Empress Farah Diba Jewellery

[Mandy]

Farah Diba's coronation crown.

[pdas1201]

This tiara was designed by Harry Winston, the New York jeweller, for the occasion of the marriage of Empress Farah and Reza Shah Pahlevi in 1958. It was considered to be Farah's favorite tiara, since she was often seen wearing it on formal occasions, such as her on visit to the United States and Canada in 1965.

The lower band containing diamonds which is shaped like a heart, is built of platinum. There are two rows of yellow, pink and clear diamonds on top of it. There are seven large emeralds framed by diamonds on very top of the tiara.

The gems used in this tiara are a combination of the old and new. The brilliant-cut diamonds were probably re-cut in the 19th century from loose Indian diamonds which were in the treasury. The emeralds are probably from South America, though they were cut sometime before Nader Shah's campaign in India. The diamonds surrounding the emeralds are probably from South Africa.

The largest emerald, located in the center of the top row, is 65 cts. and the smallest ones on the ends of the row are 10 cts. each. The two largest diamonds are approximately 15 cts. each.

[pdas1201]

The centerpiece of this tiara is the Noor-ol-Ain diamond, which is one of the largest pink diamonds in the world. The diamond may have been brought from India, along with the Sea of Light diamond. The diamond is set in platinum, and is surrounded by pink, clear and yellow diamonds. The Noor-ol-Ain is a brilliant cut, almost tear shaped diamond of approximately 60 cts.; the other diamonds range from 14 to 19 cts. each.

The tiara was designed by Harry Winston for the occasion of the Empress Farah's wedding to the the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, in 1958.

[pdas1201]

A diamond and emerald necklace made by Van Cleef & Arpels for the Coronation. The necklace, mounted in platinum and gold, is composed by an enormous engraved hexagonal emerald, mounted in pendant and surrounded by diamonds of old cut, of four big square emeralds and five smaller ones, (all surrounded by diamonds), four hanging pear pearls and eleven yellow diamonds of very good size.

[pdas1201]

1) A beautiful demi-parure created by Van Cleef & Arpels for HIM The Shahbanou of Iran, which she wore on the evening of Coronation Day. The outstanding necklace consists of seven square yellow diamonds surrounded by old-cut diamonds from which hang seven pear shaped diamonds.

2) The matching earrings

[pdas1201]

Emerald parure

[hofburg]

It's a full parure. It actually has a tiara.

[micas]

Thanks, all the pics are very god.
I just ask my self why she don't wear a tiara when she can?I belive she have the right to wear.

[sol_anglada]

I think jewels wore by Her Imperial Majesty belonged to the Malli Bank, not the Empress, can you confirm that, please?
Sol

[Jackswife]

I never get tired of looking at the Noor-ol-An tiara. One of the most stunning pieces of jewelry ever IMO. As far as what Farah can and cannot wear, IIRC the Imperial state regalia and jewels were the ones in the bank, and that other pieces were considered as personal property. I think in her book she mentioned that when the family left Iran, they took some jewels with them. Having to rely on my memory but I thought that was what had occurred.

[DDD]

People who have never seen these pieces must be shocked to see them for the first time... that´s what I experiened

[galuhcandrakirana]

Originally Posted by DDD

People who have never seen these pieces must be shocked to see them for the first time... that´s what I experiened

yeah indeed, at the first time I saw them in one of Iranian website I found them all as really stunning jewellery. The emerald peacock tiara (post 603) is my favourite one. I've never find another tiara which can replace it as my favourite.

[sol_anglada]

Do you know hot to get the post 603 you mentioned?
Thanks,
Sol

[La la]

I think they are a little ostentatious. Does anyone have any pictures of her in those gaudy crowns/tiaras?

The tiaras she's wearing in the pictures are way prettier I think.

[sol_anglada]

I think Her Majesty the Shahbanou onlu wore tiaras in some special events. In normal acts, even representing the Kingdom of Iran, she wore normal. Thanks for the answer about who is/was the owner of this marvellous jewels.
Sol

[Humera]

Originally Posted by La la

I think they are a little ostentatious. Does anyone have any pictures of her in those gaudy crowns/tiaras?

The tiaras she's wearing in the pictures are way prettier I think.

I think that the Shah might be to blame for some of the jewels' "gaudiness"
He loved to show off his wealth, whether it was through extravagant parties or equally extravagant jewels for his wives and the women in his family.

[persimon]

Originally Posted by Humera

I think that the Shah might be to blame for some of the jewels' "gaudiness"
He loved to show off his wealth, whether it was through extravagant parties or equally extravagant jewels for his wives and the women in his family.

First of all I think what one defines as "guady" depends on one's taste. I don't find any of Farah's clothes or jewels "gaudy", however I think the hats and some of the clothes of today's European royalty are gaudy and silly-looking - particularly the British royals. It's all a matter of taste. I think Farah has always been one of the most well-dressed and elegant royals in of our times. So anyway, it's really a matter of taste. What you may like someone else may dislike. The shah had absolutely nothing to do with the design of jewels. That was something that was entirely out of his range.


Secondly, I think you're very wrong about the Shah. The Shah was not at all much for lavish parties or showing of jewelry and wealth. On the contrary. The imperial family of Iran lived very extremely modestly. And nobody lived more modestly than the Shah and his wife. If you ever have the chance to go to Iran and visit the "palaces" where they lived you will see what I mean. Compare that to the palaces of the royals of Europe. Your view of the shah is in unison with the often false views of him which western media reported - That he was a brutal, repressive and extravagant ruler. He was in fact the opposite: Benevolent, soft, and very simple.

[galuhcandrakirana]

Upppssss... my mistake....sorry.... what I meant is post no.2

[sol_anglada]

Oh, yes, I din't realise myself ... this is splendorous tiara, I think now is in Iran, at Melli Bank
Sol

[La la]

Your love for the late Shah is ever so obvious. I hope to visit Bank Melli where those jewellries are on display and tour around their former palaces that are museums now if I ever make it to Iran.