How Old Are The Crown Jewels

Let’s Talk Bling, Baby!

Okay, let’s get one thing straight. The Crown Jewels aren’t just old; they’re ancient—but not in the way you think. Some bits are medieval, while others are practically teenagers. It’s a mixed-up family reunion of gems and gold.

You’d think the whole collection is from 1066, right? Nope. The oldest piece is the Anointing Spoon, and it’s dodged destruction for over 700 years. It’s the ultimate survivor of a chaotic history.

The Real Ancient Artifact

Let’s talk about that spoon. It dates back to the 12th century, around the 1300s. That makes it older than the printing press, the compass, and even the English dictionary.

It’s used to pour holy oil on a new monarch. And here’s the kicker: it survived Oliver Cromwell, who melted down all the other royal bling. He sold the gold, smashed the crowns, but kept the spoon because—get this—it was just too handy.

Seriously, the man had a thing for cutlery. The spoon is plain silver, not even gold. It’s the underdog of the collection, and I love it for that.

The Crowns Are Newer Than You Think

Now, the crowns themselves? They’re mostly reconstructions. The original medieval crowns were destroyed in 1649, right after King Charles I lost his head. Cromwell turned them into coins.

The current Imperial State Crown was made in 1937 for King George VI. That’s younger than your grandma’s Tupperware. It’s heavy, weighs over a kilogram, and the king reportedly complained it hurt his neck.

St. Edward’s Crown, used for the actual crowning, is from 1661. It’s a direct remake of the medieval one, but it’s so heavy (2.2 kg) that it’s only worn for a few seconds. Imagine wearing a bag of potatoes on your head for a photo op.

Wait, The Gems Are Older Than the Crowns

Here’s the fun twist: the gold and gems are ancient, but the settings are new. The Crown Jewels are like a classic car with a brand-new paint job. The stones have been swapped, reused, and re-homed for centuries.

Take the Koh-i-Noor diamond, for example. It’s at least 800 years old, but it got re-cut in 1852 to look more modern. The original cut was a dull, old-fashioned shape, so they hacked it down to make it shine brighter.

And the Cullinan I, the big star in the Sovereign’s Sceptre? That diamond is over 3 billion years old. Yes, billion with a B. It was formed deep in the Earth’s mantle before dinosaurs existed.

The Crown Jewels: A History of Opulence | History Hit

Quirky Details That Will Blow Your Mind

There’s a spoon that’s older than the country’s parliamentary system. And there’s also a giant salt cellar, shaped like a castle, from the 1500s. It’s pure Tudor bling, and it’s ridiculously ornate.

The collection includes not just crowns, but spurs, sceptres, and a golden eagle-shaped ampulla for the holy oil. The ampulla is from 1661, but the spoon inside it? Ancient.

Here’s a weird one: the Black Prince’s Ruby isn’t a ruby at all. It’s a spinel, and it’s been in royal hands since 1367. Henry V wore it on his helmet at the Battle of Agincourt. Talk about a lucky charm.

Why We Even Care

Why is this fun? Because it’s a timeline you can wear. Every crown has had a dodgy history—stolen, melted, remade, lost, and found. The jewels are like a soap opera in gemstone form.

Also, they’re used today! King Charles III wore the Imperial State Crown during his coronation in 2023. That crown contains the spinel, the Koh-i-Noor, and the Cullinan II—all pieces with centuries of drama.

So next time you see them on TV, remember: you’re looking at a 3-billion-year-old diamond sitting in a 60-year-old frame, blessed with oil from a 700-year-old spoon. It’s the ultimate mashup of old and new.

The Final Takeaway

The Crown Jewels aren’t a single artifact. They’re a patchwork of history, and that’s what makes them magical. They’ve been through beheadings, fires, and a certain grumpy man with a hammer.

If you ever visit the Tower of London, don’t just look at the sparkle. Look for the spoon. Give that humble silver ladle a nod. It’s seen it all—and it’s not even gold.

Now go blow your friends’ minds with this trivia. They’ll think you’re a genius. And honestly, you kind of are.