Although Faberge constructed many eggs from gold, some eggs were made of precious stone or other metals. The Alexander Palace Egg, crafted in 1908, is made of jade, according to Brigham Young University. Additionally, one egg is made of rock crystal while another is composed of steel, which reflected the country's involvement in World War I.
Many Faberge eggs were ornately decorated with jewels, precious metals and photos. For example, diamonds and pearls symbolize flowers on the Lilies of the Valley Egg and three diamond-encrusted frames atop the egg display pictures of Nicholas II and two of his daughters.
Each egg has an inner component, made of gold or platinum, as a surprise for the recipient. The Red Cross Egg contains framed photos of Empress Alexandra Fedorovna and her daughters in honor of their charity work. Some eggs contain a miniature model of a vacation home, the family yacht or a train.