This past Sunday, Downton Abbey’s sumptuous Season 4 Finale was a dazzling display of the much-celebrated “London Season” of decades past. Centering on Rose’s debutante presentation to King George V, the Crawley’s find themselves in London at Grantham House with all the pomp and circumstance that go with the “social event of the season.”
Lady Mary sporting an exquisite diamond headband in the Season 4 Finale
Throughout the episode, I couldn’t help but notice the superfluous sparkle at each evening soirée. All of Britain’s fictional landed gentry decided to display the vestiges of their wealth by wearing their finest diamond jewels throughout this final episode, most notably their tiaras and head ornaments. No diamonds were spared during the lavish and visually opulent grand finale, which left me thinking about the dear old tiara.
Cora wearing a spectacular diamond tiara and Art Deco sautoir during the season finale
Once the exclusive and glittering symbol of the establishment, the tiara as well as jeweled hair pieces seem to be making a come back since their heyday of a bygone era. From Daisy’s Tiffany & Co. ‘Savoy Headpiece‘ to today’s celebrities donning jeweled headbands on the Red Carpet, the jeweled hair ornament is back in a big way.
Tiffany & Co. Savory Headpiece worn by the character Daisy in last year’s film ‘The Great Gatsby’
Photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
For many, the most appropriate occasion on which to sport a tiara or diamond dazzled headband is the wedding day. Today’s modern bride, inspired by Kate Middleton, Victoria Beckham and Downton Abbey’s Mary Crawley – who all wore tiaras when they said their ‘I do’s’ – seeks to transform their wedding day into a real-life fairytale. And, what better way to complete the princess look than topping it off with a tiara?
Kate Middleton wearing the Cartier ‘Halo’ tiara on loan from the Queen, who was given it by the Queen Mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday.
Whether of a new design from Chanel and Chaumet or a vintage piece rich with history, the tiara has become the favored jeweled adornment to wear on life’s most special occasions. If you’re looking for a terrific tiara, I’ve put together a great selection from which to choose from or find inspiration, all thanks to Downton Abbey.
Freda Dudley Ward, the mistress of the Prince of Wales, wearing gorgeous Art Deco jewels and a glorious tiara.
Graff Multishape Diamond Scroll tiara
Photo courtesy of Graff
Plume de Chanel Headpiece
Photo courtesy of Chanel
Too many tiaras to count in Downton Abbey’s Season 4 Finale!
Chaumet tiara in platinum and diamonds with a central white opal from the 12 Place Vendôme collection, series No 2.
Photo courtesy of Chaumet
Fred Leighton Diamond Tiara
Beautiful 18k white gold and diamond tiara. Delicate pierced -work flowers and leaves set with shimmering diamonds. Made and signed by Fred Leighton. Perfect for a bride or a debutante.
Available at Alice Kwartler via 1stdibs
Hand-painted tiara by Garrard’s bespoke designer Corinna Pike Garrard
Joséphine Tiara
Joséphine tiara in platinum, paved with brilliant- and baguette-cut diamonds, set with a brilliant-cut diamond
Photo courtesy of Chaumet
Victorian Diamond Tiara
Circa: 1890 Silver top Gold Back Diamond set Tiara, approximately 5 to 6 carats old Mine cut and Rose cut Diamonds. Fitted Tiara Box from West & Son, Dublin.
Available at N. Green & Sons via 1stdibs
Tiffany’s tiara of white diamonds incorporates a detachable bracelet of Tiffany yellow diamonds and white diamonds in platinum and gold, from the 2013 Blue Book Collection.
Photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
‘Océan’ tiara by Van Cleef & Arpels
Photo courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels
The Downton Abbey Georgian Diamond Floral Tiara worn by Mary on her wedding day to Matthew Crawley
Available at Bentley & Skinner
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Tiara
Photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
Lorenz Baumer Tiara consisting of 60 carat diamons, in pear shapes, baguettes and round brilliant, a modern and elegant version of Tiara
Chaumet Joséphine headband.
David Morris one-of-a-kind Butterfly Tiara in 18k white gold with just under 35 carats of pear- and round-shaped brilliant and rose-cut diamonds.
Photo courtesy of David Morris