The UK Crown Jeweler couldn’t be a Jew–or could he? Join Sara Adrien to speculate about what might have been and the secret history behind Instead of Harmony
It sounds like fantasy: a Jewish man rising to the title of Crown Jeweler in Regency England. But peel back the layers of fiction, and you’ll find a truth stranger than any ballroom scandal. While writing Instead of Harmony, I asked a dangerous question: What if Jewish craftsmen had been allowed into the royal inner circle—not just as outsiders, but as architects of its very image? My hero, Raphael “Raphi” Klonimus, is a Crown Jeweler. And while that might seem impossible in a society where Jews were still barred from Society, the facts told a different story.
England, surprisingly, was more tolerant than many of its Continental counterparts during the Regency era. Jews could run businesses, employ apprentices, and even attend university. But there were limits: no public office, no knighthood, and certainly no royal commissions.
Order of George IV
Unless…
Unless there were exceptions. Quiet ones. Hidden in plain sight. In my research, I stumbled upon whispers—Jewish jewelers who sold to nobles, designed for duchesses, even provided baubles to the Prince Regent himself. No titles. No recognition. Just whispered brilliance.
So I wrote the world that could have been. In Instead of Harmony, Raphi doesn’t beg for acceptance. He earns it—with skill, secrets, and scandal. His journey reflects every craftsman ho ever carved diamonds for a crown he’d never wear.
And that’s the story behind the story:
Fact—Jews weren’t officially allowed near the Crown Jewels but there was an exception.
Fiction—One man changed everything. And maybe, just maybe, he didn’t need permission.
I share more about my historical research in my Substack at authorsara.substack.com.
About the Book: Instead of Harmony
The boy she loved.
The duty she chose.
A hidden treasure.
And the kiss that could ruin everything—or save them both.
Book 1 in The Diamond Dynasty—a steamy Regency romance series from #1 bestselling author Sara Adrien, where each Klonimus brother finds love, legacy, and secrets worth uncovering.
Raphi Klonimus always knew Laila was the one. But when her family teetered on the brink of ruin, she made an impossible choice: a dying match made to save her family from ruin. Last time, he stepped aside for honor. Now he’ll step up for love.
When Laila returns to London as a widow, Raphi whisks her to a secluded castle to keep her safe from scandal and the schemes of those who want to claim her again. Alone. Just the two of them. But what begins as protection turns into something else entirely. A single spark reignites the passion neither of them ever truly forgot. And when they uncover a clue to a long-lost treasure tied to the Klonimus family legacy, their second chance becomes far more dangerous than they imagined.
This time, he won’t let her go. But someone is watching. And they’ll do anything to stop the Klonimus brothers from unlocking the past—or building a future.
Welcome to The Diamond Dynasty—where each Klonimus brother finds love and unlocks
treasures from the past.
A full-length steamy Regency romance with a guaranteed happily ever after and no cliffhangers.
Tropes You’ll Love:
✔ Second Chance Romance
✔ Childhood Sweethearts
✔ Friends-to-Lovers
✔ Forced Proximity
✔ Widowed Heroine
✔ Honorable Hero
✔ Hidden castle, royal jewels, and a heart-racing treasure hunt
✔ Jewish heritage
✔ Forbidden Love
✔ Regency Scandal with emotional depth
If you love steamy, emotionally rich historical romance with vivid cultural detail and
unforgettable characters—start this series today.
Read Book 1 of The Diamond Dynasty now!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BM6PX525
Get the whole bundle about the Jewish Crown Jewelers here:
https://saraadrien.com/products/diamond-of-the-ton-collection-1
About the Author
#1 Bestselling author Sara Adrien writes Regency romances brimming with passion, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. While many of her stories include a Jewish twist, her books also feature a vibrant array of professions and talents—from doctors and nurses, foriegn princes and princesses, Crown jewelers to treasure hunters, and culinary heroines. A former law professor, Sara masterfully weaves together historically rich subplots and sizzling love stories that leave a lasting impression. Fans of smart heroines, sexy heroes, and the timeless charm of the Regency era will fall in love with her books. Her series include Infiltrating the Ton, Diamond Dynasty, Check Mates, Miracles on Harley Street, Wedding Fever, and several Lyon’s Den novels.