Swedish Jewels: Suggested Changes

[muriel]

I thought it would be useful to have a thread to discuss any suggestions for alterations and improvements to the Swedish royal jewel collection.

This is obviously in the backdrop of Queen Silvia not appearing to be particularly keen to make many alterations to the historical jewels in the collection.

[muriel]

My very first suggestion would be, as expected, a proposed alteration to the 4 button tiara.


> I was thinking that a revised tiara very much in the mould of Princess Benedikte's star tiara would be lovely. The "buttons" could be interspersed with upright pearls.


Tiara Mania: Star & Pearl Tiara


> This suggested change will also allow the SRF collection to have a diamond and pearl tiara.

> The pearls themselves could be used interchangeably with emeralds, giving the Swedish collection a much needed emerald tiara.

> Perhaps the tiara could have added height by adding a diamond base, not dissimilar to the lozenge shaped removable base on QE2's favourite Girls of Great Britain & Ireland tiara.

Thoughts and suggestions welcome.

[Marengo]

A nice idea. Since the Swedes do not have a diamond pearl tiara, perhaps make one of the other tiaras versatile. It should be easy & not too expensive to replace the rubies in the Edward VII ruby tiara with some small pearls for example.

Nice idea for the button tiara, if it was up to me I would break down both tiaras and let the ladies use them as brooches, but this idea seems less destructive .

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Marengo

A nice idea. Since the Swedes do not have a diamond pearl tiara, perhaps make one of the other tiaras versatile. It should be easy & not too expensive to replace the rubies in the Edward VII ruby tiara with some small pearls for example.

Great idea.

[Hans-Rickard]

Originally Posted by muriel

My very first suggestion would be, as expected, a proposed alteration to the 4 button tiara.


> I was thinking that a revised tiara very much in the mould of Princess Benedikte's star tiara would be lovely. The "buttons" could be interspersed with upright pearls.


Tiara Mania: Star & Pearl Tiara


> The pearls themselves could be used interchangeably with emeralds, giving the Swedish collection a much needed emerald tiara.


> Perhaps the tiara could have added height by adding a diamond base, not dissimilar to the lozenge shaped removable base on QE2's favourite Girls of Great Britain & Ireland tiara.


> This suggested change will also allow the SRF collection to have a diamond and pearl tiara.


Thoughts and suggestions welcome.

Splendid ! I would call the court jeweller and let them do it immediately if i was the King. The 4-button tiara is the tragic child in the swedish tiara collection and we do miss a pearl tiara and an Emerald tiara. Not much more fond of the 6-button tiara but since it's worn frequently by Princess Christina (and it does suit her very well) i don't think they will change it.

I would also love to see the processional necklase as a convertible tiara/necklase.

Originally Posted by Marengo

A nice idea. Since the Swedes do not have a diamond pearl tiara, perhaps make one of the other tiaras versatile. It should be easy & not too expensive to replace the rubies in the Edward VII ruby tiara with some small pearls for example.

Nice idea for the button tiara, if it was up to me I would break down both tiaras and let the ladies use them as brooches, but this idea seems less destructive .

Or small emeralds instead of rubies in the Connaught Ruby tiara. Then they could easily use it together with the Bernadotte emeralds and a pair of Queen Silvias private emerald earrings.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Hans-Rickard

Splendid ! I would call the court jeweller and let them do it immediately if i was the King. The 4-button tiara is the tragic child in the swedish tiara collection and we do miss a pearl tiara and an Emerald tiara. Not much more fond of the 6-button tiara but since it's worn frequently by Princess Christina (and it does suit her very well) i don't think they will change it.

The 6 button is no doubt better than the 4 button, but perhaps we could make some alterations to it as well.

> Maybe one of the buttons can be removed to improve the "balance"

> Also, perhaps some variation in the heights of the buttons could be added (by adding elements at the top or bottom of the buttons), to create a focus point on the central button.

> The button removed can either be made into a pendant for one of the collet necklaces, or perhaps a brooch, with a handing pearl under it?

Originally Posted by Hans-Rickard

I would also love to see the processional necklase as a convertible tiara/necklase.

I can see your point about the processional necklace, it would make a nice tiara.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Hans-Rickard

Or small emeralds instead of rubies in the Connaught Ruby tiara. Then they could easily use it together with the Bernadotte emeralds and a pair of Queen Silvias private emerald earrings.

Or sapphires, to provide a "minor" sapphire tiara, for times when the might Leuchtenberg might be too much.


On second thoughts, how about turquoise? The Swedes do not appear to have any turquoise jewellery.

[Hans-Rickard]

Originally Posted by muriel

Or sapphires, to provide a "minor" sapphire tiara, for times when the might Leuchtenberg might be too much.


On second thoughts, how about turquoise? The Swedes do not appear to have any turquoise jewellery.

Interesting thought. Also the outer row of the processional necklase of celyon sapphires and baroque pearls could be an interesting spike tiara if attatched to a proper diamond base. And the inner row with only ceylon sapphires can be used as a smaller necklase. Could be an interesting sapphire option for the Crown Princess as the tiara and necklase from the Leuchtenberg Parure is reserved for Queen Silvia.

The only turqoise jewels i have seen on any of the swedish ladies is this necklase and earrings on Princess Lilian.

[Tilia C.]

1. Firstly I would change the frame of the Princess Lilian’s laurel tiara. The diamond wreath should be set immediately above, or even before, the velvet covered base. That way the ugly frame would be less visible and the tiara would look much better on Victoria.

2. I would take out one amethyst element from the amethyst tiara, because I think that a smaller diameter would make it look much better. At the moment the velvet covered frame is smaller than the jewel itself, so it sticks out a bit. That often looks quite unflattering, like too large lid potted on a smaller pot.

3. Yes, the buttons tiaras need a re-design. The buttons are probably not fixed permanently, so that Princess Christina could continue to use the old six-button frame (she is the only one who looks good with it, now that Princess Lillian has parted).

I would reduce the six buttons to five buttons, because there should never be a gap in the middle of a tiara. And these five buttons should be placed on a festoon-like base, similar to that of the Dutch pearl button tiara.

And about the four button tiara I wholeheartedly agree with the idea of a pearl tiara á la Benedikte. They could make the pearls interchangeable with emerald drops.

[hernameispekka]

I would start with those button ones!!! Take 5 of the buttons and make a version of the Strathmore Rose Tiara (The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor: Tiara Thursday: The Strathmore Rose) and the 3 ones left I would make a brooch, a neckace pendant and a bracelet.

Also, I would do something with the amethyst tiara. As of now it just looks plopped on the head. I love the stones and it could be soooo good, but it isn't.

Ps. I can't see similar threads like this about other royal houses. Am I blind? If so, I would love more of those, or maybe making this a general thread about jewelry changes?

[Kingen]

A very easy fix would be to buy some nice large pearls for the Leuchtenberg tiara.

The sapphires could be removed but the old pearls that belonged to the tiara are gone! It would be stunning!

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Tilia C.

2. I would take out one amethyst element from the amethyst tiara, because I think that a smaller diameter would make it look much better. At the moment the velvet covered frame is smaller than the jewel itself, so it sticks out a bit. That often looks quite unflattering, like too large lid potted on a smaller pot.

Originally Posted by hernameispekka

I would start with those button ones!!! Take 5 of the buttons and make a version of the Strathmore Rose Tiara (The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor: Tiara Thursday: The Strathmore Rose) and the 3 ones left I would make a brooch, a neckace pendant and a bracelet.

Also, I would do something with the amethyst tiara. As of now it just looks plopped on the head. I love the stones and it could be soooo good, but it isn't.

Re the amethyst tiara

> I think it would be great if each of the amethyst elements were turned around by 90 degrees, so that they are all standing upright, rather than "lying" on their side.

> I think this will give the tiara a bit more height, and improve the proportions.

> I also agree that it does not have to be a full circle. Some amethysts can be removed to improve the overall balance, and used separately

> Should any amethysts be freed up, perhaps a choker in pearls, and another on velvet (like Mary used for last year's New Year Courts) be created.


> I am conscience that these suggested changes require that the tiara be rebuilt. The current tiara is made by merely placing the original necklace on a frame, and can be converted back. Making these changes will mean that the convertability would be lost.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Kingen

A very easy fix would be to buy some nice large pearls for the Leuchtenberg tiara.

The sapphires could be removed but the old pearls that belonged to the tiara are gone! It would be stunning!

I agree that would be a great idea, but I get the sense that Queen Silvia is just not keen to alter the jewels themselves.

[Hans-Rickard]

They should have done that to the family weddings. The Leuchtenberg Sapphire tiara but with pearls instead of sapphires would be a great wedding tiara.

What about pearl drops in the Connaught Diamond Tiara instead of diamonds ? The diamond drops can be a necklase too.


Sadly Silvia is not much for make changes in her jewels.

[hernameispekka]

Originally Posted by Hans-Rickard

They should have done that to the family weddings. The Leuchtenberg Sapphire tiara but with pearls instead of sapphires would be a great wedding tiara.

What about pearl drops in the Connaught Diamond Tiara instead of diamonds ? The diamond drops can be a necklase too.


Sadly Silvia is not much for make changes in her jewels.

Both your suggestions are very good. To get some loose jewels to vary the existing tiaras. Seems clever, not to mention a lot cheaper than buying full tiaras.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Hans-Rickard

They should have done that to the family weddings. The Leuchtenberg Sapphire tiara but with pearls instead of sapphires would be a great wedding tiara.

I still think, pearls or not, the Leuchtenberg should be reserved for the Queen.

[Kingen]

Originally Posted by muriel

I agree that would be a great idea, but I get the sense that Queen Silvia just not keen to alter the jewels themselves.

It is not an consitent change, but just a temporary one. I recall reading that when the tiara was at the court jewellry in 2006 for a greater cleaning the noticed that the fuunction of removimng the sappgires still is possible. The sapphiers are meant to be changed to pearls once in a while.

Picture/drawing of the tirara in the pearl version: The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor: Tiara Thursday: The Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Kingen

It is not an consitent change, but just a temporary one. I recall reading that when the tiara was at the court jewellry in 2006 for a greater cleaning the noticed that the fuunction of removimng the sappgires still is possible. The sapphiers are meant to be changed to pearls once in a while.

Picture/drawing of the tirara in the pearl version: The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor: Tiara Thursday: The Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure

I agree it would be lovely with pearls.

My only reservation is that I don't think Silvia likes to play around too much with the old jewels. The only change that I think she has made over the years is to put the Amethyst necklace on a tiara frame. Even then, the necklace itself was not altered.

[hernameispekka]

Originally Posted by muriel

I agree it would be lovely with pearls.

My only reservation is that I don't think Silvia likes to play around too much with the old jewels. The only change that I think she has made over the years is to put the Amethyst necklace on a tiara frame. Even then, the necklace itself was not altered.

But she does play around with jewels. Like having strands of diamonds in her hair and such. She just doesn't alter them.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by hernameispekka

But she does play around with jewels. Like having strands of diamonds in her hair and such. She just doesn't alter them.

You are right. Perhaps I should clarify, I do not think Silvia likes to alter jewels like, for exampole, Queen Mary did, or more recently, Princess Mary did with her Ruby parure.