10,000 diamonds on display at Buckingham Palace

[June 29, 2012]  LONDON (AP) -- A new exhibition at Buckingham Palace shows that diamonds are a queen's best friend.

More than 10,000 of the gems are going on display in a celebration of jewelry owned by British monarchs over three centuries.

The exhibition includes a coronation necklace and other gems worn by Queen Elizabeth II as well as items from the royal collection, including the miniature crown adorned with 1,187 diamonds worn by Queen Victoria for her 1897 Diamond Jubilee.

Curator Caroline de Guitaut said Friday that the jewels "show us how monarchs have deployed diamonds to give an aura of magnificence" and underscore Britain's wealth and power.

The display runs Saturday to July 8 and July 31 to Oct. 7 as part of Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the queen's 60 years on the throne.

[Associated Press]

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