Though seldom worn today, tiaras still have the power to fascinate. This one was made in the Faberge workshop in 1890. It came up for auction with Sotheby’s in 2007. They noted at that time, “A MAGNIFICENT ANTIQUE DIAMOND TIARA, BY FABERGE. Designed as a series of graduated old-cut diamond arches with knife edge collet spacers, the central pear-shaped diamond flanked by three briolette and one old-cut diamond, each with diamond collet and leaf surmount to the foliate band, on gold wire frame, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1890, 13.2 cm. wide, with Russian assay marks for gold
Maker’s mark for August Holmström on frame.”

I think magnificent is a perfect word for this jewel. The pre-auction estimate was GBP 400,000 – GBP 600,000; the price realized was GBP 1,050,400.