In 1914 when Princess Mary was seventeen, Ernest Brooks took a series
of studio portraits of the Princess. She wore a charming jewel ideally
suited for a young lady making her début.
It was "a pearl, diamond, ruby and emerald collar, composed
of six rows of seed pearls divided by twenty alternate ruby and diamond
and emerald and diamond seven-stone bars, the centre fourteen supporting
by pearl festoons graduated alternate ruby and diamond, and emerald
and diamond star pendants each of which supports three pearl drops
with blue beads at the bottom, the remaining bars each supporting
a single pearl with a blue bead at the bottom, emerald and diamond
seven-stone bar snap."
This item was sold at the Christie's auction of the Princess Royal's
jewellery on June 29, 1966 for £280 ($784 USD) to Graus.
Source: Christie's; Illustrated London News Royal Wedding
Number
Queen Alexandra's wedding gift to Princess Mary was an unusual six-row
emerald bead and pearl necklace, composed of sixty-three graduated
pearls and sixty-four graduated emerald beads strung alternately with
green and white enamelled barrel snap. This
necklace look's very similar to a wedding gift which Princess Alexandra
received>>
Queen Alexandra's necklet bears the personal message.
"With every good wish for my darling granddaughter Mary's
future happiness with her beloved husband. From her loving old granny
Alex"
And was sold in aution 1966.
Special thanks to Laura for the resarch and text!
