German Royal Jewels: Hat Ornament with Dresden Green Diamond

This beautiful diamond hat ornament contains one of the most exquisite diamonds known - the pear-shaped Dresden Green Diamond, a stone of exceptional quality weighing 40.7 carats. It is the largest and finest natural green diamond ever found. The diamond derives its name from Dresden, the capital city of Saxony in Germany: Frederick Augustus II of Saxony bought the diamond in 1741 and the stone remained in Dresden for most of its history.

Diamond Hat Ornament with Dresden Green Diamond

The first setting of the Dresden Green was as part of the decorations on the Order of the Golden Fleece. It lasted only four years before Frederick Augusts ordered his court jewellers to create a new setting for the Order, this time incorporating another fabulous diamond in his collection – the Dresden White (a cushion-shaped 49.7 carat diamond).