Les Diamants De La Couronne Et Joyaux Des Souverains Français

Since 1889, the Crown Jewels and Diamonds have been on display in the Galerie d'Apollon at the Musée du Louvre.

The collection of Crown Diamonds was initiated in 1530 by François I, who declared a group of eight stones and jewels in his possession to be inalienable. This initial collection, of which only the ruby known as the Côte-de-Bretagne has survived, was subsequently considerably enlarged, particularly by Louis XIV. In addition to the jewels that formed the initial core of the collection, miraculously excluded from the 1887 sale and kept after the Revolution, there are now historical pieces acquired or donated since the mid-twentieth century.

This richly illustrated book provides a fresh insight into the collection. It examines the history of the collection through new research. A study of casts kept in mysterious boxes with no inventory number has recently made it possible to identify jewels that have now disappeared, and to add to our knowledge of the Crown's precious stones.