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Handmade from recycled gold

diadem

Diadem Byzanz Byzantine diadem of gold with amethysts and emeralds, 4th century (1)

A tiara is a half-crown decorated with precious stones that is worn over the forehead. Traditionally, it is a sign of royalty and high rank; today, however, this piece of jewelry is also often worn by brides at weddings in subtle versions. However, the tiara still captivates with its glamour and elegance.

Its early history

An example of a very early form of the diadem is the very artistically designed diadem of the ancient Egyptian princess Khnemt. The piece of jewelry, set with precious stones, is made from gold wire that is arranged in a filigree and naturalistic floral pattern.
In contrast, in ancient Greece, first headbands and later laurel wreaths were used as decorations for high dignitaries. The current name diadem is derived from them, which goes back to the Greek term diadema (headband). The first Greek diadems as we understand them today were made of gold or silver and decorated with simple embossed dot patterns. Greek deities such as Zeus or Hera were often depicted in the visual arts with diadems as a sign of their high rank.
The following centuries brought about a fascinating variety of tiaras made from different precious metals in a wide variety of shapes.

Diadem Griechenland Remains of a Greek diadem from the 3rd century BC, now in the Louvre in Paris (2)

The tiara and its development into a fashion accessory

In the 19th century, the significance of the diadem changed. It was no longer just reserved for the nobility to wear a diadem, but middle-class women could also adorn themselves with this special piece of jewelry on special occasions - it increasingly became a fashion "must-have". At about the same time, the tradition that is still alive today of the bride wearing a delicate diadem to her wedding also emerged.
The film industry helped the tiara to become very popular in the 1930s and 1950s, when it was worn as a special accessory by famous actors in world-famous films such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's".
Even today, the tiara still has a unique aura – it is a very exclusive and glamorous piece of jewelry that likes to adorn a woman’s head, especially in big moments.

(1) Image source: Wikipedia, Author: Walters Art Museum
(2) Image source: Wikipedia, Author: Musée du Louvre

Would you like to learn more about jewelry clasps ? Go to the encyclopedia article.