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| The Antique Girandole Earrings |
Girandole earrings are a classic style which became popular around the 18th century. They often have a very delicate construction and include three pendants, the central pendant being lower than the other two. This particular pair of diamond earrings are the best example of this style we see the Queen wear. They include a large round diamond top and three pear drop pendants in what looks to be an antique setting.
We don't know much about these earrings, though. Leslie Field, in her book
The Queen's Jewels, refers to them in passing as "antique diamond girandole earrings" and mentions that Queen Victoria had been partial to the style in her day. The Queen has been wearing them since the early 1970s, at least.
They're a popular match with necklaces like the
King Khalid Diamond Necklace, the
King Faisal Diamond Necklace, the
Diamond Pear-Shaped Pendant Fringe Necklace, or the
George VI Festoon Necklace. These are all necklaces which entered the collection without their own pre-matched earrings (as part of a parure or demi-parure), so it's easy to imagine the Girandole Earrings as a purchase intended to fill that certain hole in the vault. However, they could also have been a gift or something discovered in the jewel collection.
Appearances:
16 June 2014:
Garter Day
2010:
State Visit to the UAE and Oman
2007:
CHOGM Dinner
2005: State Visit from China
1991:
Balmoral Ghillies Ball
1991:
State Visit to the United States
1988:
Official Visit to the Netherlands
1978:
State Visit to Germany
1972:
State Visit from the Netherlands
1967:
Visit to Malta
Various Years:
State Opening of Parliament
Various Years:
The Garter Service
Various Years:
CHOGM Dinners
Photos: Getty Images/Corbis/PA
