How Old Are The Crown Jewels

So, you want to know how old the Crown Jewels are? Grab a cuppa, because this is a story that’s part heist-proof vault, part time-traveling gossip session. We’re talking about the sparkly bits that have sat on the heads of British monarchs for centuries. But here’s the kicker: they aren’t all ancient relics; some are surprisingly modern, like a diamond-encrusted millennial.

The Big, Old Heavyweights

Let’s start with the St. Edward’s Crown, the one used for the actual crowning moment. It’s a serious piece of hardware, weighing nearly five pounds. Imagine wearing that for a brunch, let alone a ceremony. This crown was made for King Charles II in 1661—that makes it roughly 362 years old. But wait, it’s a replacement. The original, from the 11th century, was melted down by Oliver Cromwell. Oops.

Then there’s the Imperial State Crown, the one the Queen wore leaving Westminster Abbey. It’s actually a 20th-century remake from 1937 (with adjustments in 1953). So that one’s barely 85! It’s practically a teenager in crown years. Yet it houses some of the oldest gems in the collection, like the Black Prince’s Ruby from the 1360s. So the stones are ancient, but the setting is a new-build. It’s like wearing a vintage brooch on a brand-new hoodie.

The Swords, Spoons, and Super-Old Bits

Now, let’s get to the true seniors. The Coronation Spoon is the oldest piece in the entire collection, dating back to the 12th century—around 1190. That’s pre-Magna Carta. It’s the utensil used to anoint the monarch with holy oil. Yes, a 900-year-old spoon. It survived Cromwell because a guy named Clement Kynnersley bought it for 16 shillings. Imagine haggling at a garage sale for a national treasure. “Best I can do is a fiver and a bag of crisps.”

There are also the Amps (like a fancy oil can) and the Armills (golden bracelets) that are also from the Restoration period, but some are medieval copies. The Crown of Scotland (the Honours) is even older—from 1540. But we’re talking about the English ones here, so let’s stay on track. Don’t get jaded by the sparkle.

Crown Jewels Age at Summer Mathew blog

The Real Party Trick: Sizes and Dates

Here’s the wild part: the Crown Jewels aren’t a single set. They’re a living collection. Many pieces are less than 200 years old. The Koh-i-Noor diamond—the massive 105-carat rock—was acquired by the British in 1849. That’s about 173 years of sparkle under royal control. It’s a relative newcomer. Meanwhile, the Little Crown made for Queen Victoria in 1870 is just a baby at 152 years. It’s basically a tween in diamond years.

The Cullinan I diamond (the big one in the Sovereign’s Sceptre) is from 1905. That sceptre was modified in 1910. So the sceptre itself is over 400 years old (originally for Charles II), but the diamond is only 119. Remember: the metalwork is often from the 1600s, but the gems are either much older or shockingly recent. It’s like a historic house with Ikea lightbulbs.

How Many Jewels In The Coronation Crown at Lucinda Kindler blog

Why Are They So Young (Relatively)?

Cromwell is the villain here. After Charles I was executed in 1649, the Puritan Parliament ordered the Crown Jewels to be broken up and sold. They were melted for coinage or sold off. That’s why most of the current collection dates from after 1660, when Charles II was restored. So, the “original” medieval jewels are gone. Thanks, Ollie.

But the tradition is old. The regalia used in the ceremony is based on 13th-century designs. So the idea is 800 years old, even if the actual gold was cast in the 17th century. It’s a bit like saying your car is new, but the route you drive is Roman. Deep, right?

The Crown Jewels

So, How Old Are They?

In a nutshell: the oldest item is the Coronation Spoon (900 years). The youngest major piece is the Imperial State Crown (85 years). Most of the big crowns and sceptres are around 360 years old. The stones, though, range from 500 years to just over a hundred. It’s a mismatched family of treasures. They’re like that group of friends where one is a grandparent and another is a toddler.

But here’s the uplifting truth: age doesn’t matter when it comes to legacy. These jewels have survived wars, idiots with hammers (someone tried to steal them in 1671), and a fire in 1841. They’ve been worn by queens, kings, and (in the case of a crown orb) nearly dropped by a sneezing archbishop. They’re still here, glittering under the lights of the Tower of London, reminding us that even the most precious things can be restored, re-set, and re-loved.

So next time you see a photo of a coronation, don’t worry about the exact birthday. Just smile knowing that a 900-year-old spoon anointed a queen, and a teenage crown held a Roman emperor’s diamond. It’s a beautiful, ridiculous, and utterly brilliant mess—and it’s ours to admire. Long may they sparkle.