Andrew Grima was one of the leading London jewellers in the 1960’s.
Yesterday, Princess Anne was beside her mother’s (Queen Elizabeth II’s) coffin while it was being transported from Saint Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Her Royal Highness opted to wear a stunning pair of her favourite earrings that were designed by none other than semi-Maltese jeweller Andrew Grima.
The earrings were a gift to the Princess from her parents during the 1960’s. The remarkable earrings have a gold and diamond infused leaf design surrounding the central pearl.
Princess Anne was spotted wearing the earring many times throughout many important events including her second wedding to Timothy Laurence.
Jeweller Andrew Grima was born in Rome in 1921 before moving to London as a young child. One of his parents was Maltese whilst the other was Italian.
He started working with his father at his jewellery business shortly after World War II and soon became one of the most prominent jewellers in all of London. He was most famously known for his originality and abstract infused designs that were lacking from contemporary jewellers at the time.
Lord Snowdon, Princess Margaret’s husband at the time was the first of the Royals to come across Andrew Grima’s genius.
The Queen and many other members of the Royal Family soon followed suite in joining in on Lord Snowdon’s admiration for Andrew’s work.
Royal Family aside, Andrew has had many other famous clients – such as Polish director Roman Polanski and his wife, actress Sharon Tate.
Throughout his lifetime, Andrew Grima won 12 prestigious De Beers Awards and his legacy continues through his daughter, Francesca Grima, who still designs jewellery in London to this day.
Some of Andrew’s pieces are displayed at the esteemed Victoria and Albert Museum. in the collection of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.
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