Unexpected Opulence


 

Jewelry lovers, in particular, fans who follow historical gemstones are mesmerized by tiaras.

Headgear for an Elite Crowd

Tiaras are made for the elite--the aristocracy and royalty. They are required headgear for female adults (traditionally married ladies) for many formal events. By and large, they are an artistic creation featuring diamonds. 

Something Else

Many royal tiaras are actually cleverly made to be convertible pieces, owing to the opulent gemstones in these items. So a jewelry house assigned to create a fine lady's topper will make it so it can convert into a choker, or be disassembled in part to become a cuff style bracelet, or perhaps the center most jewels can be taken apart to become a brooch.

Tiaras are beguiling once you understand their multiple roles, and simply for the expert craftsmanship to pull off making one--with or without its convertible capability.

Stones in a tiara are painstakingly curated to match each other. No simple task.

Different is Always a Good Idea

Sometimes an imaginative regal lady will commission a most unusual tiara. There are some made with cameos, or aquamarine, or even from pearls. Here we have an extraordinary tiara made by the house of Cartier in Paris, circa 1936. It's crafted in platinum--a popular precious metal during the Art Deco era. The other stones are marvelous carved turquoise and diamonds. 

Influenced by Eastern Art

Cartier was said to be influenced by ancient Islamic art for this stunning work of art. The turquoise looks to be Persian which had a coveted fine color, and none of the matrix that lesser quality turquoise possesses. Persian turquoise is harder than that found in other regions and lends itself to carving. Nearly a 100 years after this tiara was created, it still holds us spellbound with its opulence and the unexpected gemstones used to create it.

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