# jewel in the crown

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/jewel-in-the-crown
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The most valuable or important thing or person among others of its kind.

## Examples

- This historic library is the jewel in the crown of our city.
- The company considers its new research facility to be the jewel in the crown of its global operations.
- While the museum houses many impressive artifacts, the rare diamond necklace remains the undisputed jewel in the crown of the entire collection.

## Origin

The phrase historically referred to India under the British Raj (1858–1947), the rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.