Mastery of Design: Diamond Ring with Cameos of George II and Caroline of Ansbach

Diamond Ring with Cameos of George II
and Caroline of Ansbach
Onyx Cameos: c. 1730
Mouting: Early Nineteenth Century
Gold, Silver, enamel, twenty-two European Cut
diamonds
The Royal Collection

Two large European Cut diamonds anchor frames of twenty smaller diamonds which surround onyx cameos of the profiles of King George II and Caroline of Ansbach. On the reverse, inscribed on a field of blue enamel is the garter motto: HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (Evil to him who evil thinks).


The delicate onyx cameos were created in England around 1730 before the death of Caroline. In the early Nineteenth Century, they were mounted in this ring which was presented to the Prince of Wales (who would later become King Edward VII). Upon the death of Edward VII, his wife, Queen Alexandra, presented this magnificent ring to King George V and Mary of Teck.