Peter the Great established the State Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation to collect jewels from the Romanov dynasty. The collection was intended to remain undisturbed to glorify the Russian Empire, not be sold or altered. Each new ruler added pieces from their reign. Some of the original pieces date to the 15th-17th centuries. The collection includes the Star of the Order of St. Andrew from 1774 made of gold, silver and diamonds established by Peter the Great to recognize merit, and a neck badge from the Order of St. Anne from 1760 which was a Russian award with different classes.

1. Jewelsof the Romanovs In 1719, Peter “The Great,” having visited many nations around Europe during the “Grand Embassy” tour, brought back many new programs and ideals to the Russian people to beginthe evolution of a progressing nation. One of the created institutions was the State Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation, a special collection of jewels from the lineage of the Romanov Dynasty. Important to notice, the collection was not the possession of the Romanov’s, but instead the property of the people. Peter ruled that the collection was to remain undisturbed for the permanent glory of the Russian Empire, hence it was illegal to alter, sell, or give away any of the pieces. Each new Emperor or Empress was required to donate pieces of jewelry acquired during his or her reign, which are located in a secure room in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, in the Diamond Chamber. Peter, the first to add to the collection, left all of the jewelry from his coronation and others he had acquired during his reign. Many of the original pieces are from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.

3. Established by Peter “The Great” to give recognition to the most eminent civilian or military merits.

4. Made of Gold, Silver, and Diamonds (24.27 carats)

6. Meant to symbolize good luck and future wealth

8. Became a Russian award in 1742.

9. Came in four classes. The top three classes could be awarded with swords for gallantry in action or military merit in times of war.

10. 1st class was worn on sash, but with the star on the right breast.

11. 2nd class was worn at the neck.

12. 3rd class was worn as a breast badge suspended from the order's ribbon.

15. A gift from King Gustav III of Sweden to Catherine “The Great”, for the right to marry one of her grand-daughters