Although topaz is not a common stone in tiaras, there are a few royal tiaras that do use the stones in at least one of their settings. One of them is Queen Sonja of Norway’s Modern Gold Tiara. The bright topazes with their red hint are just one version of this diadem which can also feature green stones in its yellow base.
While Queen Sonja has several tiaras in her collection that date back to the nineteenth century, this tiara is less than thirty years old.
[getty src=”158069070″ width=”366″ height=”594″ tld=”com”]The Modern Gold Tiara is part of a parure with earrings and a choker. This kokoshnik-style tiara is made in yellow gold, which is uncommon in royal tiaras.
The tiara is made of up of golden slats, with small diamonds set sporadically in between. The are three different stones that can be used in the centre: an orange topaz setting, green tourmaline with diamonds, or a gold and diamond setting.Â
The parure was created by jewellery designer Millie Behrens in 1997. It is thought that the tiara, earrings, and choker were a sixtieth birthday gift from King Harald.Â
To date, only Queen Sonja has worn the Modern Gold Tiara. She has used it several times in each setting.Â
[getty src=”157793646″ width=”397″ height=”594″ tld=”com”]In 2007, she chose the topaz setting for the tiara (and accompanying orange topaz jewellery) for a gala dinner during a State Visit to Germany.
For many royal watchers, this is a divisive tiara, but Queen Sonja clearly loves it.
