The upcoming coronation of King Charles III promises to display a remarkable collection of artifacts and the most exquisite gems from around the globe. These items not only captivate the eyes but also establish a tangible and symbolic connection with the bygone era.
Here's a sneak peek of some noteworthy pieces that will be on display.
St. Edward's Crown
Crafted in 1661 specifically for the coronation of King Charles II, the solid gold crown that will adorn the head of Charles III is an awe-inspiring masterpiece.
Adorned with over 400 precious gemstones, including rare rubies and sapphires, this regal piece weighs a whopping two kilograms.
Eddie LeVian, the chief executive of Le Vian jewellery brand, highlighted the significance of the gems in the crown, stating, "It is not just that they're precious jewels..., these are some of the finest gems that came from mines that are extinct today.
"As those mines ran out, the new mines were not producing those qualities and even back when they were, these were the best of the best. They're priceless."
The Imperial State Crown
Another spectacular piece that will grace King Charles III's head during his coronation is the Imperial State Crown. Commissioned in 1937 for King George VI's coronation, this crown boasts an impressive array of precious gems, including 2,868 diamonds, 269 pearls, 17 sapphires, and 11 emeralds. Of particular note is the front-facing gem, which is the second-largest stone ever cut from the famous Cullinan diamond.
Queen Mary's Crown
During the coronation of Camilla as queen consort, she will be crowned with Queen Mary's Crown, which has a rich history. However, it is worth noting that the crown will not feature the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond that once served as its centrepiece.
India claims ownership of this legendary diamond, and it has been a source of controversy for years. Instead, the Koh-i-Noor diamond will be substituted with precious stones sourced from the Cullinan diamond and the royal collection.
LeVian, whose ancestors protected the Koh-i-Noor when it was in the possession of the shah of Persia in the 18th century stated, "She has wisely chosen to be a role model.”
The Cullinan diamond
Discovered in South Africa in 1905, the Cullinan diamond held the distinction of being the largest ever mined, weighing an astounding 621 grams in its raw and uncut form. Two years later, in 1907, the Transvaal government presented this magnificent gem to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday as a symbol of reconciliation following the end of the Second Boer War (1899-1902).
The Sovereign's Sceptre with Dove
Symbolic of the Christian Holy Ghost, the sceptre is designed as a gold rod with a globe, cross, and dove perched atop it. Referred to as "the Rod of Equity and Mercy," this sceptre is closely linked to the spiritual duties of the monarch.
The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross
In addition to the sceptre symbolizing the monarch's spiritual role, Charles will wield a second sceptre that represents the monarch's temporal power and commitment to good governance.
This sceptre features the largest colourless cut diamond in existence, known as the Cullinan I or the "First Star of Africa."
Weighing an impressive 106 grams, this diamond takes pride of place at the top of the sceptre.
The Sovereign's Orb
Representing the monarch's authority and the Christian world, the orb is a striking gold piece of jewellery encircled by a band of precious stones such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls. Atop the orb rests a magnificent amethyst and a cross, adding to the orb's symbolism and significance.
Cross of Wales
As part of the ceremony, a silver cross containing fragments believed by the Vatican to be from the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified will be on display. The fragments, of the “True Cross” gifted by Pope Francis, have been meticulously fashioned into a small cross and seamlessly incorporated into the overall design. The tiny cross is visible through a rose crystal gemstone, adding to the ceremony's spiritual significance.
Rod with Dove
Although animal rights groups have called for it to be retired, Queen Camilla will hold an ivory sceptre during the ceremony. The sceptre, topped with a dove, has been a part of every queen consort's regalia since 1685. In addition to the ivory sceptre, Camilla will also carry a gold sceptre with a cross perched on top.
The gold Ampulla
The eagle-shaped vessel is a vital part of the coronation ceremony, as it holds the sacred oil used to anoint the monarch. The eagle's head is removable, allowing for the oil to be carefully poured into the vessel.
The vessel's design is inspired by a legend that dates back to medieval times, where it is believed that the Virgin Mary appeared to the English saint Thomas Becket, presenting him with a golden eagle and oil to be used in the anointing of future English kings.
The Spurs
One of Britain's most ancient coronation items, made of gold, leather, velvet, and gold thread, are the spurs used to represent knighthood. This tradition dates back to the coronation of Richard I in 1189 and was used to fasten the spurs to the king's feet during the ceremony. However, for queens, the spurs were presented and placed on the altar instead.
Coronation ring
Dating back to the coronation of King William IV in 1831, the ring is a significant part of Britain's coronation regalia. However, it was not worn by Queen Victoria during her coronation in 1838 due to her small finger size.
Purple Robe of Estate
The monarch's cypher, wheat ears, and olive branches are embroidered on a silk robe that took 12 seamstresses from the Royal School of Needlework 3,500 hours to make.
The Coronation Chair
The two-metre-high oak chair, commissioned by King Edward I in 1300, is considered the oldest piece of furniture in the UK. It is also known as the Coronation Chair, as it has been used in every British coronation since 1308.
The chair incorporates the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scotland's monarchy that Edward I seized in 1296. The 152kg stone was taken from London's Westminster Abbey by Scottish nationalists in 1950 and later reappeared in Arbroath Abbey, Scotland. It was formally returned to Scotland in 1996, but will be brought back to London for the ceremony.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Anurag Bajpayee's Gradiant: The water company tackling a global crisis
In a world increasingly defined by scarcity, one resource is emerging as the most quietly decisive factor in the future of industry, sustainability, and even geopolitics: water. Yet, while the headlines are dominated by energy transition and climate pledges, few companies working behind the scenes on water issues have attracted much public attention. One of them is Gradiant, a Boston-based firm that has, over the past decade, grown into a key player in the underappreciated but critical sector of industrial water treatment.
A Company Born from MIT, and from Urgency
Founded in 2013 by Anurag Bajpayee and Prakash Govindan, two researchers with strong ties to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Gradiant began as a scrappy start-up with a deceptively simple premise: make water work harder. At a time when discussions about climate change were centred almost exclusively on carbon emissions and renewable energy, the trio saw water scarcity looming in the background.
Their insight was that some of the world’s largest industries—semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage—were facing acute water-related challenges long before the general public grasped the issue. “Without water, these industries don’t just slow down; they stop,” Bajpayee has often remarked. What Gradiant offered was not just a way to save water, but a way to rethink how it is used, recycled, and valued.
The Engineers Behind the Mission
Anurag Bajpayee, the company’s CEO, whose academic path took him to MIT, where he completed a PhD in Mechanical Engineering focused on water treatment technologies. It was there that he met Govindan, a fellow engineer and now Gradiant's co-founder and COO, whose expertise complemented his in fluid mechanics and process engineering.
Unlike many founders who drift towards the language of venture capital and corporate strategy, Anurag Bajpayee and his team remained grounded in the technical problem: how to make industrial water treatment more efficient, more affordable, and more sustainable. The company still bears the imprint of its founders’ engineering roots. Gradiant is less Silicon Valley startup and more MIT lab, albeit one that has quietly expanded across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
What Gradiant Actually Does
The company specializes in designing and building bespoke water treatment and reuse systems for industrial clients. Its technologies are aimed at enabling factories and plants to reclaim water that would otherwise be discarded as waste, reducing both the amount of water withdrawn from natural sources and the volume of contaminated water discharged.
At the heart of Gradiant’s portfolio are proprietary technologies such as Counter Flow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO), Carrier Gas Extraction (CGE) and Selective Ion Recovery (SIR), developed from the Gradiant founders’ early research at MIT. Unlike traditional methods like reverse osmosis, these systems are designed to handle highly contaminated or complex wastewater streams, enabling clients to extract clean water even from previously unusable sources.
But Gradiant does not sell “one-size-fits-all” machines. Each project is tailored to the customer’s unique needs. For a semiconductor plant in Singapore, this might mean achieving ultrapure water reuse levels of 98%; for a food and beverage factory in Texas, it might be about safely treating wastewater for discharge while minimising energy consumption. The company's approach—sometimes called "solutioneering" internally—is both its competitive advantage and its raison d'être.
Expansion Without the Usual Hype
Gradiant’s growth has been quietly impressive. From its first commercial project in the oil and gas sector, it has gone on to complete over 500 installations worldwide. The company has raised more than $400 million in funding from a mix of institutional investors and private equity firms, achieving so-called “unicorn” status, with a valuation reportedly over $1 billion.
Unlike many green tech firms, Gradiant’s expansion has not been accompanied by flashy marketing campaigns or grandiose statements. Instead, the company has preferred to build credibility client by client, particularly in Asia, where water-intensive industries and growing environmental pressures make its services indispensable. Anurag Bajpayee, never one to speak in superlatives, frames the company’s expansion as a “response to urgent need” rather than a triumph of business.
Inside Gradiant’s Operations
At its core, Gradiant is still an engineering-first company. Anurag Bajpayee and Govindan, both technically trained and heavily involved in the company’s operations, have instilled a culture where R&D is not just a department but the lifeblood of the business. The firm currently holds more than 250 patents globally, a testament to its ongoing commitment to innovation.
But Gradiant’s success is not just about technology. The company has differentiated itself by offering not just equipment but full-service solutions, including project design, construction, operations, and maintenance. This full-stack approach has been particularly attractive to clients in highly regulated industries, who need water management solutions that work seamlessly and reliably without requiring deep in-house expertise.
Gradiant’s clients include some of the world’s largest manufacturers, including Fortune 500 companies in sectors like microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, and energy. Some, like semiconductor producers, rely on Gradiant to help them meet stringent water reuse targets while maintaining ultra-clean production environments.
Navigating a Changing World
Gradiant operates at the intersection of several converging trends: climate change, regulatory pressure, and industrial decarbonisation. In many regions, water scarcity has become the limiting factor for industrial growth, sometimes more than energy availability or supply chain constraints.
While public attention often focuses on domestic water use, it is industries that consume the lion’s share of freshwater. Gradiant's pitch is straightforward: industries will have to do more with less, and Gradiant offers the tools to make that possible.
Anurag Bajpayee is keenly aware of the paradox that water, despite being vital, is often underpriced and undervalued, especially when compared to energy. “We don’t pay what it’s worth, only what it costs,” he told an audience at a recent conference. Yet, the landscape is shifting. Regulators, investors, and companies themselves are increasingly acknowledging water as both a business risk and a social responsibility.
What's Next for Gradiant?
Looking ahead, Gradiant appears poised to play a central role as industries adapt to water scarcity. Yet, Anurag Bajpayee remains cautious about the hype cycle. "The problem we’re working on isn’t going anywhere," he says. "It’s not a question of innovation alone, but of execution—of making sure these solutions actually reach the places that need them most."
In an era where water risk is increasingly material to business, Gradiant’s quiet, technically grounded approach may prove to be exactly what is needed.
(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Eastern Eye. The publication does not endorse or take responsibility for the accuracy of any statements made by the author.)