Stuart Sapphire

[2] As the last descendant of James VII and II, the cardinal put the sapphire, along with many other Stuart relics, up for sale in about 1799.

[3] In 1820, George had the sapphire mounted on the clasp of a new armlet containing 335 diamonds, which was a gift for his mistress, Lady Elizabeth Conyngham, who wore it at the king's coronation the following year.

Upon George's death in 1830, Lady Conyngham offered the armlet to his successor, William IV, but the king allowed her to keep it because it was not considered Crown property.

[3] After Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837 the sapphire took pride of place at the front of her new crown, just below the Black Prince's Ruby.

It still occupies that position in the back of the Imperial State Crown made in 1937 (a copy of Victoria's) and used by Charles III.

The Stuart Sapphire, set in a hexagonal gold mount, was on the front of Queen Victoria's Crown from 1838 until 1909, when it was relocated to the back.