History, royalty, and other sparkly stuff from Lauren Kiehna @laurenkiehna.bsky.social, writer & editor at thecourtjeweller.com. Contact: lauren@thecourtjeweller.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvv6ob6qha2pSeptember is the month for celebrating sapphires, and today at Hidden Gems, I’ve got a deep-dive into the history of the royal family that owned the spectacular suite of sapphire floral jewelry now held by the Albion Art Institute https://courtjeweller.substack.com/p/stunning-stuttgart-sapphires-albion19 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvv6ob6qha2phttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvtwgq4jyu23This fabulous suite of diamond and sapphire jewelry belonged to the same family that produced the patron saint of royal jewelry collecting, Queen Mary https://courtjeweller.substack.com/p/stunning-stuttgart-sapphires-albion19 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvtwgq4jyu23https://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvso7jtbau2sThe auction of a second matching chelengk brooch by Noonans in London has revealed that Queen Camilla's brooch was a wedding gift from the famed philanthropist Sir Donald Gosling https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/queen-camillas-chelengk-brooch-provenance-revealed.html18 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvso7jtbau2shttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvrfxvmbk52uQueen Camilla has been spotted often over the past two decades wearing a fascinating diamond brooch with naval connections—and now, thanks to an upcoming auction, we've learned more about its provenance https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/queen-camillas-chelengk-brooch-provenance-revealed.html18 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvrfxvmbk52uhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvq5qnc3ik2uThese fabulous blue-green tourmalines, offered for sale today in Hong Kong, were discovered in Mozambique and cut in Canada https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/a-stunning-pair-of-paraiba-tourmalines-head-to-sothebys-in-hong-kong.html17 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvq5qnc3ik2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvovivggcy2cToday in Hong Kong, Sotheby's will auction a spectacular pair of gemstones: two neatly-matched, exceptionally rare Paraiba tourmalines, ready for their new owner to dream up an incredible setting for them https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/a-stunning-pair-of-paraiba-tourmalines-head-to-sothebys-in-hong-kong.html17 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvovivggcy2chttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvnnbtbn4r2tOn Flag Day, Queen Mary kept her jewels simple but significant, wearing a pair of classic diamond studs and an heirloom brooch that has more than a century of history with the Danish royals https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/the-queen-of-denmark-wears-the-flood-sapphire-on-flag-day.html16 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvnnbtbn4r2thttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvmf22acrk2uSeptember is the month of the glorious sapphire, and the Queen of Denmark recently chose an excellent example of the gem for Flag Day commemorations in Copenhagen https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/the-queen-of-denmark-wears-the-flood-sapphire-on-flag-day.html16 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvmf22acrk2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvl4so2llr2uIt was a glittering day for Prinsjesdag in the Netherlands, with all of the royal ladies in gowns and jewels—and Princess Ariane pulling off a wardrobe heist moment https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/glittering-dutch-royal-jewels-on-prinsjesdag-in-the-hague.html15 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvl4so2llr2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvkr2khttc2kHappy Prinsjesdag, everyone! The Dutch royal family was out and sparkling today for the opening of parliament in The Hague, with some special heirloom jewels included in their ensembles https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/glittering-dutch-royal-jewels-on-prinsjesdag-in-the-hague.html15 Sep 2026 13:44 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkr2khttc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvimdt26r323The Norwegian royal court broke the news on Friday that Princess Astrid, granddaughter of King Haakon VII, daughter of King Olav V, sister of King Harald V, and aunt of King Haakon VIII, had died at the age of 94 https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/a-bejeweled-farewell-to-norways-beloved-princess-astrid.html14 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvimdt26r323https://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvhe46iri22xJust days after the passing of her little brother, Norway bade farewell on Friday to Princess Astrid, the daughter of King Olav V who acted as the nation's first lady for many years after her mother's passing https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/a-bejeweled-farewell-to-norways-beloved-princess-astrid.html14 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvhe46iri22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvdlfybhga24My year-long series at Hidden Gems on significant days in the life of Queen Elizabeth II arrives today in 1981—not for the year's famous royal wedding, but during an unnerving incident that took place six weeks beforehand https://courtjeweller.substack.com/p/icy-courage-shots-fired-at-trooping12 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvdlfybhga24https://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvcd6dme3j2hIn the spring of 1981, the Queen was riding down the Mall during her annual birthday parade when shots rang out from the gathered crowd https://courtjeweller.substack.com/p/icy-courage-shots-fired-at-trooping12 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvcd6dme3j2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvb2x4xub523The Florentine Diamond, once thought lost forever, is now on display to the public at Quebec City's Museum of Fine Arts https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/the-florentine-diamond-dazzles-at-a-canadian-museum-exhibition.html11 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvb2x4xub523https://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mvarsnvzjk2vTwo days after her brother’s funeral, King Haakon VIII announces that Princess Astrid has died.11 Sep 2026 14:31 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvarsnvzjk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mv7spf7ddf2xWhen revelations about the location of the long-lost Florentine Diamond were made public last year, the grandsons of the last Empress of Austria expressed hopes that the incredible stone would soon be shared in an exhibition. Now, those hopes have come true https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/the-florentine-diamond-dazzles-at-a-canadian-museum-exhibition.html11 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv7spf7ddf2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mv6kib34ds2xTuesday marked the second time that Britain's most famous sapphire engagement ring was present for a future king's first day at Eton https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/the-princess-of-wales-gleams-in-cartier-on-prince-georges-first-day-at-eton.html10 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv6kib34ds2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mv5caittql23Prince George of Wales was accompanied by his parents as he arrived to begin his studies at Eton on Tuesday, and his proud mother wore classic jewelry pieces—and her famous engagement ring—for her son's first day https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/the-princess-of-wales-gleams-in-cartier-on-prince-georges-first-day-at-eton.html10 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv5caittql23https://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mv3zzenkrg2xPrincess Charlene kept cool in classic pearl earrings during Saturday's visit to Les Baux https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/pearls-for-the-princess-of-monaco-in-les-baux.html09 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3zzenkrg2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mv3wk6fizk26The extended royal family gathered in the Norwegian capital today to bid farewell to King Harald V of Norway in a state funeral service held at Oslo Cathedral https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/an-elegant-royal-farewell-to-king-harald-v-of-norway-in-oslo.html09 Sep 2026 16:13 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3wk6fizk26https://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mv2rrmkq2b2hPrince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco were joined by their children this weekend on a trip across the border to France, where they celebrated on of the titles historically held by the heir to the Monegasque throne https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/pearls-for-the-princess-of-monaco-in-les-baux.html09 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv2rrmkq2b2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3muzjkexrdf2cQueen Camilla wore a brooch shaped like a Tudor crown for this weekend's Highland games at the Braemar Gathering https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/queen-camilla-wears-a-crown-to-the-braemar-gathering-in-scotland.html08 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3muzjkexrdf2chttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3muybcn542q23One of the first big annual British royal events of autumn took place this weekend, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla watched the Highland games at the Braemar Gathering https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/queen-camilla-wears-a-crown-to-the-braemar-gathering-in-scotland.html08 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3muybcn542q23https://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3muwz3eoesv2cDuring a visit to a fiber hemp grower, Queen Máxima pitched right in, even driving one of the farm's tractors. She wore a printed blouse and skirt with big floral earrings for the occasion https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/queen-maxima-brings-an-orange-diamond-down-on-the-farm.html07 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3muwz3eoesv2chttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3muvqtr5h7h23After a heavy few weeks in the royal world, the Queen of the Netherlands knew just what we needed: a royal visit that included a rare diamond *and* tractor driving https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/queen-maxima-brings-an-orange-diamond-down-on-the-farm.html07 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3muvqtr5h7h23https://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3mury5iwaxf2hOn Sunday, Queen Anne-Marie—wife of the last King of Greece, sister of Queen Margrethe of Denmark, and aunt of the Kings of Denmark and Spain—celebrated her 80th birthday https://courtjeweller.substack.com/p/fortunes-in-jewels-the-spectacular05 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3mury5iwaxf2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3muqpvvmwh52sQueen Anne-Marie, who turned 80 on Sunday, wore Greek royal jewels for the first time at a ball just before her royal wedding in 1964 https://courtjeweller.substack.com/p/fortunes-in-jewels-the-spectacular05 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3muqpvvmwh52shttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3muphouflrh2pFor Wednesday's visit to see the Bayeux tapestry, Queen Camilla appropriately paired a British-made garment with French accessories. https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/queen-camilla-wears-sparkling-sapphires-and-french-couture-to-view-the-bayeux-tapestry.html04 Sep 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3muphouflrh2phttps://bsky.app/profile/courtjeweller.bsky.social/post/3muo7gwodyn2zThe President of France came to London this week for a very special diplomatic moment: a viewing of the new exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2026/09/queen-camilla-wears-sparkling-sapphires-and-french-couture-to-view-the-bayeux-tapestry.html04 Sep 2026 05:15 +0000at://did:plc:lt7d7voabb2fxwzhb6nydpup/app.bsky.feed.post/3muo7gwodyn2z