History of the Royal Dutch Jewels
 
The collection of the Dutch Royal Jewels dates back centuries. Reason why this collection, although not very large, is quite remarkable. Over the centuries many pieces were sold, stolen broken up or inherited by other families. The Orange-Nassau's consider their jewellery collection strictly private. Until this day no one has ever had full access to the entire collection and archives to properly document this rare collection of antique jewellery. No book was ever written with full consent and collaboration of the Royal Family. Furthermore the jewels have never been exhibited together. That's why it's difficult to establish exactly which pieces or stones belonged to whom. If one compares this jewellery collection to other Royal collections it is certainly not the grandest but it has some very interesting and old pieces. The most historical, expensive and impressive pieces were placed in a family foundation (Historical Collections of the House of Orange-Nassau) in the 1960's by Queen Juliana in order to keep the collection from dispersing after her death (she had four daughters). The family foundation is headed by the current monarch and in theory all female members of the Royal Family are entitled to wear the family jewellery. However in practise there seems to be a strict picking order.

There are some impressive pieces, like parures and tiara's, in the collection but most of the collection consists of smaller pieces and an unknown amount of precious stones. Much of the jewellery had not been seen in decades because Queen Beatrix and her sister Margriet seemed to prefer only certain pieces in the collection. Fortunately Queen Beatrix's daughters in law, Princess Maxima and Princess Laurentien appreciate the many different pieces in the collection and have already been allowed to use pieces that had not been seen in years if ever. Moreover two new tiara settings were made by the Court Jeweller and for the wedding of Prince Friso with Ms Mabel Wisse Smit an old empty frame was set with diamonds for the first time, ever.

Some of the most historic pieces in the collection are antique pearls that have belonged to Countess Amalia, wife of Prince Frederik-Hendrik who lived in the 17th century. Then there's the famous Stuart or Holland diamond. This very rare 17th century 39,75 carat pear shaped diamond belonged to Queen Mary II Stuart, wife of King-Stadtholder William III. The large and very historical diamond is now set in the tiara of the House Diamond Parure. Unfortunately is has not been seen in decades.

In the late 18th century, Princess Wilhelmina of Prussia, wife of prince Willem V added some emeralds to the collection. They were later used to create the Emerald Parure in 1898. An other contributor to the present collection was Grand Duchess Anna Paulowna, wife of King Willem II, who had a fabled collection of diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, aquamarines and pearls in her trousseau when she married. Today, only a fraction of the collection can be contributed to Anna Paulowna as many pieces were stolen in the 1830's and most of her remaining jewellery were left to her only daughter Princess Sophie  who married the Grand Duke of Saxen-Weimar Eisenach Only a few smaller pieces (including "some" sapphire jewellery) were left to her son, Prince Hendrik, who in turn left them to his brother King Willem III who himself never received anything directly from his mother. Queen Sophie, the first wife of King Willem III left an impressive collection of diamond and pearl and diamond and ruby jewellery. Her two sons inherited her jewels but her eldest son Willem almost immediately sold his share. His younger brother Alexander was appaled by his brother's actions and tried to sell back some of the pieces. The pieces that are now still in the Royal collection were inherited by Wilhelmina from her half-brother Alexander when he died in 1884. Queen Emma, King Willem III's second wife, did not bring much jewellery with her but she received some nice pieces as wedding presents and her husband gave her some impressive diamond, sapphire and ruby parures. Queen Emma is also notable for having converted older, very historical, pieces  for her daughter, Queen Wilhemina, around 1897.

Queen Wilhelmina contributed diamond and sapphire jewellery: she received huge diamonds from her father as a mere 9 year old as well as presents for her investiture and wedding. As her mother had done, Wilhelmina also commissioned jewellers to convert some of the older pieces to her (changing) taste. Queen Juliana added to the collection her extensive collection of Aquamarine Jewellery, the impressive diamond bracelet of the colonies or at least parts of it, and her diamond bracelet-watch. Perhaps in time, Queen Beatrix will leave her still privately owned pieces to the collection, like her many (south sea) pearls, her diamond and turquoises jewellery as well as some other pieces.

 

Contributors to the Collection:
HSH Princess Amalia HM Queen Mary II HSH Princess Wilhelmina HIM Queen Anna
Pearls The Stuart Diamond Emeralds Diamonds, Pearls, Sapphires,..
HM Queen Sophie HM Queen Emma HM Queen Wilhelmina HM Queen Juliana
Diamond & Pearl & Ruby Jewellery Diamond & Sapphire & Ruby Jewellery Diamond & Sapphire Jewellery Diamond & Aquamarine Jewellery
       

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