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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Scandi Sparkler Spectacular: Danish Emerald vs Nuits Claires

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Will it be the family heirloom or the modern tiara?

Albert Nieboer/DPA Picture Alliance Archive/Alamy, LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images
The Danish Emerald Parure Tiara vs. The Nuits Claires Tiara
Albert Nieboer/DPA Picture Alliance Archive/Alamy
One of the grandest tiaras in the Danish crown jewel collection, this diamond and emerald sparkler was made in 1840 by C.M. Weisshaupt. The emeralds are even older: they belonged to Queen Sophie Magdalene and Princess Charlotte. The emeralds are reserved for the use of Denmark’s queen, so Queen Margrethe II is their current wearer. When they’re not in use, though, you can visit them on display at Rosenborg Castle.
LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images
Princess Marie of Denmark collaborated with a French jewelry firm, Maison Mauboussin, in the design of this new tiara. The piece features diamonds and sapphires set in a floral design. The bright evening sparkle of the piece is reflected in its name. Fittingly, Marie wore the tiara for the first time in August 2018 during the French state visit to Denmark.
We’ve got a royal necklace coming your way, and then two more tiara contests on Thursday!

Scandi Sparkler Spectacular: Danish Rubies vs Golden Poppies

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Will it be the rubies or the poppies???

Chris Jackson/Getty Images, INTERFOTO/Alamy
The Danish Ruby Parure Tiara vs. The Golden Poppies
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
This tiara began its life as a series of hair combs, purchased by Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte for his wife, Desiree, to wear at Napoleon’s coronation in 1804. When Bernadotte was elected King of Sweden, the rubies became royal jewels. The combs were made into a bandeau by Queen Alexandrine of Denmark, who had received them from her mother-in-law, Lovisa of Sweden. Queen Ingrid turned the bandeau into a grand wreath tiara, which is now worn by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.
INTERFOTO/Alamy
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark herself commissioned this unusual headpiece, which was made in 1976 by Arje Griegst. The poppies are made of gold and attached to a comb that sinks into the wearer’s hair, allowing the flowers to scatter across Margrethe’s locks. The flowers are also studded with gems — including aquamarines, moonstones, and opals — and insects. So far, Margrethe has been the only wearer of the piece, which is part of a parure that also includes earrings and a necklace.
More Danish tiaras coming your way this afternoon!

The Scandinavian Sparkler Spectacular!

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KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP via Getty Images
I’m absolutely delighted to introduce you to…

The Scandinavian Sparkler Spectacular!
Sixty-four tiaras from Scandinavian royal collections will be showcased in this new competition! We’ve got tiaras from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway — many of which share significant historical connections — as well as sparklers from other branches of the family and those now in museums or private collections. It’s going to be a grand way to spend the summer!
Chris Jackson/Getty Images, JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images, MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images, Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Just like the previous tournaments, I’ve put together a bracket with rankings and match-ups for us to vote on over the next few weeks. Our top seeds are showcased above: we’ve got (clockwise from the top left) the Danish Ruby Parure Tiara (from the Denmark region), the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure Tiara (from the Sweden region), Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara (from the Norway region), and the Khedive of Egypt Tiara (from our Wild Card region — tiaras from minor branches of the family). We’ll be kicking off the contests with tiaras from the Danish royal vaults this week!
click to enlarge!
Here’s our bracket for the Scandinavian Sparkler Spectacular! (You can click to enlarge the graphic above, or you can download a PDF version at this link.) Which tiaras are you excited to vote for in this brand-new tournament? And which one do you think will win???