Much of today's fascination with the royal family—which leads to magazine spreads of Duchess Kate's wedding and viral videos of Queen Elizabeth II's band of corgis—goes beyond a superficial interest in the daily lives of these high-profile nobles. Fashionistas and budding designers alike are captivated by the rich elegance of their royal adornments, of the longstanding statement pieces donned by modern queens, kings, duchesses, and dukes. As the focus of both historical analysis and modern fandom, these pieces—opulent, ornate, and lavish as they are—are venerated heirlooms as much as conversation starters. For us, one standout item demands special attention: the delicately brilliant, decidedly feminine, and timeless tiara.
No discussion of royal adornment can leave out the jaw-dropping jewelry worn by the now longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. About 70 years ago, in 1947, the wedding of then-Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh made headlines. A highlight of the ceremony was Elizabeth's startlingly impressive headpiece—her mother's fringe tiara, which features a stunning arrangement of vertically positioned diamonds.
Crafted in the early 1900s by the oldest serving jewellery house in the world—Garrard—the tiara was delicate, and snapped only hours before Elizabeth's ceremony. Garrard quickly rushed in to abate the emergency, performing a speedy repair on the headpiece. Now an iconic item in the Queen's collection, the fringe tiara still fascinates with its modern profile and timeless appeal.
While the fringe tiara is an indisputably beautiful object in the Queen's collection, it is not as immediately recognizable as Queen Mary's Girls of Great Britian and Ireland Tiara. Like the fringe tiara, this piece is a family heirloom, which the current Queen inherited from her mother (who had herself inherited it from Queen Mary).
Frequently worn by Queen Elizabeth II, this tiara is often lauded as the Queen's favorite. In addition to being commonly seen on the Queen, the tiara's popularity comes from its appearance on Commonwealth currency.
Of course, high-profile tiaras are also worn by other members of the royal family, including—more recently—Duchess Kate. Spotted three times since 2015, Kate shows a liking for Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara, another remarkable piece crafted by Garrard. With a similarly colorful past, the tiara (an enduring item in Queen Elizabeth II's private collection) was commissioned in the early 1900s as a replica of a gothic tiara. While it originally belonged to Queen Mary, it gained fame as a favorite of Princess Diana.
Acknowledging both the history and widespread appeal of tiaras, Corbett Lighting sought to reimagine the royal staple as a statement lighting piece. The result? The aptly named Tiara collection.
Evoking royal glamour and luxury, Tiara is a sumptuous chandelier that pairs classic elements with a unique diamond-patterned crown as its frame. Every opening features a faceted pear crystal with a central indentation. The beautifully designed outer frame is finished in bronze leaf, while the inner frame is an arched, highly polished stainless structure which reflects the light. The two different finishes create the illusion as if Tiara is floating or on display as a treasured jewel.
Similar to the royal tiaras we've mentioned above, crafting Corbett Lighting's Tiara collection is labor intensive. Each pendant or sconce requires the focused concentration of the artisan, as crystals are meticulously placed and finishes are flawlessly applied. With the same scrupulous attention that goes into forming a couture gown or customized ring, the artists at Corbett Lighting fashion compelling and multidimensional designs from refined materials.
For more variations of this stunning statement maker, explore the full Tiara collection.
