Tag Archives: Necklace

The Historic Sapphire Jewelry of Empress Marie-Louise | Imperial Sapphire Diamond Jewels

When Marie-Louise of Habsburg (December 12, 1791 – December 17, 1847), daughter of Emperor Franz I of Austria, married Emperor Napoleon I on April 2, 1810, she brought a number of important jewels and ornaments of inestimable value to Paris as part of her rich dowry.
Among these pieces, one of the most important was a sapphire parure of exquisite beauty, composed of 46 light blue, slightly pinkish sapphires of uniform hue and varying size, mounted with hundreds of brilliant-cut diamonds of the finest quality.
This was the actual wedding gift from the Emperor to his daughter, with which he sealed the splendid conclusion of the union between the Austrian and French Empires.
Marie-Louise wore the jewelry on several occasions; the original size is shown in the picture above.
After the collapse of the Napoleonic Empire, the jewels returned to Vienna as the former empress’s private possession.
During her reign as Duchess of Parma (1816-1847), the jewelry was kept there and only returned to the private treasury of the Austrian emperor after her death.
Franz Joseph, the later Habsburg emperor, left the jewels to his brother in 1860. The last owner was the Duchess of Habsburg-Lorraine (??), a great-niece of the old emperor; this Duchess may be pictured wearing the jewelry in the picture above. During the partial occupation of Austria by the Russians in 1945, the jewels were hastily brought to safety; unfortunately, the original cases bearing the imperial coat of arms, which had existed until then, were lost.
The parure is in the finest Directoire style. It was probably designed in its current form in Vienna in 1809/10, and some parts were also recreated at that time.
However, parts of it probably date back to the late 18th century and were reused.
The necklace clearly shows the style of 1770 and the three Florentine lilies (in their shape referring to the House of Habsburg-Tuscany) the taste of the time around 1795.
The relatively simple diadem originally had the three aforementioned lilies between its four drops, which were only recently transformed into individual – and more usable – brooches; Empress Marie-Louise still wore them on the diadem.
Tiara:
The gold-set diamond headband features a double band of diamonds, topped by five rosettes, each with an oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Between these rosettes, there is an openwork S-shaped motif. Above the headband, a six-pronged band of diamonds, four points terminating in large, pear-shaped sapphires. (80,000 Swiss francs)

Necklace
: A simple necklace with ten rectangular-oval sapphires suspended between rosettes of five brilliant-cut diamonds each, featuring a rich floral motif of branches and ribbons. Within these rosettes, and on the other, pendants, nine large, rectangular sapphires and seven small sapphires surrounded by brilliant-cut diamonds. The entire necklace is densely set with brilliant-cut diamonds and rose-cut diamonds. (SFR 250,000)
Bracelet:
Openwork band of 16 lily-shaped motifs set with diamonds, on which eight large, rectangular sapphires are mounted at regular intervals. (SFR 45,000)
Tiara Centerpiece Brooch
This brooch was originally the centerpiece of the tiara. It is shaped like a large Florentine love, densely studded with brilliant-cut diamonds and rose-cut diamonds, with a large rectangular sapphire as the band. (SFR 35,000)
Two brooches – tiara pieces
. Originally the side pieces of the tiara. Shaped like lilies, some set with large diamonds, each with a large rectangular sapphire as a band. (CHF 40,000)
Source: Stucker Auction starting price: €450,000.
The listed estimate primarily takes into account the material of the individual pieces; beyond that, the jewels naturally possessed the value of stylish antiques and, above all, the inestimable value of highly significant historical pieces. December 3, 1964
Sapphire Parure of the Marie-Louise Empress of France
When Marie Louise von Habsburg (12 Dec 1791 – 17 Dec 1847), daughter of Emperor Francis I of Austria married the Emperor Napoleon I on 2 April 1810, she brought in her rich dowry a number of significant and invaluable pieces of jewellery to Paris.
Among these pieces was a sapphire parure of exquisite beauty, assembled from 46 light blue sapphires of the same tint and of graduated size set in hundreds of fine quality diamonds. This parure was the wedding gift from the Emperor to his daughter, whose marriage to Napoleon ushered a brief peace between Austria and France. Marie Louise wore the jewellery on several occasions, as shown in the image above.
After the collapse of the Napoleonic Empire, the jewels, which were the private property of the ex-Empress, returned with her to Vienna. The jewels remained in her possession during her reign as Duchess of Parma (1816-1847) and after her death returned to the private treasury of the Austrian Emperor.
Emperor Franz Joseph later lent the jewels in 1860 his brother. The last owner was the Duchess of Lorraine. A grand-niece of the old emperor, the Duchess is seen in the photo above wearing the jewellery. With the partial occupation of Austria by the Russians in 1945, the jewels were taken hurriedly to safety causing the hitherto existing original cases, bearing the imperial arms, to be lost.

Chocolate of the Month Club Club

Precious Blue and White Bow genuine 22.9 carat Sapphire .925 Sterling Silver handcrafted Necklace

Princess Diana’s Burmese Sapphire Pendant

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Princess Diana, here at a state reception in Australia in 1983, received a suite of sapphire jewels from the Saudi royal family as a wedding gift, which included a very large Burmese sapphire pendant set on a thin diamond necklace and surrounded by baguette diamonds, matching earrings, a ring (not pictured), a double-row diamond bracelet with a sapphire centerpiece, and a watch featuring seven sapphires (also not pictured).

Van Cleef & Arpels Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Necklace

Ceylon sapphire and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1960s and later, set with cabochon sapphires with brilliant-cut diamonds, the front set with a cabochon sapphire of 89.31 cts., detachable clasp signed Van Cleef & Arpels and numbered, extendable with two detachable segments that may also be worn as an additional bracelet, a bracelet and earrings en suite. SSEF: The sapphires of 93.36, 89.31, 15.32 and 16.71 cts. are of Ceylon origin, with no indications of heating.

Serpenti Ocean Treasure Necklace by Bulgari

Serpenti Ocean Treasure Necklace by Bulgari

As the stunning and incredibly bright focal point of the piece, the exceptional 61.30-ct drop-shaped sapphire from Sri-Lanka, jealously guarded by the snake itself, captivates with its vibrant “cornflower” blue heart. A unique natural treasure guarded by the most powerful creature in Bulgari’s Garden of Eden.

Serpenti Ocean Treasure Necklace by Bulgari

Tiffany Jewels by John Loring

Cultured South Sea Pearl and 110.00 ct. t.w. Sapphire Necklace with 1.50 ct. t.w. Diamonds in 18kt White Gold

Cultured South Sea Pearl and 110.00 ct. t.w. Sapphire Necklace with 1.50 ct. t.w. Diamonds in 18kt White Gold

Boasting an awe-inspiring 110.00 ct. t.w. of multi-cut tonal blue sapphires, this matchless showpiece is a once-in-a-lifetime luxury to behold. Dotted with a luminous bevy of 10-15.5mm cultured South Sea pearls ranging in shape from near-round to button. This singular example of fine art is further bedecked by 1.50 ct. t.w. round brilliant-cut diamonds and finely fabricated in polished 18kt white gold. Graduates from 1/4″ to 1 1/2″ wide. Push-button clasp, diamond, sapphire and white pearl necklace.