Whereas jewellery made by Rundells--world-famous at that time--is rare enough, even more so is the 55.8 carat emerald cameo, which the Duchess had inherited from her grandfather, Robert Clive (1725-75), 1st Baron Clive of Plassey. The most successful of all the nabobs who acquired fortunes in India, following a long tradition he transferred much of his wealth home to England in the form of gemstones, some of which he sold, but kept others, such as this cameo, and the diamonds surrounding it, for the women of his family.