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Lots of the jewels we see worn during royal wedding celebrations date back decades or even centuries, but sometimes we get to enjoy more modern bridal jewels, too. That’s the case with today’s piece, the Infinite Cascade Necklace, which was designed for a Monegasque princess.
Eric Mathon – Palais Princier via Getty Images |
It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a decade since Prince Albert II of Monaco married his longtime girlfriend, Charlene Wittstock, in a pair of ceremonies in Monaco. On July 1, 2011, they were wed in a civil ceremony in the throne room of the Palais Princier.
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Later that evening, the couple was celebrated with a special sound and light show by the French artist and producer Jean-Michel Jarre.
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Princess Charlene wore the same outfit for both the civil ceremony and the concert. For the civil ceremony, she paired it with a pale blue jacket and diamond stud earrings. For the concert, she took off both the jacket and the earrings and added one of her wedding gifts: the Infinite Cascade Necklace.
Tabbah Jewellers |
The necklace was designed by a Lebanese firm, Tabbah Jewellers, with significant input from Charlene herself. In a press release from the time of the wedding, Nagib Tabbah explained, “The design of the necklace is imbued with fluid structure: ripples that at once wrap, as if to protect, the neck, while simultaneously cascading over the collar bone where the large pearls drop, their individual settings ensuring delicate sparkle and warm glow as they catch the light.”
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The necklace, made of eighteen-karat rose gold, is set with 1,237 white diamonds (with a total weight of 56.67 carats) in round and baguette cuts. The necklace also features six large pear-shaped pearls. The jewel was a special creation just for Charlene, part of a set of sparkling wedding presents from Prince Albert.
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Here’s a look at Charlene’s complete ensemble for the concert. The necklace added a modern touch to her flowy, romantic jumpsuit, with its lace detail and pleated design. The outfit was made for her by Karl Lagerfeld.
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So far, the concert is the only time that Princess Charlene has worn the Infinite Cascade Necklace in public. Here’s hoping that her upcoming anniversary will inspire her to bring it out for the Red Cross Ball or National Day Gala soon!