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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

The Daily Diadem: Empress Marie Louise’s Diadem

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Wikimedia Commons
The elaborate diadem of Empress Marie Louise of France (second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte) on display at the Smithsonian Institute, August 2010. The tiara was originally set with emeralds, but after the piece was sold to Van Cleef and Arpels by a descendant of Marie Louise, the emeralds were replaced with Persian turquoises. Marjorie Merriweather Post bought the tiara for the Smithsonian in the 1970s

Bejeweled Close-Ups: The Napoleonic Cut Steel Tiara

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SOREN ANDERSSON/AFP/Getty Images
Of all the fascinating tiaras in the Bernadotte jewel collection, few are as interesting as the larger Napoleonic Cut Steel Tiara. Made of cut and polished steel and yellow gold, the tiara manages some major sparkle without a single diamond or gemstone. And up close, you can really see the incredible craftsmanship of the piece. Enjoy this set of close-up images — and then read the history of the piece over here!

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A view of the front of the tiara: base, central plume, and trailing oak leaves
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A side view of the tiara emphasizes the piece’s sparkle, especially in candlelight
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A closer view of the central plume of feathers — a sort of built-in aigrette — and the faceted and polished steel beads at the center of the base
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A side view of the tiara, with oak leaves, acorns, and six-petaled flowers in the scrolling golden base
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A closer view here shows the flowers and scrolls, plus the incredible intricacy of the tiny acorns
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A view of the back of the tiara emphasizes the golden “stems” of the oak leaves

Gray Pearls for Mary in Paris

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ERIC PIERMONT/AFP/Getty Images

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was in Paris on Tuesday to address the opening of the OECD Forum at their headquarters, and she brought along a suite of jewelry pieces from Marianne Dulong for the engagement.

ERIC PIERMONT/AFP/Getty Images

She wore the company’s diamond and gray pearl earrings, a pair she has donned frequently over the years. She also has these earrings with other colored pearls, including a pair with a champagne hue. You can also see a simple golden necklace peeking out from the neckline of her dress.

ERIC PIERMONT/AFP/Getty Images

On her right wrist, she stacked a gold and diamond bracelet with her Dulong gold and gray pearl bracelet. She also wore a gray pearl ring from Dulong on her right hand.

ERIC PIERMONT/AFP/Getty Images

Here’s a slightly better view of the gray pearl in Mary’s ring. What do you think — do you like it when royals where matched sets of jewelry for daytime events?