The Most Famous Jewelry Gifts and the Stories Behind Them
This diamond and emerald bracelet with an large octagonal emerald in the center, framed of an octagonal diamond border, is made in diamond trellis work. Princess Mary had worn it since the 1920's and the center is removable and able to be worn as a brooch, see the picture on the left side, the Princess wearing the octagonal emerald as brooch.
Unfortunately it's provenance is unknown, but probably a gift from the "Emerald King" and favorite of her mother the Queen, Maharaja of Kapurthala.* Princess Mary sold some pieces from her collection in 1960, together with her emerald necklace and this emerald bracelet.
DIAMOND EMERALD BRACELET FOR PRINCESS MARY|British Guiana Wedding 28 February 1922
On behalf of the people of British Guiana, the Hon. Cecil Clernenti has presented to Princess Mary a handsome diamond bracelet made of 17 stones found in the colony and mounted in British Guiana gold. The stones were cut and polished the National Diamond Factory at Brighton by disabled soldiers. In a letter acknowledging the gift, states the West India Committee, Her Royal Highness wrote: -" I find it difficult to tell you how much I admire this splendid gift or how greatly I value the kindness and goodwill of which it is the expression. I have been go deeply touched during theso past months by the manner which the people of the British Empire all over the world have sent me their good wishes and their gifts at this time of my great happiness. May I ask you again to express to the people of British Guiana the very sincere and grateful acknowledgment of their thought for me, which I cannot give them in person." from Dundee Evening Telegraph
*The Prince of Wales her brother, visited the Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala a month later in 1922 on March, on his indian tour, so the present was given probably, later. In the officiel gift list, the Maharaja of Kapurthala is noted with a gold casket Nr 643.
