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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

The Top Ten: Royal Diamond Tiaras

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Since April’s birthstone is the king of all gemstones, the diamond, it’s pretty impossible for me to make one list of my top ten diamond pieces. So instead, let’s break it down item by item, shall we? Today, I’ve made a quick list of my favorite all-diamond tiaras worn by royal women. There are about a million stunning pieces that didn’t make the cut, so be sure to add your list in the comments below!

10. The Dutch Diamond Bandeau

This tiara started out as a necklace, given in 1879 to Queen Emma of the Netherlands. The setting may be simple, but the glitter of these impressive diamonds more than makes up for it.

9. The Luxembourg Empire Tiara

One of the very largest tiaras still worn today by a royal lady, this nineteenth-century piece can be seen gracing the head of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa at major events.

8. The Spanish Floral Tiara

Bought in 1879 for Queen Maria Cristina, this piece left the Spanish royal collection during their exile in the twentieth century. Franco reacquired it for Queen Sofia as a wedding gift, and the Spanish royal ladies have been donning it regularly ever since.

7. Princess Sibilla’s Art Deco Tiara

Princess Sibilla acquired this versatile diamond tiara (probably as a gift from her family) after becoming a member of Luxembourg’s grand ducal family; its gorgeous Art Deco design also allows it to be worn in two distinct versions.

6. The Baden Fringe Tiara

This piece, which originally belonged to Queen Victoria of Sweden, is everything you’d want a sunburst tiara to be: uniform, striking, and oh-so-sparkly.

5. Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara

One of the many treasures of the Leuchtenberg family, this all-diamond tiara is now worn by the Queen of Norway.

4. The Khedive of Egypt Tiara

Made by Cartier in 1905 as a wedding gift for Princess Margaret of Connaught, this lovely tiara has become a sentimental wedding diadem for the descendants of Queen Ingrid of Denmark.

3. The Braganza Tiara

From 1820s imperial Brazil to present-day royal Sweden, this intricate and enormous diamond tiara makes a serious statement. It’s also the perfect tiara for Queen Silvia, whose mother was born in Brazil.

2. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara

Classic and balanced, this fairytale nineteenth-century tiara from Queen Mary’s collection has become the favorite sparkler of her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II.

1. Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara

Can you beat a wall of diamonds? I don’t think you can — and the fact that it’s been an important part of Queen Elizabeth II’s tiara arsenal for more than half a century says it all!

This Week in Royal Jewels: March 20-26

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March 20-26, 2015
Royal tours brought out the bling this week — be sure to vote for your favorites in the poll!
10. Queen Letizia of Spain had planned for these simple earrings to be a part of the first event of a state visit to France this week; however, the visit was cut short after a German aircraft flying from Barcelona tragically crashed in the French Alps.

9. Catching up with an event from last week, Princess Anne wore gold and pearl jewelry during her visit to the Philippines on March 17.
8. Last Thursday, Princess Caroline wore major earrings to visit an art exhibition in Monte Carlo.
7. Queen Elizabeth II wore a familiar jewel — one of Queen Victoria’s diamond bow brooches — for a visit to Kent on Thursday.
6. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden wore glittering earrings during the second day of her visit to South Korea.
5. On Monday, Queen Sofia of Spain wore pearls to visit the Basilica of Santa Teresa in Salamanca.
4. While viewing an exhibition of her gowns on Wednesday, Queen Margrethe II wore a large modern brooch. She worn it on previous occasions, including during one of her addresses to the nation.
3. As the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall wrapped up their American visit on Friday in Louisville, Camilla wore one of my favorite pieces from her jewelry box: her triple strand of pearls with the Art Deco-style clasp.
2. Queen Maxima was her usual exuberant self during a visit to Germany on Friday, decked out in diamonds with exaggerated hoop earrings and a dragonfly brooch.
1. We’ve got a brand-new addition to the Queen’s jewelry collection this week! Elizabeth II wore a new brooch on Friday for the re-dedication of HMS Ocean, the largest Royal Navy warship. HM is the Lady Sponsor of the ship, and the brooch (which is designed to echo the design of badge of the ship) was a gift from the ship’s captain and officers.

The Top Ten: Royal Aquamarines

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It’s no surprise that royal ladies around the world have an affection for aquamarines, the clear and bright gemstone beloved by those born in March. Here are my top ten royal aquamarine jewels — add your list in the comments below!

10. Alexandra Feodorovna’s Aquamarine Brooch

An engagement present from Nicholas II of Russia to his future wife, Alix of Hesse, this lovely brooch features a large Siberian aquamarine. He purchased the piece in St. Petersburg at Fabergé and presented it to Alix in August 1894. Today, it’s in the collection at Wartski’s in London.

9. Queen Fabiola’s Aquamarines

The late Belgian queen frequently wore a number of pieces of aquamarine jewelry at gala events, including a pair of delicate drop earrings, a pendant, and the aquamarine-studded version of her wedding gift tiara.

8. The Dutch Aquamarine Parure

It’s hard to think of a better word than “fun” for the exuberant suite of aquamarines owned by the Dutch royals, from the sparkling briolettes of the tiara to the gorgeous aquamarine pendant often worn suspended from a brooch.

7. The Countess of Wessex’s Aquamarine Tiara

We looked earlier this year at the numerous aquamarine pieces worn by the Countess of Wessex; my favorite is the diamond and aquamarine tiara lent to her by her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II.

6. The Swedish Aquamarine Kokoshnik

This gorgeous aquamarine kokoshnik, which also has a matching brooch, is often worn by the king’s sisters, Margaretha and Christina; it was also worn by their mother, Princess Sibylla.

5. Crown Princess Mary’s Aquamarine Girandole Earrings

The future Danish queen owns a number of aquamarine pieces, including this lovely pair of girandole earrings, which pair well with both white-tie glitter and more subdued gala dress.

4. The Luxembourg Aquamarine Parure

The grand ducal family of Luxembourg keeps this set of aquamarine jewels, which also includes a fabulous Art Deco-style aquamarine bandeau, in their palace vault.

3. The Queen Mother’s Aquamarine Brooch

Worn today by Queen Elizabeth II, this lovely diamond and aquamarine brooch is probably a set of double clips. The Queen Mother began wearing it in the 1930s.

2. The Brazilian Aquamarine Parure

In terms of sheer aquamarine brightness and power, it’s tough to outclass Queen Elizabeth II’s suite of aquamarine jewelry, given to her at various times during her reign by the people of Brazil.

1. Queen Ena’s Aquamarines

Worn most recently in public by Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, these astonishing aquamarine jewels were originally owned by Queen Ena of Spain, Sibilla’s great-grandmother. The tiara has since been remade, but the briolette aquamarine drops are as sparkling as ever.