In the time of Queen Beatrix, the maid did it, nowadays there is a lady walking around Noordeinde Palace who (part-time) adjusts the jewels of the House of Orange.
To show the many possibilities of the collection, in this blog we zoom in on the historic diamond earrings that Máxima has been seen wearing. Although all combinations with colored gemstones and pearls are excluded for this blog, it will soon become apparent that 1 plus 1 in the Oranjevault is definitely more than 2.
Let’s start at the beginning: the stud earrings. When Queen Juliana was on the throne, fashion options were limited. Queen Wilhelmina did not wear ear jewelry. Over the years, several stud earrings have been added to the Orange collection, so there are plenty of options for the queen and princesses. To give you an idea, I have highlighted 11 plugs.
Máxima can have all kinds of diamonds attached to the diamond studs. Below you can see 8 examples.
Example 1: Stud earring 5 + brooch pendant
After the death of Queen Wilhelmina in 1962, a set of sapphire and diamonds was placed with jeweler Bodes en Bode. The set was dismantled stone by stone, after which several new jewels were made. This also includes four pairs of earrings for the four princesses of Soestdijk, Beatrix, Irene, Margriet and Christina. On the left we see one of the four earrings. For the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Máxima had historic diamonds attached to the ear studs. These stones come from the brooch (devant de corsage) that Emma received as a gift from the Dutch people in 1879.
Example 2: Earrings with new plug
The Bodes and Bode earring (see above) can also be worn with a stud earring from the time of Queen Juliana. We are talking about stud number 1 here.
Example 3: Ear stud 1 + diamonds from Wilhelmina’s earrings
During the state visit to India in 2007 (photo left), Máxima wore a round and pear-shaped diamond on ear stud 1. These stones probably come from the earrings that Wilhelmina received as a gift from her father for her ninth (!) birthday.
Example 4: Uprights of the diadem with the house diamonds
The diadem with the house diamonds, also called the Stuart diadem, contains several diamonds that sparkle. The collage below shows that you can also unscrew them and assemble them into earrings. The circled stones are therefore attached to each other and thus form an earring.
For those who are curious about the technical side, I have this razor-sharp photo of the rear. Do you see the hook?
Example 5: Stud earring 1 + center piece with crosses and diamonds + pendant bow brooch
Of all the diamond earrings, Máxima has worn this combination the most. Next to ear stud number 1 you see an intermediate piece with diamond diamonds and x’s and a teardrop-shaped pendant from the bow brooch that Queen Emma ordered from jeweler Schürmann & Co in 1897.
Example 6: Ear stud 3 + pendant from Emma’s wedding gift
In honor of her wedding, Queen Emma received an impressive diamond brooch as a gift from the Dutch people in 1879. Before President Putin’s visit (2005), Maxima had two pendants removed from the jewel and attached to ear studs number 3.
Example 7: Ear stud 1 + pendants from Emma’s wedding gift
The pendants you see in the example above are also sometimes attached to ear stud 1.
Example 8: Stud 1 + core of diamond earrings from the 1960s
And the last example again. For this combination, Máxima had a brilliant + large, round diamond attached to ear stud number 1. For these stones, the earrings that jeweler Bodes en Bode made from historic stones in the 1960s were unscrewed. (See example 1)
Of course, many more combinations are possible. Especially if you also consider the pearls and colored diamonds. It would be nice if Máxima managed to surprise us again during the Spanish state visit!
This blog was created in collaboration with Renske, for which thanks!
