The tiara in its 2013 inauguration setting. Credit: Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst There has been a lot of confusion about one of the most important tiaras in the

Queen Victoria’s wedding brooch is perhaps one of the most famous jewels. The large sapphire surrounded by 12 brilliants was given by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria on the eve of their wedding and was worn by the Queen on their wedding day. Erik discovered the Dutch origins of the brooch.

My new article in Jewellery History Today, the magazine of the Society of Jewellery Historians, shows the relationships between Martin Coster – founder of Royal Coster Diamonds –, Oscar Massin and King William III of the Netherlands. This historical research and visual comparison serve as basis for the attribution to Massin of the pendant, bow brooch and necklace of the diamond and sapphire parure of the Dutch Royal House.

On November 10 2015, this Fabergé gold, diamond and demantoid bangle was auctioned at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva for 30.000 CHF. The bracelet was, according to the lot note, presented by Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in 1896 in Nizhny Novgorod. Not much more information is given with the bracelet, but it plays a central role in the tragedy of Nicholas’ reign. It is closely linked to a third, not well known bad omen in his Coronation year, that occurred right before the Emperor and Empress awarded this bracelet.

Last night Queen Margrethe wore her diamond and pearl tiara during the state banquet hosted for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. The tiara is her obvious choice for such an event, since it was the wedding gift of King Frederick William III of Prussia to his daughter Princess Louise when she married Prince Frederik of the Netherlands, younger son of King William I in 1825. Erik Schoonhoven discovered the name of the likely maker of this important tiara, and thus also of the accompanying brooch, visible on the fur neckline of the Queen.

Image courtesy of Dekker Antiquairs Since the end of May Queen Máxima of the Netherlands occasionally wears antique Dutch earrings that were once part of