Engagement rings often symbolize personal love and commitment, but in the case of Catherine the Great, her imperial jewels represented something far grander: absolute power and the authority of the Russian crown. As one of history’s most formidable rulers, Catherine transformed Russia into a major European power and used her collection of jewels not only as adornments but also as tools of diplomacy, influence, and self-expression. Her imperial jewels, including magnificent crowns, necklaces, and brooches, became a vivid representation of her reign and the legacy she left behind.
Catherine II, who ruled from 1762 to 1796, was known for her …