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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Jewel History: Portrait Jewels of Marie Antoinette

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Portrait of Marie Antoinette, ca. 1767-68 [attr. Martin van Meytens] (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
On this date in 1774, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette became king and queen of France. The queen was noted for her grand, bejeweled appearance, and even though she lived in an era before tiaras were prominent, she still managed to find plenty of ways to adorn herself with jewels. Today, enjoy details from some of her portraits that show her wearing elaborate jewels.

Image: Wikimedia Commons
Portrait of Marie Antoinette, ca. 1775 (attr. Jean-Baptiste Gautier Dagoty)
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Portrait of Marie Antoinette, ca. 1775 (attr. Jean-Baptiste Gautier Dagoty)
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Archduchess Maria Antoina of Austria, ca. 1769 (Joseph Ducreux)
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Marie Antoinette as Dauphine of France, ca. 1773 (François-Hubert Drouais)
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Queen Marie Antoinette of France (attr. Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun)
Image: Wikimedia Commons
La Reine Marie Antoinette, ca. 1790 (Alexander Kucharski)

The Ruby Olive Wreath Tiara

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Queen Anne-Marie attends the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden on June 19, 2010 (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Queen Anne-Marie attends the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden on June 19, 2010 (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Through all of their trials and tribulations (and assassinations and exiles, etc., etc.), the Greeks really have done a remarkable job of keeping their hands on (or, rather, getting their hands back on) their tiaras. Today’s tiara, the Ruby Olive Wreath Tiara, is an example of an heirloom piece that has been reunited with the former royal family and remains with them today.

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Kate’s Jewelry Box: The Collins Tanzanite Suite

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Kate attends a service of commemoration for British troops who served in Afghanistan (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge’s jewelry box is full of eye-catching suites, but one of the most glittering and vibrant sets is her diamond and tanzanite necklace and coordinating earrings.

Photo: Geoff Pugh – WPA Pool / Getty Images

Kate debuted the set, which is made of platinum, at a service of commemoration at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2015. The event honored British troops who served in Afghanistan.

Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Above, you can see a detailed close-up of both the necklace and earrings. The earrings can be worn either as studs, as Kate does, or as pear-shaped dangles. Each electric-blue, pear-shaped tanzanite weighs more than six carats.

Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

The necklace and earrings were made by G. Collins and Sons, a British firm based in Tunbridge Wells. The company’s owner, Harry Collins, is the current crown jeweller.

Photo: Chris Radburn – WPA Pool/Getty Images

In April, Kate wore the set in public for a second time when she, William, and Harry welcomed President and Mrs. Obama to Kensington Palace for dinner.