Where is Anne Boleyn’s B necklace today?
Anne Boleyn’s famous B necklace is one of the most recognisable pieces of Tudor jewelry.
Because of TV series, films and novels, many people ask the same question: where is Anne Boleyn’s B necklace now, and does it still exist?
The honest answer is simple:
there is no solid proof that the original necklace has survived, and its exact fate remains unknown.
In this article we will see what we know about the jewel, what the main theories say, and how you can wear a historically inspired Anne Boleyn B necklace today.
Did Anne Boleyn really own a B necklace?
Yes. Several Tudor portraits show Anne Boleyn wearing a short pearl necklace with a gold B pendant and three drop pearls.
The most famous version hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London, based on an earlier lost painting.
In this portrait, Anne appears as a young woman with a richly embroidered bodice, a French hood and the characteristic B necklace around her neck.
What happened to Anne Boleyn’s jewelry after her death?
During the reign of Henry VIII it was common for the king to give expensive jewelry to other women at court after divorcing or executing his wives.
After Anne Boleyn was executed on 19 May 1536, Henry tried to erase her memory at court by burning portraits and removing her emblems.
However, he did not destroy all of her jewelry.
Some pieces seem to have been passed on to her daughter Elizabeth, including a necklace with the letter A and an AB brooch.
Does Anne Boleyn’s B necklace still exist?
This is where the mystery begins.
There is a romantic idea that some of Anne’s pearls could have survived and later been used by Elizabeth I, or even added to the English crown jewels.
One popular theory claims that four pearls on the Imperial State Crown once belonged to Elizabeth, and before that to Anne.
The problem is that there is no documentary proof for this story.
It is a nice legend, but historians generally consider it unverified and probably invented much later.
Most likely, Anne Boleyn’s B necklace was taken apart and its materials reused in other pieces, as happened to many items of royal jewelry.
The pearls could have been incorporated into other necklaces and worn for generations without anyone knowing their origin.
Why does the B necklace still fascinate us?
Even if the original necklace has disappeared, the image of Anne Boleyn wearing it is very powerful.
For many people the B necklace represents intelligence, ambition and independence in a hostile court.
It is also a symbol of how Henry VIII tried to erase her and still failed: the portrait and the necklace are more famous today than many of his other queens.
Modern series and films about the Tudors have turned the B necklace into a visual shorthand for Anne Boleyn herself.
If you see a woman wearing a gold B with three pearls, you immediately think of Anne.
Can the original B necklace still be found?
Is it possible that the original necklace, or part of it, still exists in a private collection or as part of another jewel?
In theory, yes.
In practice, it is very unlikely that we will ever be able to prove it.
Without clear records, portraits or inventories that link specific pearls to specific pieces, most lost jewels remain anonymous.
From time to time new documents appear and museums make exciting discoveries, but in the case of Anne’s B necklace we still have no solid evidence.
Where can I see a B necklace like Anne Boleyn’s?
If you want to see Anne’s necklace “in person”, the closest thing we have today is her portrait in the National Portrait Gallery in London.
There, the artist shows the B pendant clearly:
a short strand of pearls, a gold B and three pearl drops.
Beyond that, the only way to see a B necklace is through historically inspired replicas that follow the proportions and look of the portrait.
A historically inspired Anne Boleyn B necklace you can wear
At Renaroque we make an Anne Boleyn B pearl necklace replica based on Tudor portraits.
The design follows the short length, the strand of white pearls and the gold B pendant with three drops that you see in the paintings.
We use faux pearls with a glass core, an 18k gold plated B pendant and an adjustable chain so you can wear it either high on the neck, as in the portrait, or at a slightly longer length for modern outfits.
This replica is made in our workshop in Spain, in small batches, for people who want a B necklace with a clear historical base, not a generic “initial necklace”.
How to wear an Anne Boleyn B necklace today
For a classic Anne Boleyn look, wear the necklace short, close to the base of the neck, with a simple square or rounded neckline.
For everyday life, you can wear it a bit longer with dresses, shirts or knitwear in neutral colours.
Many people choose the letter B not only for Anne, but also as the initial of a name in their family or their own name.
Frequently asked questions about Anne Boleyn’s necklace
Is the B necklace in the portraits the real jewel?
We cannot be completely sure, but the portraits were probably based on real jewelry that Anne owned. The B necklace appears consistently in several images.
Did Elizabeth I really inherit Anne’s pearls?
Some pieces may have been passed on, but there is no solid proof that specific pearls from the B necklace ended up in the crown jewels.
Can I see the original B necklace in a museum?
No museum has a B necklace that can be firmly linked to Anne Boleyn. For now, the portraits are the closest thing we have.
What is the best way to get an Anne Boleyn style necklace?
If you want something based on historical portraits, look for replicas that follow the length, the B pendant and the three pearl drops. Our Anne Boleyn B necklace replica was designed with this in mind.
