May Jewel of the Month 2011
Cartier 'Halo' Tiara
Kate Middeleton's choice of the Cartier 'Halo' Tiara may indicate a departure from the stuffy protocols of the past. Kate looked amazing on her wedding day wearing the carefully chosen Tiara, the epitome of simplicity and grace; a crowning statement that carried a carefully chosen message, spelt out in the language of jewelry. Jewelry talks and powerfully, when words may fail us. (see further down) The dominant motif that appears in Kate's diamond wedding jewelry were acorns and the oak leaf. Described as a "low- key" tiara by Jewelry Editor, the message Cartier's 'Halo' Tiara delivered to the world was nothing but high impact. The "Halo" Tiara was made in 1936 by Cartier and presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday. The tiara was bought by the Duke of York - later King George VI - for the Duchess of York - later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother - three weeks before he succeeded his brother as king. Cartier jewellery was praised as high-end Edwardian style jewelry; Cartier's Big Cats Jewelry Collection, was first commissioned by King Edward, for the Love of Wallis Simpson. Cartier crowns, include The 'Persian' Crown commissioned in the same year as the 'Halo' of 1936, and made from platinum. The principal designers at Cartier managed to capture, in their jewels, a light airiness of delicate platinum workmanship. The 'Persian' crown is embedded with emerald palm leaves, in an old Europe style and simple multi-faceted diamond shape. (See reference: http://pdpdp.obolog.com/cartier-crown-65292-status-symbol-621247) Read about the Persian/Arabic Gulf Pearls... Kate's pear-shaped diamond earrings by Robinson Pelham, were designed to specifically match the Cartier Halo Tiara; a present to Kate from her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton on her wedding day. One pavé set diamond acorn is suspended in the centre of each earring, that fall from a delicate oak leaf. The design of the earrings are such, to match the design motif in the Tiara and also echoe the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, which again includes acorns and oak leaves. Two gold stick pins, one with a single gold acorn at the head and the other with an oak leaf, are also worn by the father of the bride, Michael Middleton, and the Bride's brother, James Middleton. The Meaning of Acorns and OaksThe oak has always been seen as the national tree of England. Its great height, age and strength made it the king of the English forest, and a symbol of endurance.Oaks have been a feature of our landscape ever since the end of the last Ice Age. As the climate warmed, 10,000 years ago, oaks spread northwards from mainland Europe, crossing over the land bridge which is now the Channel. In May, the oak produces pale green male flowers, called catkins, whose pollen is blown by the wind to fertilise the less conspicuous female flowers. These develop into the characteristic acorns - called after the Anglo-Saxon name for oak - ac, and corn, meaning seed. The acorn is a symbol of strength and power. In the fall, these tiny yet hardy little nuggets drop from the oak trees to land on the ground. Most will be eaten by passing wildlife, but a few will survive to form a new tree in the spring. Simon Schama on the BBC , reminds us how this wedding is different... “Royal Weddings used to be about power… basically mergers and acquisitions…not now, it’s really about the next generation making something old, very fresh for the future of England.” And if the choice of headwear helps achieve this, then bravo to the Cartier Halo Tiara!
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