Dutch Royal Jewels: The Mellerio Ruby Parure

The Dutch Royals have arguably the best collection of ruby jewellery the European Royal Houses. Apart from various separate jewels, they actually have two complete ruby parures – the Peacock Parure and this Mellerio Ruby Parure.

The Mellerio Ruby Tiara

In 1889, King Willem III commissioned Mellerio to create a parure as a 30th birthday present to his second wife, Queen Emma. Originally, the French jeweller intended to use sapphires but in the end it was decided that rubies would look more fetching with the general design. 

Dutch Royal Jewels: Queen Emma’s Diamond Tiara

Queen Emma’s Diamond Tiara was commissioned by King William III of the Netherlands for his second wife, Queen Emma in 1890.

Queen Emma's Diamond Tiara

It was created by Royal Begeer and specifically designed to be able to incorporate the five of the six 12-pointed stars Queen Emma had received as a wedding gift in 1879 from her new relatives, the Von Wieds. The sixth star was left to be used as a brooch. 

Work on the tiara was finished shortly after the King’s death so the first occasion it was worn to was King Williams funeral. The original tiara consisted of three large centrepieces which could be topped with the star ornaments. At some point some minor adjustments were made and the large diamond buttons in the centre of each piece were made detachable. Usually, only the central stone is replaced with a ruby; however, Queen Beatrix is known to have swapped diamonds for rubies in all three.