Tiara Tuesday: Emerald Parure Tiara *

The Emerald Parure was created in 1898/1899 by Jeweller Eduard Schürmann & Co. in Frankfurt. It was a gift from Queen Regent Emma to her daughter, Queen Wilhelmina in 1899. The emeralds used in this parure are said to have been brought to Holland by Princess Wilhelmina of Prussia, wife of Prince Willem V of Orange-Nassau, in the 18th century. 

Late-Queen Juliana, Queen Beatrix, Princess Margriet

The tiara has a figure eight and scroll motifs, has round emeralds set in diamonds to the side and is topped with three oval diamond and emerald clusters. The tiara is mounted in silver and gold.

The tiara was originally topped with three oval diamond and emerald clusters. Two oval emerald clusters were removed in the 1950's to make earrings for Queen Juliana. The now somewhat bland tiara has been worn upside down in an oriental style by Queen Juliana and her daughters in the 50's and 60's.

Princess Maxima, Princess Laurentien, Princess Mabel

The necklace has a very intricate design of diamond elements enterspersed with small emeralds. The pendant which can be attached in various ways has a figure eight and floral motif. The versatile brooch has been seen in many variations through the years, most recently on Princess Maxima and Princess Laurentien.There are different brooches, pairs of earrings and bracelets with diamonds and emeralds in the parure. 

The Parure

From 2007 onwards Princess Maxima has been seen wearing a newly acquired (versatile) pair of diamond and emerald earrings.


Pearl Setting (Duchess of Palma)

In recent years the Emerald tiara was altered again. This time the two round emeralds which were originally set on the base of the tiara were remounted on top of the tiara. The tiara has also been changed to an all diamond setting. Since 2003 the tiara of this parure has also been seen in a setting with diamonds and pearls.

My Top 15 Tiaras: #2: The Antique Pearl Tiara

The Antique Pearl or Poiré Pearl Tiara is often described as a remnant of a diamond and pearl coronet or Kokoshnik style tiara that has belonged to Queen Anna Paulowna, born a Grand Duchess of Russia. Queen Anna's pearl tiara was made around 1840 by Russian Court Jeweller Duval for the investiture of  King Willem II.

Queen Anne

It is unknown what exactly happened to this tiara although it's very likely that it passed on to her daughter, Grand Duchess Sophie who inherited most of her jewels and/or that it was broken up to create new jewels (as was often done).

Grand Duchess Sophie (with the pearls for the tiara)

The present day tiara, although perhaps inspired by Queen Anna's tiara, was made around 1900 for Queen Wilhelmina. The diamond base of the tiara consists of a pattern of fine diamond set garlands topped with single set brilliant cut diamonds and fleurs de lils made from marquis and brilliant cut diamonds.

Queen Wilhelmina

Queen Juliana did not wear it often, perhaps because her daughter, Beatrix had been wearing it ever since her 21 birthday. Princess Margriet has also worn the tiara on several occasions

In 2001, Princess Maxima wore the tiara with just the base and no pearls.

Since then, Maxima has worn the tiara with pearls.