The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Scandi Sparkler Spectacular: Leuchtenberg Sapphire vs Aquamarine Bandeau

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Our first Swedish tiara match-up features brilliant blue gemstones!

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The Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure Tiara vs. The Swedish Aquamarine Bandeau
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images
One of several important suites of heirloom jewelry in the Bernadotte collection, the Leuchtenberg sapphires began their journey in Germany. They were a gift from Empress Josephine of France to her daughter-in-law, Princess Augusta, Duchess of Leuchtenberg. Augusta passed them to her daughter, Queen Josefina of Sweden and Norway, and they’ve been in the Swedish vaults ever since. In 1930, Queen Victoria of Sweden bequeathed them to the family jewel foundation, which means they cannot be sold. Today, they’re typically worn by the most senior woman in the royal family: presently, that’s Queen Silvia. The flexible diadem has been one of her favorite jewels throughout her decades as Sweden’s queen consort.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
This sleek diamond and aquamarine bandeau has been with the Swedish royals for at least two generations, and some believe it may date back even further, to the collection of Queen Louise of Sweden. The jewel was Princess Madeleine’s very first tiara. She wore it often in her early tiara-wearing days, and she brings it out very occasionally now.
More tiara voting coming your way this afternoon!

Scandi Sparkler Spectacular: Week Two Results!

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We’ve got all the results from our Norwegian tiara bracket!

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In our first Norwegian contest of the tournament, Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara handily brought home victory, garnering 89.35% of the vote to Princess Astrid’s Ruby Aigrette’s 10.65%.
Chris Jackson/WireImage, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
We’ve got our first upset of the entire tournament this week! This was a close match-up ranking wise, but the Norwegian Amethyst Parure Tiara won with 52.9% of the vote, while the Diamond Daisy Bandeau brought in a very respectable 47.1%.
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Two heirlooms faced off in this match. While Crown Princess Martha’s Diamond Bandeau was favored by 24.36% of you, Queen Maud’s Diamond Tiara claimed victory with 75.64% of the vote.
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No surprises in this contest! While Queen Sofia’s Gold Bandeau was chosen by 12.52% of voters, Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara was the winner with 87.48% of the vote.
ERLEND AAS/AFP via Getty Images, Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images
This contest was a little bit closer! While 36.68% of voters selected Queen Alexandra’s Maltese Cross Circlet, Crown Princess Martha’s Vasa Tiara was the winner with 63.32% of the vote.
HAAKON MOSVOLD LARSEN/AFP via Getty Images, Sean Gallup/Getty Images
An heirloom faced off against a new sparkler in this match-up. Queen Alexandra’s Turquoise Tiara took home the win with 85.63% of the vote, while 14.37% of you chose the Modern Gold Parure Tiara.
AUDUN BRAASTAD/AFP via Getty Images, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Two petite sparklers were matched up in this contest! While the Vifte Tiara brought in 40.82% of your votes, King Olav’s Gift Tiara upset the competition, winning with 59.18% of the vote.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images, Hakon Mosvold Larsen/AFP via Getty Images
Our final match of the week paired up an emerald giant with a delicate competitor. No surprise here: the Norweigan Emerald Parure Tiara was victorious with 92.84% of the vote, while Princess Astrid’s Diamond Aigrette was chosen by 7.16% of voters.
We’re heading into the world of Swedish royal tiaras tomorrow morning!

Scandi Sparkler Spectacular: Norwegian Emerald vs Diamond Aigrette

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Antique emeralds face off against diamond wings in our final contest of the week!

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The Norwegian Emerald Parure Tiara vs. Princess Astrid’s Diamond Aigrette
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The most historic set of jewelry in the Norwegian vaults, this diamond and emerald parure has its roots in the earliest part of the nineteenth century. They were handed down from Princess Augusta, Duchess of Leuchtenberg, to her daughter, Empress Amelie of Brazil. She in turn bequeathed the set to her sister, Queen Josefina of Sweden and Norway, who left them to her daughter-in-law, Queen Sofia of Sweden. In 1931, Sofia passed the emeralds down to her own daughter-in-law, Princess Ingeborg of Sweden. She gave them to her daughter, Crown Princess Martha of Norway, to use as an insurance policy during her World War II exile. Happily, the family survived the war, and the emeralds remain with the main branch today, worn exuberantly by Queen Sonja.
Hakon Mosvold Larsen/AFP via Getty Images
The second of Princess Astrid’s aigrette ornaments is this delicate pair of diamond-set feathered wings. Like her ruby aigrette, this jewel was originally designed to be worn with a feather plume. You’ll often see Astrid wearing this particular aigrette for state occasions in Oslo today.
We’ll have plenty of sparkling surprises coming up, plus poll results, this weekend!