Today at Hidden Gems, we remember the legacy of the jewelry historian Diana Scarisbrick, who passed away in December at the age of 96. In today’s Bonus Reading post, I’ve gathered together numerous stories about one of Scarisbrick’s favorite subjects: aristocratic tiaras.
Sparkling Stories from Diana Scarisbrick’s Ancestral Jewels
[Hidden Gems Exclusive]
The great jewelry historian Diana Scarisbrick passed away in December, leaving behind a towering legacy that will continue to shape the field for generations to come.
Consuelo Vanderbilt’s Boucheron Tiara
Some of the Vanderbilt fortune was splashed out on the purchase of a glittering new tiara for the young Duchess of Marlborough in 1895. The tiara was acquired from Boucheron for Consuelo by her father as a wedding present.
The Duchess of Manchester’s Cartier Tiara
Our story today begins with one of the very first “buccaneer” brides to take the British aristocracy by storm: Consuelo Yznaga. Consuelo’s parents were part of wealthy families from Cuba and Louisiana, and Consuelo was raised in Concordia Parish. Even so, her parents were focused on maintaining their place in high society, purchasing homes in New York and Newport and traveling to Paris.
This tiara belonged to yet another wealthy American heiress who married into the British upper class. Mary Victoria Leiter was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1870. Her father was one of the founders of the business that became the famous Marshall Field department store.
The Duchess of Wellington’s Incredible Diamond Tiara
As the wife of a peer, Antonia wore gala dress and jewels for the State Opening, as well as the ribbon and badge of the Order of the British Empire. She was appointed to the order in 2008 for her work toward creating more affordable housing opportunities in England.
The Duchess of Westminster’s Dazzling Fabergé Wedding Tiara
One of the most sparkling aristocratic weddings of the season was held in Britain in the spring of 2024, with the bride wearing a fabulous antique tiara made by none other than Fabergé.
The Duchess of Atholl’s Peridot Tiara Sold in New York
In June, Doyle Auctions in New York offered for sale a fascinating convertible necklace/tiara set with diamonds and peridots. The jewel, made around 1890, was described as a belle époque piece, set with five cut-cornered rectangular-cut peridots (about 115.25 total carats), one oval and four cut-cornered rectangular peridots (about 10.45 total carats), old-mine cut diamonds (about 10.85 total carats), and small old-mine and rose-cut diamonds.
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