Since time immemorial Tiaras have been associated with royalty and stature. Today, however, tiaras are more of a fashion statement than a representation of royalty. A bride wears a tiara on her wedding day and so do women for a white tie event and for beauty pageants all over the world. These fancy and charming headgears have seen many changes over the years and their usage is no longer limited to a royal lineage. Earlier tiaras were embellished with colorful gems like sapphires, emeralds, rubies, etc. Today they are subtly designed with mostly white diamonds and pearls, giving them a dazzling effect. Here’s a look at some of the most exquisite tiaras worn by women throughout history.
1. George VI Victorian Suite Tiara
Queen Elizabeth II was gifted the George VI Victorian Suite Tiara by her father on her wedding day. It is known to be one of Queen’s favorites. The suit consists of a magnificent necklace and earrings that feature blue sapphires enclosed by white diamonds.
2. The Dutch Sapphire Tiara
King Willem III of the Netherlands, purchased the Dutch Sapphire Tiara for his wife, Queen Emma in 1881. The stunning tiara features 33 blue sapphires and 655 diamonds, set in platinum. The tiara is made to look like the Gothic architecture of a huge cathedral with sparkling stained glass windows. Several of its stones are fixed to a trembler that creates movement when worn and reflects the adjacent light. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has modified the tiara slightly to look a little more modern.
3. The Natural Pearl and Diamond Tiara by Chaumet
The incredible natural pearl and diamond tiara by Chaumet was made in 1920. It sold for a whopping $3.8 million at Sotheby’s in Geneva in 2012.
4. Spanish Floral Tiara
The 19th-century Spanish Floral Tiara is a favorite of Princess Letizia. The tiara is pretty impressively set in gold and silver in a floral motif. The design is such that it can actually be worn as a necklace and the center flower can become a brooch.
5. Ocean Tiara
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The Ocean Tiara made by Van Cleef & Arpels, seems to be the favorite of Princess Charlene Wittstock. It’s design features a sea-spume motif created from more than 850 diamonds of the finest quality and 359 sapphires in graduated shades of blue indicating the different seas of the world. The Ocean Tiara can also be doubled as a necklace and has removable elements that can be worn separately.
6. Henckel Von Donnersmarck Tiara
This incredible tiara features enormous emeralds, which total more than 500 carats and are believed to be part of a collection of Empress Eugénie of France. It is the most expensive tiara to be sold at auction, at $7.8 million.
7. Mike Todd Diamond Tiara
Filmmaker Mike Todd gifted this spectacular diamond tiara to his then-wife actress Elizabeth Taylor. It featured 9 mine-cut diamonds with diamond latticework motifs, mounted in platinum and gold. It sold for $2.7 million at Christie’s New York in May 2011 as part of Taylor’s jewelry collection sale.
8. Diamond tiara from the Bourbon Parma Royal Collection, Hübner
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Austrian jeweler Hübner made this exquisite tiara for Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria. It features fleur de Lys motifs that are millegrain-set with cushion, pear-cut, circular, single-cut, and rose diamonds. Its three largest motifs are detachable and can be worn as brooches.
9. Grand Duchess Alexandra of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Tiara, Fabergé
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This rare Belle Époque aquamarine and diamond tiara by Fabergé sold for an astounding £819,000 at Christie’s Geneva in May 2019. This was a wedding gift by the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin to his bride Princess Alexandra.
10. Duchess of Roxburghe tiara, Cartier
The Duke of Roxburghe gave this stunning tiara to his wife Lady Mary Evelyn Hungerford Crewe-Milne, in 1935, as a wedding gift. It sold at £1.7 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in May 2015.
11. Cartier Halo Tiara
The Duchess of Cambridge wore the Cartier Halo Tiara on her wedding day. It featured 739 brilliant cut diamonds and 149 baguette diamonds. Queen Elizabeth II lent it to Kate.
Picture courtesy: pinterest.com, tatler.com, sothebys.com, thecourtjeweller.com, forbes.com, vogue.in, christies.com
