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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Archives for August 2020

Scandi Sparkler Spectacular: Week Three Results!

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We’ve got all the results from our week of Swedish tiara contests!

JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
This was easily one of the biggest blowouts of the tournament so far! The Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure Tiara smashed the competition, winning with 91.19% of the vote, while 8.81% of you selected its competitor, the Swedish Aquamarine Bandeau.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
This contest paired up diamonds and amethysts. While the Baden Fringe Tiara brought in 37.97% of your votes, the Napoleonic Amethyst Parure Tiara was victorious with 62.03% of the vote.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images, Albert Nieboer/DPA Picture Alliance Archive/Alamy
This pairing featured two of Margaret of Connaught’s dazzling wedding gifts. In the end, the Connaught Diamond Tiara brought home a win with 87.41% of the vote, while the King Edward VII Ruby Tiara was chosen by 12.59% of voters.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images
Two non-traditional tiaras met up in this contest! While 24.61% of you selected the Diamond Four Button Tiara, the Cameo Tiara won the day with 75.39% of the vote.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
This was one of the closest votes of the round! The Napoleonic Cut Steel Tiara ultimately triumphed with 59.85% of your votes, but the Diamond Six Button Tiara made the match very interesting, pulling in 40.15% of the vote.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A major heirloom faced off against a modern addition in this contest! Though the Modern Fringe Tiara brought in 39.21% of the vote, 60.79% of you crowned the Braganza Tiara as the round’s winner.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Both tiaras in this contest are linked to one of Sweden’s royal matriarchs. Though Queen Sofia’s Tiara was chosen by 38.59% of voters, the Boucheron Laurel Wreath Tiara survived to the next round with 61.41% of the vote.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images
Our final contest of the week was a battle of the blues! The Swedish Aquamarine Kokoshnik pulled off an impressive win, capturing 86.79% of the vote, while 13.21% of you chose Princess Sofia’s Palmette Tiara.
The Wild Card contests kick off tomorrow morning!

The Crystal Orchid Brooch

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Peter Macdiarmid – WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Queen’s brooch collection is packed with jewels that feature floral designs and motifs. Among that group, today’s brooch, the Crystal Orchid Brooch, manages to stand out thanks to its delicate materials.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The unique brooch features a spray of orchids made of Waterford crystal, 66 diamonds, and rose gold. Close views of the brooch, like this one, show the intricacy of the carving of the crystal orchid petals, as well as the diamond accents on each of the four flowers. The brooch was given to the Queen in 2013 by Mappin and Webb as a gift to mark the 60th anniversary of her coronation. The jewel was a collaboration between Mappin and Webb and Waterford.
Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Appropriately, as Waterford Crystal has its roots in Ireland, the Queen debuted the brooch during an important Irish occasion: the first official state visit of the Irish Republic’s head of state to the United Kingdom. She wore the jewel to greet President Higgins during a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle in April 2014.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Later the same day, she switched the brooch from her light blue coat to the paisley-printed dress beneath for events inside the castle. The crystal brooch virtually disappears against the printed garment, demonstrating how vital a bold but plain background is in allowing the brooch’s details to shine.
Lynne Cameron – WPA Pool/Getty Images
On most occasions, she has indeed chosen a vibrantly-colored, solid background for the jewel. In April 2015, she wore the brooch at Sheffield Cathedral for the annual Royal Maundy Service. On that occasion, the brooch stood out nicely against a deep turquoise coat.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Here’s one more image from the Royal Maundy appearance that gives you a view of the brooch from the side.
Chris Radburn – WPA Pool/Getty Images
And in February 2016, she wore the brooch for a visit to the Norfolk Hospice at Hillington near King’s Lynn, again with a blue background. The brooch’s most recent appearance came in December 2017, when she wore it with a dark purple dress for a Christmas staff luncheon at the Goring Hotel.