3. The Mary Tudor Pearl

Tudor & Stewart World in 100 Objects

Published 13th February 2016

The-Mary-Tudor-Pearl — The Mary Tudor Pearl

At 64.5 carats and 258.12 grams, Mary’s is the third largest natural pearl known. If the diamond tip is included, it is a stunning 69.8 carats!

Isabella-of-Portugal-probably-wearing-the-pearl-although-the-painting-is-posthumous-by-Titian-©-Prado — Isabella of Portugal probably wearing the pearl, although the painting by Titian is posthumous © Prado

Juana married her double cousin, Prince Joao Manuel of Portugal, but returned to Spain on his death in 1554.The pearl was then sent to Mary I as part of the negotiations for her marriage to Juana’s brother, Philip of Spain.

It has always been assumed that it was returned to Spain on Mary’s death, but in her will, although she specifies other gems he gave her, including large table diamonds, she does not specify the pearl.

It may be that, as the two gems are linked in the pendant Mary wore, she considered it a single item, although that would not be my first interpretation of her bequest:

This article is part of a Profile on Mary I available in paperback and kindle format from Amazon