Tiaras

Historically the wearing of a Tiara was a mark of nobility or royalty. Some worn by Kings in ancient times were extremely ornate and heavy, while in classical times supreme power was often denoted in the simplest way by a band of cloth worn round the head. The earliest Tiaras found in the Greek world were made of gold or silver sheet decorated with simple patterns embossed from the back, but later for ceremonial occasions wreaths of leaves were worn.Today’s Tiaras are easier to wear, they are now constructed of the newer lighter materials, and are available in a vast range of styles, colours and prices, making them fashionable yet affordable for that special evening whether it’s a prom night, charity ball or a hen party.Whatever the occasion Tiaras always have, and always will add glamour, allure and sophistication, making any woman feel like a princess.

Wedding Tiaras

In past centuries in England the affluent groom as a show of love and affection would present his bride with a wedding tiara; the giving of the tiara although a gift for the wedding also showed her to be a lady of wealth and status in society. Wedding tiaras were kept as a family heirloom, which would be passed onto the next generation. The wedding tiaras of today could well be kept and passed on from mother to daughter as the quality of workmanship in English handmade jewellery is second to none. Swarovski crystals are used in top quality wedding tiaras, with a unique variety of stones and crystal clarity Swarovski often sets the latest trends. The range of styles available to today’s bride to be is amazing. The crystal feature may well be offset or a comb fitting used depending on the hairstyle, the bridal headpiece can be of almost any colour desired.

Wedding Jewellery

The custom of wearing wedding jewellery developed from the late medieval fashion in Scandinavia of wearing a bridal crown (itself a development of the unmarried girls chaplet), and has continued until the present day. Churches or local authorities generally owned the jewellery. Wedding jewellery was usually extremely pretty but of low intrinsic value. It would include a bridal crown and usually a brooch, earrings and sometimes a pendant or necklace. The bride today has such a variety of wedding jewellery to choose from, however here are some simple tips to remember, the bridal jewellery you select should match your style of wedding and of course you’re wedding dress. Decide how you will wear your hair, this is important particularly with long hair where it may obscure earrings and possibly pendants and necklaces. In other words choose wedding jewellery that suits the overall style and look you will have on the day.

Crystal Jewellery

The invention of paste as used in crystal jewellery is attributed to Frederic Strauss (1702-1773). Born in Strasbourg, he went to work in Paris as a jeweller. By the 1730s Strauss was using lead crystal to create beautiful crystal jewellery, bow brooches, tiaras, bracelets and necklaces were among the most popular items, his shop became famous and his jewellery enormously popular, so much so that he was appointed jeweller to the King of France. It was no social disgrace to be seen wearing crystal jewellery in the 18th century, in fact quite the opposite, the jewellery was highly fashionable and it made sense not to wear expensive jewellery, as highway robbery was a real and common occurrence. Crystal jewellery continually evolves; the use of colour in necklaces, bracelets and earrings has never been greater. An AB crystal can “pick up“ colours from its surroundings giving subtle shades of colour.

Diamante Jewellery

There is often confusion as to the difference between diamante jewellery and jewellery made with crystals, the dictionary definition is; diamante: item decorated with glittering ornaments such as sequins or rhinestones. Rhinestones are crystals, the name rhinestone came about because crystals where manufactured in Strasbourg which is situated on the river Rhine. Today’s celebrities weren't the first to add diamante jewellery to their jewellery boxes. After the domestic austerity imposed by World War II, post-war women sought glamour, and diamante gave it! The 1920s era had previously revived the fashion for glamorous and extravagant jewellery. In this period diamante jewellery was often very well made in the best Art Deco style: firms such as Cartier made fine high fashion paste jewels. Nowadays antique diamante jewellery has become much sought after and is hard to find such items will therefore continue to increase in value.

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