| Mary Queen of Scots, also known as Marie Stuart, | | | | Elizabeth I, the cousin of Mary's who ordered her |
| also known as Mary I, is one of the most fascinating | | | | imprisonment, bought this valuable piece as she was a |
| characters of the 1500's. Married three times and | | | | collector of pearls. The pearls were appraised by a |
| possibly partially responsible for her second husband's | | | | variety of people who had interest in them, and they |
| death, Mary was tried for treason and executed in | | | | were estimated to be worth sixteen thousand crowns. |
| 1587. | | | | Elizabeth I paid twelve thousand crowns for them. |
| Because she was crowned at 9 months and six days | | | | The pearls are not all white. In fact, old reports say that |
| old, and because of her multiple marriages, Mary | | | | the larger pearls were "like black muscades," a rare |
| Queen of Scots had the opportunity to amass a | | | | variety of pearl that has a purple hue. Despite the fact |
| considerable amount of jewelry during her life. She had | | | | that many jewelers from all over Europe tried to buy |
| crown jewels, of course, but also had a personal | | | | the valuable pearls, Elizabeth was given preference. |
| collection that included many pearls, other precious | | | | The reason Mary was in the process of selling her |
| gems, gold, and silver. Two ruby chains that belonged | | | | treasures is related to her relationship with James |
| to her contained two rubies each, two diamonds each, | | | | Hepburn, the 4th Earl of Bothwell. It is rumored that |
| and twenty-four pearls each. | | | | Bothwell was Mary's second husband's murderer. |
| Her mantle was totally encrusted in jewels. Her crown | | | | Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley was the name of that |
| was made out of fine gold and shone with emeralds, | | | | second husband. His death is shrouded in mystery. He |
| diamonds, rubies and pearls. She inherited many jewels | | | | reportedly died of strangulation in the garden of his |
| from her great-grandfather Henry VII, so she had in her | | | | home. It is thought that Bothwell was the culprit, and |
| possession many Tudor pieces. | | | | there is a lot of speculation as to whether or not Mary |
| Many of Queen Mary's fifty dresses were adorned | | | | was involved. There were conflicting stories - some |
| with pearls and other jewels, and embroidered with | | | | say that Bothwell was a bad guy and that Mary was |
| gold and silver. Most of her crepe veils were also | | | | forced to marry him. Others say that Mary was |
| adorned with pearls and other jewels. While much of | | | | infatuated with Bothwell and that they plotted the |
| Mary's property has been scattered into the wind, and | | | | murder of Lord Darnley together. |
| the fate of what was arguably her most valuable | | | | It is known that Mary showered jewels upon Bothwell. |
| piece of jewelry likely lies in the current queen's | | | | Not the famous pearls, however, as they were safely |
| jewelry collection. | | | | and promptly sold to Queen Elizabeth I, who said they |
| This valuable piece is a six-stranded pearl necklace | | | | were "of unparalleled beauty. |
| rosary that contains more than 600 pearls. Queen | | | | |