Now that we’ve got a few Defense of the Dresses under our belt, it’s time to broaden the series…to tiaras. I know of one certain tiara that a few here love or hate passionately, but we’ll save that one for later. Let’s start with something a bit more off the beaten track.
I present to you the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Turquoise Tiara, here modeled by the lovely Hereditary Princess Kelly.
The Facts
This one goes all the way back to Duke Charles Edward and his wife Duchess Victoria Adelheid. It’s presumed to be one of her wedding gifts, but there’s never been any concrete provenance found. The Saxe-Coburg-Gotha dukedom fell at the end of World War I, but the family managed to hang on to this tiara. Princess Kelly has worn this to the weddings of Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine (her hubby’s second cousins).
The Case For the Tiara
LuckeyGirl: Yes, it looks plastic – let’s just get that out of the way right off the bat. Turquoise is a notoriously tricky gem to work into any kind of jewelry that isn’t from the American Southwest (even then it’s about 50-50); but for some reason, these stones really seem to work with this design. They are light enough to not fight too much with the diamonds.
The Handbag: Well, it’s tricky, right? I have the typical North American entrenched idea that “turquoise is for Southwestern jewelry” and is inherently casual. Tiaras aren’t casual. All that aside, it is a pretty design, the stones glow against the diamonds, and it’s definitely one to remember. Also, this wearer is perfect for it. I fall on the “For” side, but lightly and with reservation.
The Case Against the Tiara
LiL: Nope. I just can’t. There are very, very few (read two) turquoise anythings out there that I feel are “royal” enough for royals. This isn’t one of them. It’s too plastic looking. Too “toy section at the local dollar store” looking. Not good.
The Case of the Indecisive
OC: Our readers who are familiar with me know that I can generally make a snap decision on anything. But this tiara is tough for me. It’s a beautiful classic design which flatters the wearer. Not too big, not too small. But the turquoise is artificial looking. Looks like a plastic piece you can buy at the mall. But Kelly looks fab. Ugh. I can’t decide on this one.