Mastery of Design: Queen Elizabeth II’s Aquamarine and Diamond Tiara, 1957

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II happens to have quite a few tiaras at her disposal. She also happens to wear all of them, though not at once. A good many of them were gifts—particularly from her grandmother, Mary of Teck. This particular one wasn’t a gift, per se, but it was crafted from several gifts given to the Queen for her 1953 coronation.

Aquamarine and Diamond Tiara
1957-1971
Adapted by R. & S. Garrard & Co.
The Royal Collection

When originally constructed in 1957, this tiara featured three upright stones which matched the central portion of the tiara. All three were detachable and could be worn as brooches. The stones rose gracefully from a simple platinum and diamond band.

As a Coronation gift from the people of Brazil, Queen Elizabeth II was given a luxurious suite of aquamarine pieces. In 1971, the Queen had several of these aquamarine pieces adapted into additions to this tiara. The two flanking stones were removed in favor of these aquamarine and diamond scrolls and the central stone was replaced with the centerpiece from a particularly beautiful diamond and aquamarine necklace from the Brazilian suite.

The resulting tiara incorporates the original head-band with these adapted pieces, creating an unusual work of dazzling blue and sparkling diamonds. Her majesty frequently wears this tiara with the remaining pieces from the Brazilian suite and other items from her collection of aquamarines.

Unfolding Pictures: A Brazilian Bird Fan, 1880

The Victoria & Albert Museum

We’ve looked at similar Brazilian fans before. They’re both lovely and horrible all at once. Yes, they’re pretty, but, when you think about the fact that there’s a dead bird stuck on them, it’s just kind of yucky, too. Still, they’re very interesting pieces and it’s a miracle any have survived.


This fan is composed of an ivory handle which rises into a base of pink feathers and a central portion of fluffy white marabou down. A stuffed hummingbird perches on sprays of roses and leaves made of pink, white and green feathers. The stems of the flowers are wire wrapped with silk. To tempt the hummingbird, three real beetles are attached to the feathery foliage. Surprisingly, the original box survives.

So…why?

Why a dead hummingbird? For some reason, during the last three decades of the Nineteenth Century, there was a real passion for using parts of dead animals as ornaments, both in fashion and the decorative arts. Though numerous writers wrote contemporary articles about “the barbarities inherent in this trade,” the fashion continued to grow in popularity.

Unfolding Pictures: A Brazilian Bird Fan, 1880

The Victoria & Albert Museum

We’ve looked at similar Brazilian fans before. They’re both lovely and horrible all at once. Yes, they’re pretty, but, when you think about the fact that there’s a dead bird stuck on them, it’s just kind of yucky, too. Still, they’re very interesting pieces and it’s a miracle any have survived.


This fan is composed of an ivory handle which rises into a base of pink feathers and a central portion of fluffy white marabou down. A stuffed hummingbird perches on sprays of roses and leaves made of pink, white and green feathers. The stems of the flowers are wire wrapped with silk. To tempt the hummingbird, three real beetles are attached to the feathery foliage. Surprisingly, the original box survives.

So…why?

Why a dead hummingbird? For some reason, during the last three decades of the Nineteenth Century, there was a real passion for using parts of dead animals as ornaments, both in fashion and the decorative arts. Though numerous writers wrote contemporary articles about “the barbarities inherent in this trade,” the fashion continued to grow in popularity.

Gifts of Grandeur: Queen Elizabeth II’s Aquamarine and Diamond Tiara, 1957

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II happens to have quite a few tiaras at her disposal. She also happens to wear all of them, though not at once. A good many of them were gifts—particularly from her grandmother, Mary of Teck. This particular one wasn’t a gift, per se, but it was crafted from several gifts given to the Queen for her 1953 coronation.

Aquamarine and Diamond Tiara
1957-1971
Adapted by R. & S. Garrard & Co.
The Royal Collection

When originally constructed in 1957, this tiara featured three upright stones which matched the central portion of the tiara. All three were detachable and could be worn as brooches. The stones rose gracefully from a simple platinum and diamond band.

As a Coronation gift from the people of Brazil, Queen Elizabeth II was given a luxurious suite of aquamarine pieces. In 1971, the Queen had several of these aquamarine pieces adapted into additions to this tiara. The two flanking stones were removed in favor of these aquamarine and diamond scrolls and the central stone was replaced with the centerpiece from a particularly beautiful diamond and aquamarine necklace from the Brazilian suite.

The resulting tiara incorporates the original head-band with these adapted pieces, creating an unusual work of dazzling blue and sparkling diamonds. Her majesty frequently wears this tiara with the remaining pieces from the Brazilian suite and other items from her collection of aquamarines.