Archives for November 2018

The Daily Diadem: The Van Cleef and Arpels Ruby Kokoshnik

11.22.2018 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

AFP/Getty Images

Princess Grace of Monaco, pictured with former French Prime Minister Michel Debré, wears a ruby and diamond kokoshnik-style tiara and coordinating jewels at a gala function connected with the restoration of the Palace of Versailles, November 1973; see the suite of jewels, which was borrowed from Van Cleef and Arpels for the occasion, in color here!

The Daily Diadem: The Van Cleef and Arpels Mystery Floral Tiara

11.21.2018 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

MARKA/Alamy

Princess Grace of Monaco wears a diamond tiara on loan from Van Cleef and Arpels for the Centenary Ball in Monte-Carlo, May 1966; the tiara is often (incorrectly) said to have been Empress Josephine’s coronation tiara — you can read more about the provenance questions over here!

Diamonds and Rubies for the Queen in London

11.21.2018 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on Tuesday, but the monarch didn’t get the day off. Instead, she was out and about in diamonds and rubies in London.

Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen stepped out for a visit to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in central London. The institute is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

For the visit, the Queen chose a brooch that’s been in her collection since at least the 1960s: her ruby and diamond spray brooch.

Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Here’s a closer look at the diamond, gold, and ruby brooch, which is definitely mid-century in its design. I don’t believe we have any provenance information for this piece, but the Duke of Edinburgh was certainly known to buy his wife unusual modern jewelry, especially in the first two decades of their marriage. Perhaps, as it was worn on their wedding anniversary, the brooch might have been a present from her husband?