Mary herself : used the term "stomacher. : : I feel a bit disappointed with the book : because it is such a teaser, providing the : tiniest snippets, as above. Perhaps no more : than that was ever likely, but one wonders : how and why the selections were made. : : : : : : : : :