Mastery of Design: Queen Mary’s Emerald and Diamond Choker, c. 1920

Choker
Diamonds, Emeralds, Platinum
circa 1920
Garrard's
The Royal Collection

This shimmering choker of emeralds and brilliant-cut diamonds was originally set in yellow gold and contains several of the Cambridge emeralds from the Delhi Durbar Parure. In the 1920’s, the always fashionable Mary of Teck commissioned Garrard’s to re-set the stones in a platinum setting as was fashion of the Art Deco.


This was one of the special pieces of jewelry that were bequeathed to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon Queen Mary’s death in 1953. This choker was famously worn by Diana, Princess of Wales who adapted it into a headband when she borrwed it from Queen Elizabeth.  The Princess of Wales also wore the piece as a choker as well.