Queen Victoria's Diamond Crown
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- Main article: Small diamond crown of Queen Victoria
In 1870, Queen Victoria, finding the Imperial State Crown too heavy, designed and commissioned a small Diamond Crown. This delightful crown was made using some of the diamonds from her own collection - mainly from a large necklace.
This tiny crown is just 3.7” (9.9 cm) in height and 3.4” (9 cm) in diameter. It was made using some 1,300 diamonds from a large necklace and other jewelry in the Queen's personal collection. It was worn atop a widow's cap.
The "Small Diamond Crown" was worn by Queen Victoria on a great number of occasions, including the opening of Parliament. On her death in 1901, the crown was placed on her coffin at Osborne House. It was deposited in the Tower of London in 1927, by King George VI.
A replica image was used on coinage and on medals including medals awarded to Australians and New Zealanders.
