I received feedback that Máxima’s jewelry would be overlooked too much on MKM. Good point. That’s why we’ll be looking at Máxima’s rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches and necklaces from 2023 in the coming days. What stood out? What was new? Featuring today: a crossover ring of sapphire and historic ears of corn.
We go back from December to January throughout the series.
Christmas Music Gala, December 14
During the recording of the Christmas Music Gala, Máxima wore a necklace and matching earrings made of diamond and a blue gemstone (sapphire?). It is probably a gift on the occasion of the inauguration, because the set first appeared in the months after April 30, 2013. I find the new ring on Máxima’s right hand even more interesting. The crossover model, in which several rings are connected to each other, symbolizes everlasting love and connection. Since it concerns three rings, it could easily be a reference to her three daughters.
Máxima with the necklace and earrings in November 2013:
Counter performance, December 13
During the South Korean president’s performance, Máxima wore impressive diamonds. The stud earrings come from the Amsterdam jeweler Vita Israel and belong to the diamond necklace that Princess Wilhelmina received from her father on her ninth birthday. The original design of the earring is longer, with a round and drop-shaped pendant. Read more? Then click here.
Left: Máxima with the simplified version during the performance. Right: Máxima with the complete earrings in 2014.
There are several diamond necklaces in Máxima’s jewelry safe. In this blog I describe four of them in detail. Given the cut of the diamonds, Máxima wore necklace number 4 during the counter performance, which was first seen during the state visit to France in 2016.
Máxima can have a hanger attached to the hook that is clearly visible.
Welcoming ceremony of President of South Korea, December 13
The sapphire papure that Wilhelmina received for her wedding in 1900, Queen Juliana had broken up in 1962 to create several jewels for her four daughters. These earrings are also part of that. Just like during the state visit to Slovakia (March 2023), the hanging sapphire was again a nuisance. Maybe the court jeweler should take a look at that?
Dinner for international organizations based in the Netherlands, December 6
The largest stone from the royal vault is the so-called Stuart diamond. During the dinner for the international organizations based in the Netherlands, the stunner unfortunately did not appear in the picture, but the diamonds hanging from Máxima’s ears do come from the diadem to which the Stuart diamond can be screwed. Thanks to an ingenious system with hooks and screws, the stones can be removed from the diadem and attached to an ear stud. Follow the arrows and you will see the jewel magic arise.
The necklace that Máxima has hanging around her neck has also been discussed above, in the counter performance of December 13. Máxima’s bun contains two ears of corn. We should not confuse these with the ears of corn from the well-known ear of corn diadem, because they come from a historical brooch.
Edwin Fellner, our jewelry expert, can tell you more about this brooch. Edwin: “The jewel probably has an old history, originally Russian. Via Queen Catherine (Paulowna) von Württemberg, the sister of Anna Paulowna, the ears of corn came into the possession of her daughter Queen Sophie (the first wife of King William III). After her death, the jewel went to Sophie’s son, Prince Alexander. The Prince’s untimely death ensured that the ears of corn were inherited by his half-sister, Princess Wilhelmina. The brooch has now been dismantled and the ears of corn are now worn as hair and hat decorations by Queen Máxima.”
Symposium for the fourth anniversary of the Prince Claus Chair, December 6
Just before her wedding, Máxima received two pearl necklaces with matching earrings from Willem-Alexander. You can see a set below. The earrings can be worn in different versions and lengths.
Máxima is wearing version 2 above. Are you curious about all of Máxima’s pearl earrings (41 pieces)? Then click here.
Unfortunately, it is not visible in the photos which earrings Máxima wore during the presentation of the honorary decorations on December 4, 2023.
