The Extravagant Jewelry Vault of the Sultan of Brunei (And Who Gets to Wear It)

Ancient Art & Jewelry
Sep 23, 2026

If you have ever seen a photograph of a Brunei royal tiara, what comes first to your mind? Why does it look more like something from a modern luxury showroom than a centuries-old royal vault? And that is exactly what makes Brunei jewelry vault so mysterious. Its royal jewelry collection is remarkably modern, filled with enormous diamonds, emeralds, rubies and unusual shapes. Yet these jewels are seen only occasionally — and when they appear, the question is almost as fascinating as the jewelry itself: who is actually allowed to wear them?
So we invite you to watch this video to better understand the Brunei royal collection and the woman who has worn more of these extraordinary pieces than anyone else: Queen Saleha.