A dazzling tiara belonging to Queen Victoria turned up in a private Highgate home last week, Heathman was surprised to learn.
The exquisite sapphire and diamond headpiece was the star guest at a talk by Antiques Roadshow jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn, as he put on a glittering display telling Highgate residents all about the monarch’s jewels.
More than 50 people gathered to see the collection and listen to the history of Queen Victoria’s precious gems on January 18.
The audience learned that Prince Albert would lavish expensive gifts on his wife and each stone would represent a different form of devotion between the couple.
Diamonds were for eternity, rubies for passion and turquoise for true love.
The talk raised �3,000 for the humanitarian aid charity World Jewish Relief.
The money will be spent on its Connections scholarship programme, providing financial support for Jewish students in the former Yugoslavia who could not otherwise study.
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