During the Caribbean Tour, a serious gem turned up on Amalia’s hand: a lotus ring from jeweler Steltman.
The ring probably comes from Máxima’s jewelry vault, because the queen was already seen with the jewel in 2021. In the book ‘Amalia’ by Claudia de Breij, the princess says that she has been able to find her way to her mother’s jewelry vault for some time. Princess Amalia: “I really enjoyed wearing my mother’s jewelry anyway. When I was very little, she was preparing for an important dinner and she shouted through the house: “Amalia, where is that ring?”
In an earlier edition of Royalty I already wrote about the history of the lotus ring. The design is part of the history of jeweler Steltman, just like the Eiffel Tower is in Paris. I’ll just quote myself: “When the lotus flower came into fashion in the 1920s and 1930s because of the fascination with Asian cultures, Johannes Steltman participated in his own way. He found his inspiration in ethnographic art. Think of masks, Chinese animal figures, Japanese belt knots, African musical instruments, Peruvian pottery and Persian oil lamps. Steltman incorporated the lotus flower into designs full of contrast. The heart of the flower often consisted of a pearl or diamond, while the petals were decorated with matte black enamel – a technique that Steltman Juwelier is still known for in 2023. The petals of the lotus differed in shape and composition and the edges of the petals were often set with small brilliants.”
A new jacket
In honor of Steltman Juwelier’s centenary, the iconic design was given a new look. Reinier Brom, goldsmith and head of the studio, designed a collection with brilliant cut diamonds (or colored stones) in a convex floral pattern. Because the floral motif is placed higher and open on a white or yellow gold bottom surface, the reflection of the light makes it look as if the lotus is floating. Hence the name of the collection: Floating Lotus.
Máxima with the ring in June 2021:
Close-up of the ring:
