Turquoises have been valued as precious stones for thousands of years but they are relatively rare in modern royal jewellery boxes. So when they make an appearance, everyone notices. And that’s just what happened when a December born princess chose December’s birthstone for a glittering evening out.
Princess Sofia of Sweden went top to toe turquoise when she attended the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm in 2019. As well as a bright turquoise, off the shoulder dress, Sofia added this rather unusual royal gem to her favourite diamond tiara, a gem that has rarely been off her head since she wore it to her wedding. And, for one night only, that much used diadem was topped with turquoises.
(Nobel Prize You Tube still/ fair use)
It was an unusual and unexpected choice but packed a style punch that was hard to miss at this annual event. Add in a pair of very large turquoise and diamond earrings and this was a win all round.
It was also a proper shake up for a tiara that has had more than its fair share of outings since debuting on this princess’s head in 2015. Sofia was given the diadem by her mother and father in law, Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustaf, as she married their only son, Prince Carl Philip.
It began life as a necklace belonging Queen Silvia and also featured emeralds which were converted into ‘topper’ jewels that sat, you’ve guessed it, on top of the tiara. The diadem itself is all diamonds and in a palmette design.
Sofia has rarely worn any other tiara since her wedding. However, she has made adding different jewels to it into something of a hobby.
(Sara Friberg/Kungl. Hovstaterna)
As well as the turquoises and the emeralds, Princess Sofia has also worn this tiara with aquamarines, pearls and topazes on its top as well as with no extra adornment at all. Here’s hoping one day she mixes all those ”toppers” up and gives us a kaleidoscope of jewels in one tiara appearance.
The turquoises have only been seen once and that’s not that much of a surprise as they can be a difficult colour to pair. However, as they are the birthstone of December and the Nobels are always held just before Christmas, there’s every chance Sofia might dust them down again for this special ceremony.
