King Kalakaua's gems on show at palace today
 | Photo gallery: Royal Jewelry |
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Video: 'Iolani Palace showcases 3 royal jewels |
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
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The ring King David Kalakaua wore for his coronation exactly 125 years ago will be part of a one-day exhibit at 'Iolani Palace today that will include two other jewels from Kalakaua's reign never before viewed in public.
"This is the first time I've seen these," palace curator Stuart W.H. Ching said last night as the exhibit was being prepared. "They're spectacular."
The three pieces will be available for public viewing at the palace — under tight security — during a free open house beginning at 2 p.m. The open house will follow ceremonies that begin at noon commemorating Kalakaua's coronation at the palace's coronation pavilion.
Abigail Campbell Kawananakoa offered two pieces from her private collection for the exhibit:
Kawananakoa is a descendant of Princess Kekaulike, sister of Kalakaua's wife, Queen Kapi'o-lani. Her mother, Abigail Campbell Kawananakoa, was the eldest daughter of ranching and sugar tycoon James Campbell.
Kawananakoa received the "miniatures" diamond necklace from her grandmother, Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, Ching said. An exhibit accompanying the royal jewels includes a 1954 photo of the younger Kawananakoa wearing the necklace in front of a portrait of Princess Ka'iulani.
"She's very pleased to share with the public some of the family jewels," said Dale Cripps, a graduate gemologist who does work for the palace and Kawana-nakoa.
BACK TO THE VAULT
They will be returned to Kawananakoa's bank vault following the exhibit.
The 18-karat gold carnelian intaglio-cut gemstone ring that Kalakaua wore for his coronation is on loan from the Bishop Museum and also will go back into the museum's vaults.
Its stone was carved into the shape of the royal Hawaiian crest, surrounded by diamonds. The ring came from England, Ching said, along with Kalakaua's crowns and other regalia for his coronation.
The rich history of the royal jewels going on exhibit today, along with their 19th-century detailed craftsmanship, make them priceless, Cripps said.
"It's very hard to put a value on pieces like this because they come with high provenance from the royal family," Cripps said. "How do you put a value on that?"
Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.
