Sapphire Parure
The center part of the tiara, a large cushion shaped sapphire set with diamonds, is said to have been a brooch that once belonged to Queen Anna Paulowna Romanov. The brooch was incorporated into an existing design of a tiara by Oscar Masin. Originally the centre piece (brooch) was detachable and the two sides could be joint and worn separately.
Later on, a diamond and sapphire choker or dog collar necklace 2) and two large bracelets 3) were added that matched the design of the tiara.
Queen Emma then added a piece of sapphire jewellery she had received as engagement presents from her husband, King Willem III; A large diamond and sapphire devant de corsage in the shape of a bow 4) containing a huge oval sapphire that once belonged to Queen Anna Paulowna.
Queen Emma left this parure directly to her granddaughter Princess Juliana. The tiara was reset in a lighter platinum frame and the choker necklace was extended, albeit somewhat awkwardly.
Queen Juliana wore this parure frequently, although not as much during the second half of her reign. Queen Beatrix has worn the impressive tiara quite often during State Visits but she's never worn the complete parure. As Princess, Beatrix has worn the necklace with a large sapphire set in diamonds as a pendant 6) but never with the tiara. Queen Beatrix also wore a brooch containing either one or two large sapphires (one round and one oval) set in diamonds attached to diamond wings 7) and a round sapphire set with diamonds as a pendant on a small diamond bow 8).
In 2001 Princess Maxima has worn an oval sapphire set with diamonds as a pendant on a small bow brooch 9) at the government diner on the eve of her wedding to Prince Willem-Alexander.
The bracelets of this parure have not been seen for many years. They are said to be very heavy.
In 2004 a small tiara with only diamonds was seen on Prince Friso's bride and was then described as a second setting of the Mellerio Sapphire Tiara.
Recently the original dog collar necklace from this parure has been mounted on a frame and is now used as a tiara.
