Italian Royal Jewels: Princess Helene of Orleans' Emerald Necklace

Apart from the Emerald Necklace of Maria Vittoria, the Savoy-Aosta family has another beautiful emerald and diamond necklace. Well, had anyway: at some point it was sold and its present whereabouts are not known.

The second Emerald and Diamond Necklace of Princess Helene of Orleans

The Savoy-Aosta Emerald Necklace was another wedding gift to Princess Helene of Orleans upon her marriage to Prince Emanuele Filiberto, 2nd Duke of Aosta. The generous present came from Henri d’Orleans, Duc d'Aumale – Helene’s godfather. The two representatives of the House of Orleans were also closely related: Helene’s grandfather, Prince Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orleans, and Henri d’Orleans were brothers.

Italian Royal Jewels: Queen Maria Vittoria's Emerald Necklace

The collection of Savoy jewels never ceases to amaze me; even though huge chunks were sold off over the years, what remains is still mesmerizingly beautiful and really impressive. This necklace is among my personal favourites.

Princess Helene's Emerald and Diamond Necklace

The origins of the necklace are somewhat obscure. Some say it belonged to the Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo, wife of Amadeo I of Spain (known as Amadeo, 1st Duke of Aosta after his abdication). 

Yet other sources claim Princess Helene of Orleans received the necklace as a wedding gift upon her marriage to Prince Emanuele Filiberto, 2nd Duke of Aosta – the son of Amadeo I and Maria Vittoria.