We’re taking a detour down to the Mediterranean this go around, discussing the Greek Emerald Tiara.
The Facts
This one goes back to Queen Olga of Greece, who brought these magnificent (and enormous) cabochon emeralds with her on her marriage to King George I in 1867. Notably, the tiara didn’t start out as a tiara; Olga wore the emeralds as separate pieces, pining them on a dress, wearing them as pendants, wearing them pinned on a kokoshnik, and so on.
Her granddaughter in law, Queen Elisabeth (born a Princess of Romania – daughter of Queen Marie), started out wearing them simply too, usually on a diamond bandeau. Eventually this kokoshnik style tiara was made, by Cartier, starring Olga’s emeralds.
The Case For the Tiara
OC: Originally, I was not a fan of this tiara because cabachons and I simply don’t get along. However, you cannot beat the color of those stones. It’s a Big Gun with color, and there aren’t many successful examples of those. I do not care for it when worn as a necklace.
The Handbag: I like it – I think it has serious presence. I am not a huge emerald fan, but these massive specimens are meant for a tiara and there they are.
The Case Against the Tiara
LiL: I’m not a fan of most emeralds to begin with and the ones from Cabochon are even worse. If I have to wear emeralds I’m going to need them faceted and sparkling in the candlelight, thank you very much. It’s also very “clunky”. No thanks.
LG: Like LIL, I’m not a fan of emeralds, so this one started off at a disadvantage. Also not every stone is suited for the cabochon shape/cut: star sapphire, ok; turquoise, maybe; rubies, sapphires and emeralds…no. Also, the design looks “heavy,” and the “E” element just puts me off.
What do you guys think?