The touching significance behind the Queen’s art deco aquamarine brooch

Her Majesty the Queen braved the recent heatwave hitting the United Kingdom, making a public appearance to open the Thames Hospice in Maidenhead with Princess Anne. Fans spotted the Queen’s aquamarine brooch, a piece which the Queen holds close to her heart and has deep connections to her family.  

• The Queen wore a stylish pale blue dress paired with a stunning set of aquamarine twin brooches on her latest public outing
• The art deco aquamarine brooch was a favorite of the Queen Mother, and was passed down to Her Majesty upon her death in 2002
• In other royal news, Joanna Lumley stuns in striking neon pink look to receive major honor at Buckingham Palace

Looking stylish and cool in the heat, the Queen stepped out with her daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal, to open a hospital on Friday. Opting for a pale blue frock, Her Majesty scored style points for the colorful dress which she paired with a hot pink lipstick.

Many eyes were also drawn to the dazzling aquamarine brooch which completed the outfit.

Here’s everything we know about the Queen’s aquamarine brooch and why it is said to hold a special place in Her Majesty's heart.

Who designed the Queen’s aquamarine brooch?

With multiple cuts of aquamarine jewels and diamond accents, experts agree the brooch is very much in the style of Cartier jewels from the time, however, the maker is unconfirmed.

What is known is that the aquamarine brooch dates back to the 1930s, with one of its first documented appearances in 1939, when the Queen Mother wore the jewel to meet with President Lebrun of France at Windsor Castle.

The brooch was given to Queen Elizabeth II when her mother died in 2002.

Perhaps because it was such a favorite of her mothers, Her Majesty didn’t resurface the art deco aquamarine brooch for over a decade.

It wasn’t until 12 years after her mother’s death that the Queen wore the brooch in public, stepping out at Royal Ascot with the stunning gem pinned to her jacket.

The art deco gem has been worn several times since then, usually at times of celebration where the Queen might have been keeping memories of her mother close to her heart.

The brooch was worn in 2015 for both the Queen’s annual broadcast and the Royal Family attending church.

Maxwell Stone, creative director at luxury jewelry firm Steven Stone estimates the piece is valued at around $40,000.