Exquisite Emerald Tiaras

Introduction

Tiaras have long been tied to royalty and weddings. These lavish and showy pieces form a big part of the crown jewels in many kingdoms. Brides everywhere wear such headpieces to feel like princesses on their big day. This piece dives into some of the most captivating emerald tiaras out there. The emeralds featured in these tiaras rank among the world's rarest gems. Isn't it fascinating how these jewels carry so much history?

The Princess Katharina Henckel von Donnersmarck Tiara

This remarkable tiara set a record by fetching $12.7 million at Sotheby's in Zurich back in May 2011. At that point, it was hailed as the priciest emerald and diamond tiara at auction in three decades. Commissioned near the start of the 20th century by Count Henckel, the First Prince von Donnersmarck - a hugely successful German entrepreneur - the tiara was crafted for his second wife, Princess Katharina. It boasts 11 pear-shaped Colombian emerald drops that weigh around 500 carats in total, making them some of the largest known, though not as massive as the colossal Bahia Emerald crystal. There's speculation that these emeralds once belonged to Empress Eugénie from the French Imperial Crown Jewels, sold off after the monarchy's collapse. Before that, they might have come from an Indian Maharajah, much like the one in the story of the sacred Emerald Buddha. Sotheby's has handled other family jewels too; the Count once purchased yellow diamonds for his first wife, Pauline Therese Lachmann, which later sold for $7.9 million in 2007. Can you imagine the stories these gems could tell?

Queen Victoria's Emerald and Diamond Tiara

Queen Victoria often comes to mind for her somber look, as she donned mourning jewelry from Prince Albert's passing in 1861 right up to her death in 1901. Fitting for a powerful ruler and Empress of India, she possessed an amazing array of jewelry, including this emerald and diamond tiara designed by her devoted, art-enthusiast husband, Prince Albert. Crafted in 1845 by Joseph Kitching for £1,150, it's a Gothic-style creation sparkling with hundreds of diamonds. The upper part showcases big drop-shaped emerald cabochons on spikes above diamond-shaped and octagonal faceted emeralds. It was reportedly one of her top favorites. Today, it's believed to be with one of Queen Victoria's descendants, last worn on the head of Caroline Worsley, the former wife of the Duke of Fife, in 1960 at the State Opening of Parliament, but has been on display at Kensington Palace since 2018. It's quite a legacy, don't you think?

The Duchess of Angoulême's Emerald Tiara

Created by the jeweler siblings Evrard and Frederic Bapst in 1819 for Marie Therese, Duchess of Angoulême - daughter of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette - this tiara holds over a thousand sparkling white diamonds set in silver, plus 40 emeralds in gold, all in a flowing scroll pattern. The focal point is a sizable cushion-cut emerald ringed by brilliant-cut white diamonds. It drew from 14 emeralds and materials of the French Crown Jewels. In 1830, the Duke became King, making Marie Therese Queen for a mere 20 minutes before Louis XIX's abdication led them to Britain. On leaving, she returned the tiara to the state. It later went to Empress Eugenie, France's final queen. After the monarchy fell, it was auctioned like other crown jewels. Likely bought by a Brit, it resurfaced in the UK, once held by Wartski's in Mayfair. Displayed at London's Victoria and Albert Museum for 20 years starting in 1982, it was sold in 2002 and now resides back in France among the Crown Jewels at the Louvre. What a journey for one piece!

Modern Interpretations of Tiaras

In recent times, tiaras appear to be edging into everyday fashion through sleek metallic headpieces. These aren't the grand, royal styles shown here, but something midway between a basic headband and a full tiara. Today's versions serve as tidy, chic hair accessories more than symbols of status. Still, they can help anyone feel regal, even on an ordinary day.

Frequently Asked Questions