The Court Jeweller: July 2017

Cream and Pearls for the Passchendaele Centenary

Geoff Pugh - Pool/Getty Images

Royals from Belgium and Britain were on hand in Ypres again today to mark the centenary of Passchendaele, the third Battle of Ypres.

The Daily Diadem: Princess Mako's Tiara

TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images

Princess Mako of Akishino wears her diamond tiara and mirrored diamond necklace at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, October 2011

Royal Jewels in Review: July 2017

Julian Simmonds/Getty Images; Julian Stratenschulte/AFP/Getty Images; Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

July 2017 gave us an incredible bumper crop of royal jewelry, so today, I'm doing a recap post to ensure that you didn't miss a single sparkly thing! If you followed along diligently this month, here's a chance to sigh over the jewels all over again. Which jewels were your favorites this July?

Royal Pearls at the Last Post

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This weekend, commemorations began in Ypres to mark the centenary of Passchendaele, the third Battle of Ypres. Royals from both Belgium and Britain were on hand on Sunday to take part in the Last Post ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Daily Diadem: Princess Anne's Festoon Tiara

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

The Princess Royal wears her diamond festoon tiara, plus other diamond jewels, at the Guildhall banquet during the Spanish state visit, July 2017; more info and close-ups of the jewels over here!

Jewels in Motion: Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara

William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

The final post in our month-long celebration of the jewels of Diana, Princess of Wales focuses on one of her most famous pieces: Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara. You can read more about the tiara's background in our post here, and then come back to enjoy today's collection of GIFs featuring Diana wearing the tiara!

(Usual caveats apply: some GIFs may include flash photography, and everyone needs to avoid rehashing old arguments in the comments section. Thanks, everyone!)

The Daily Diadem: The Maltese Circlet

National Library of Norway/Wikimedia Commons

Queen Maud of Norway wears the Maltese Circlet in a portrait, ca. 1928; learn more about this unusual piece over here!

The Bavarian Ruby and Spinel Parure

Photo taken by a friend of the blog. Do not reproduce.

A good friend of mine recently made a trip to Munich, and -- knowing how much I love jewelry -- she sent me a few photographs of some of the grand royal jewelry in the treasury room at the Residenz Museum. I thought it would be fun to feature one of those sets today: the tiara and jewels Bavarian Ruby and Spinel Parure. (It's especially appropriate since we're right at the end of the month, and ruby is July's birthstone and spinel is now one of August's!)

The Daily Diadem: The Hesse Strawberry Leaf Tiara

Royal Collection/Wikimedia Commons

Princess Louis of Hesse (born Princess Alice of the United Kingdom; later Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine) wears the Hesse Strawberry Leaf Tiara in a photograph taken by John Mayal during the wedding celebrations for Alice's brother, the Prince of Wales, May 1863; learn more about the tiara over here!

This Week in Royal Jewels: July 21-27

July 21-27, 2017

The summer season is winding down for the royals, but we've still got some lovely jewels to enjoy. Don't forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below!

Daniel Perez/Getty Images

10. Queen Letizia of Spain inaugurated the annual meeting of the Cervantes Institutes on Monday in Malaga wearing her long golden Tous earrings.

The Daily Diadem: The Spencer Honeysuckle Tiara

William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

The Spencer Honeysuckle Tiara is displayed as a part of the Diana: A Celebration exhibition in Philadelphia, October 2009; the tiara was never worn in public by Diana, but you can read its Spencer family history over here!

Jewel History: Green Stones in Favor (1896)

The earrings and necklace from the Habsburg Peridot Parure (Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)

"Green Stones in Favor"

(originally appeared in the Washington Evening Star, 27 Mar 1896)

Green stones are the fashion just now; of these, of course, first comes the emerald, for green diamonds and green sapphires are too rare and small for modern jewelry. Nothing can equal a really fine emerald -- rich, dark, velvety and glossy -- yet it is said that a flaw or fault almost always lies in the stone, and an emerald without a flaw is priceless.

The Daily Diadem: The Greville Tiara

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cornwall wears the Greville Tiara during a gala dinner at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka, November 2013; learn all about the tiara's history here!

Lover's Knot Tiaras: Cambridge vs Queen Mary

The Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara (left); Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara (right)

It's a familiar moment. The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at a grand white-tie event at Buckingham Palace wearing a tiara made of diamonds with suspended pearls, and social media (and the press!) goes wild: "Kate's wearing the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara!"

Except -- she's not! The tiara worn by Kate -- the same tiara also worn by Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II, and Queen Mary -- is Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara. The Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara is an entirely different tiara, owned by a noble family in Germany. Today, we're going to break down the reasons why many persistently call the tiara worn by Kate and Diana by the wrong name, including comparison photos to show the difference between the tiaras.

The Daily Diadem: The Spanish Floral Tiara

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Queen Letizia of Spain (then Princess of Asturias) wears the Spanish Floral Tiara at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, June 2010; learn about the tiara's long Spanish history over here!

Royal Rubies from Van Cleef & Arpels

Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

July babies were blessed with a particularly vibrant birthstone: the bright red ruby. Today, we're looking at a selection of royal ruby pieces created by one of the world's most famous jewelry firms, Van Cleef and Arpels.

The Daily Diadem: The George IV Diamond Diadem

Oli Scarff/Getty Images

The George IV Diamond Diadem is displayed at Buckingham Palace as a part of an exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, July 2013; learn the history of this diadem, which was made for a king, over here!

On the Block: Vivien Leigh's Astonishing Jewels

Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Sotheby's

If you love both jewelry and old Hollywood, I've got a treat for you today! Sotheby's in London is currently holding an exhibition of several jewelry pieces that belonged to the late Vivien Leigh, ahead of an auction scheduled for September.

The Daily Diadem: The Stuart Tiara

Wikimedia Commons

Queen Juliana of the Netherlands wears the tiara, necklace, and brooch from the Stuart Parure in an official portrait, 1962; read about the tiara's incredible history over here!

Jewels in Motion: The Spencer Tiara

TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images

While Lady Di was given the use of the Lover's Knot Tiara during her time as Princess of Wales, she often borrowed the most elegant of her own family's sparklers from her father for gala events. Today, let's have a look at the Spencer Tiara -- in motion!

(PS: the usual warnings apply -- some GIFs may include flash photography, and comments should not rehash old arguments. Focus on the glittering tiara, everybody!)

The Daily Diadem: Princess Grace's VCA Ruby Tiara

AFP/Getty Images

Princess Grace of Monaco wears a suite of ruby and gold jewelry, including a tiara, loaned to her by Van Cleef and Arpels for a gala supporting the renovation of the Palace of Versailles, November 1973

Queen Elisabeth's Cartier Bandeau

Queen Elisabeth wears her Cartier Bandeau in a portrait (Grand Ladies Site)

In some royal families, jewels can be both beautiful and contentious. Today’s tiara is a magnificent royal tiara with a rather complicated and even difficult story: the Cartier tiara owned by Queen Elisabeth of Belgium.

Jewels of Belgium's National Day

NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP/Getty Images

Today is National Day in Belgium, and the royal family attended a Te Deum mass in Brussels to mark the occasion. Here's a look at what everyone wore, including Queen Mathilde's jewelry!

Cambridge Tour of Germany: Engagements in Hamburg

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For the last day of their European tour, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge headed to Hamburg with their children for a series of engagements.

The Daily Diadem: The Oriental Circlet

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Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom (later Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother) wears the Oriental Circlet on a stamp released to commemorate her silver wedding anniversary, 1948; read all about this tiara's lengthy royal history over here!

This Week in Royal Jewels: July 14-20

July 14-20, 2017

A royal tour, a milestone birthday, and a brand-new brooch dominated this week's jewel roundup. Don't forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below!

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

10. During Friday's public birthday celebrations for her sister, Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Madeleine of Sweden wore a pair of eye-catching statement earrings.

Cambridge Tour of Germany: Ballhaus Reception Jewels

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were back in Berlin on Thursday evening for a reception at Claerchen's Ballhaus dance hall.

Cambridge Tour of Germany: Pearls in Heidelberg

DANIEL ROLAND/AFP/Getty Images

For the second day of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit to Germany, the royal party headed to Heidelberg.

The Daily Diadem: The Persian Turquoise Tiara

Image licensed to The Court Jeweller. DO NOT REPRODUCE.

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon wears the Persian Turquoise Tiara at a dinner for President Jonas of Austria at the embassy in London, May 1966; read about the tiara's history over here!

Jewel History: Queen Fever Hits Germany (1965)

Embed from Getty Images

"Queen Fever Hits Germany"

(originally appeared in the Brandon Sun, 11 May 1965)

BONN -- A wave of "Queen fever" is sweeping West Germany amid frantic preparations for Queen Elizabeth's state visit in two weeks' time. West Germans are rehearsing salutes, repairing roads, painting buildings, turning out Union Jacks and brushing up etiquette with an enthusiasm to match their national thoroughness.

When the Queen [1] arrives with Prince Philip [2] for her 10-day visit, she may receive the most tremendous welcome this young state has ever given a foreign visitor. The accompanying press corps -- about 300 strong -- is half as large again as that which covered the historic visits of presidents Kennedy and de Gaulle.

A New Canadian Brooch for the Queen!

Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool /Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II, Canada's monarch and head of state, made a visit on Wednesday to Canada House in London, part of the ongoing celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Canada's confederation.

Cambridge Tour of Germany: Birthday Garden Party Reception

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images

For tonight's reception at the British Ambassadorial Residence in Berlin -- another birthday party in honor of the Queen -- the Duchess of Cambridge wore bright red -- and even more new jewelry!

Cambridge Tour of Germany: Arrival in Berlin

BERND VON JUTRCZENKA/AFP/Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge moved on to the German leg of their European tour today, with a day of engagements in Berlin.

The Daily Diadem: The Meiji Tiara

AFP/Getty Images

Empress Michiko of Japan wears the Meiji Tiara in an official portrait released at the time of her husband's enthronement, November 1990; learn all about the tiara's history over here!

Princess Grace's Festoon Necklace

Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

Although she was one of the most glamorous princesses of her generation, Princess Grace of Monaco's jewel collection was actually rather sparse. But some of the pieces she did have made a big impact, including this diamond festoon necklace.

Cambridge Tour of Poland: Engagements in Gdansk

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge continued their tour of Poland on Tuesday with a series of daytime engagements in Gdansk.

The Daily Diadem: Queen Maud's Diamond Tiara

Grand Ladies Site

Queen Maud of Norway wears her diamond tiara in a lithograph portrait, ca. 1906; learn more about the past and present of this tiara over here!

Redesign It: The Delhi Durbar Tiara

Bethany Clarke/Getty Images

I've got an interesting jewel challenge for you today, magpies. One of the tiaras that I left off of yesterday's top ten list (which you can read here) was the Delhi Durbar Tiara, which the Duchess of Cornwall has only worn once in public since the Queen loaned it to her in 2005.

Cambridge Tour of Poland: Garden Party at the Orangery

Julian Simmonds-Pool/Getty Images

For tonight's garden party reception at the Orangery in Warsaw, which celebrated the Queen's birthday, the Duchess of Cambridge reached into her jewelry box for pieces we've seen on tour before.

Cambridge Tour of Poland: Arrival in Warsaw

Arthur Edwards / Pool/ Getty Images

This week's tour of Poland and Germany by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kicked off on Monday morning with an arrival ceremony in Warsaw and several daytime engagements.

The Daily Diadem: The Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara

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Queen Fabiola of Belgium wears the Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara at a ballet gala in Brussels with her husband, King Baudouin, 11 May 1966; read more about the tiara over here!

The Top Ten: Camilla's Gala Jewels

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Happy 70th Birthday to the Duchess of Cornwall! To mark the occasion, I've ranked ten of my favorite gala jewels, both individual pieces and sets, from Camilla's jewelry box. Let us know your top ten list in the comments below!

The Daily Diadem: The Boucheron Laurel Wreath Tiara

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden wears the Boucheron Laurel Wreath Tiara at the wedding of her sister, Princess Madeleine, 8 June 2013; read all about the tiara over here!

Jewels in Motion: Diana's Dancing Jewels

Diana dances at a gala in Chicago, June 1996 (JOHN BARTLEY/AFP/Getty Images)

Our celebration of the bejeweled life of Diana, Princess of Wales continues today with a look at jewels worn during one of her favorite activities: dancing. Enjoy these moving images, with the two usual caveats -- some of the GIFs may include flash photography, and no rehashing old arguments about the late princess's life in the comments!

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