Crown Jewels of History: CHAUMET’s 10 Most Iconic Tiaras

The tiara represents the pinnacle of jewelry creation. Over 244 years, CHAUMET has established itself as the world’s leading tiara maker with 3,500 unique designs. These creations have traversed countless artistic waves, witnessed numerous historic moments, and have become deeply embedded in the art, culture, and history of France and Europe.


01

Louvre Museum Treasure

Queen Marie-Louise’s Daytime Parure with Micromosaic

François-Regnault Nitot, 1810
François-Regnault Nitot, 1810

Many of CHAUMET’s masterpieces are housed in the world’s top museums, including the Louvre, Fontainebleau Palace, and the V&A. This masterpiece was recorded in the French “Crown Diamonds” royal jewelry collection in 1811 and is permanently preserved in the Louvre Museum.

The ancient glass and micromosaic inlay pattern, with its delicate and intricate “intertwining vines,” adopts a naturalistic creative style. This style was extremely rare during the Empire period – this set of jewelry and its tiara not only heralded the subsequent rise of the Romantic style but also became excellent proof of CHAUMET’s creative spirit.

The jewelry set includes a necklace, a comb-shaped tiara, a pair of bracelets, and a pair of earrings.


02

Swedish National Treasure

Cameo Tiara

Nitot & Fils, 1810
Nitot & Fils, 1810

This tiara was originally a gift from Napoleon to his lifelong love, Empress Joséphine. It was later passed down to Joséphine’s granddaughter, Queen Josefina of Sweden, and became a Swedish national treasure. The cameo depicts the love story of Cupid and Psyche from Greek mythology, seemingly continuing to narrate the legend of this “Crown of Love.”

This legendary tiara has been passed down to the present day and still witnesses Swedish royal weddings. Combining various classic luxurious decorative elements, it is a representative masterpiece of the gorgeous and enduring style.

In November 2021, Queen Silvia of Sweden once again wore this antique tiara at a state banquet welcoming the King and Queen of Spain, making a grand appearance at this occasion.


03

The Empress’s Favorite

“Wheat Sheaf” Tiara

François-Regnault Nitot, circa 1811
François-Regnault Nitot, circa 1811

The wheat sheaf was not only a natural element beloved by CHAUMET’s muse, Empress Joséphine, but also an important totem in CHAUMET’s naturalistic jewelry creation. This wheat sheaf tiara recreates the light texture of wind-blown wheat with hard metal and gemstones, presenting the gentle waves of a wheat field. CHAUMET’s excellent craftsmanship captures the eternal moment of swaying wheat stalks nestling against each other.


04

Infinite Transformations

“Leuchtenberg” Tiara

Jean-Baptiste Fossin, 1830-1840
Jean-Baptiste Fossin, 1830-1840

This tiara was born in the Romantic period, continuing the naturalistic style. Set with 698 diamonds and 32 emeralds, it features a central 13-carat hexagonal emerald flower as its most eye-catching element. This masterpiece employs CHAUMET’s superior technique of convertible design, which demands extremely high standards in structure, ingenuity, and craftsmanship.

This tiara can be disassembled into multiple pieces of jewelry, serving as hair ornaments or brooches, offering infinite combinations and variations. CHAUMET’s ultimate craftsmanship makes it possible for “flowers” to bloom all over the wearer’s body.


05

Delicate Nature

“Hummingbird” Aigrette Tiara

Joseph Chaumet, circa 1890
Joseph Chaumet, circa 1890

This tiara is a representative work of CHAUMET’s naturalistic creation line, delicately depicting animals in jewelry. The ingeniously conceived jewelry piece vividly recreates the graceful image of a hummingbird. It can be worn as a brooch or combined with a feather to transform into a unique aigrette tiara.

The “hummingbird” is densely set with rubies and diamonds, faithfully reproducing every “feather” through ingenious inlay techniques. The overall design is light and lively, with the delicacy of the bird of paradise complementing the wearer’s elegance.


06

Media Mogul’s Choice

Mrs. Payne Whitney’s “Wing” Tiara

Joseph Chaumet, 1910
Joseph Chaumet, 1910

The owner of this wing tiara was Mrs. Whitney, the founder of VOGUE magazine, the founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art, a disciple of the sculptor Rodin, and a loyal customer of CHAUMET.

Wing jewelry was an extremely bold theme during the “Belle Époque.” The soaring wings set with 566 diamonds can be worn as both a tiara and a brooch. This piece by CHAUMET seems to bring to life the glory, romance, and prosperity of France’s golden years, accompanied by the jazz music of the era.


07

All-Encompassing

Princess Yusupov’s “Sun” Tiara

Joseph Chaumet, 1913-14
Joseph Chaumet, 1913-14

CHAUMET’s naturalistic creations extend beyond flora and fauna to include the celestial realm. This tiara, centered around a 13-carat yellow diamond, powerfully radiates light in all directions, maximizing the effect of the sun’s brilliance. The entire tiara is vibrant and versatile, dazzling to the eye, proudly unique, and embracing the cosmos.

The order record for this tiara still exists in CHAUMET’s archives, with detailed documentation of the customer’s requirements, reflecting CHAUMET’s sincere and attentive service spirit.


08

Eclectic Harmony

“Rising Sun” Diamond Aigrette Tiara

Joseph Chaumet, 1914
Joseph Chaumet, 1914

Created during the Art Nouveau period, this tiara combines Eastern aesthetics with Western design concepts. CHAUMET didn’t blindly follow the popular Art Nouveau style of the time. Instead, they selectively absorbed and adopted elements, maintaining their own identity while embracing diverse influences. This artistic approach to creation ensures that CHAUMET’s works never go out of style, aiming for timelessness.


09

A Princess’s Treasure

Bourbon-Parma “Honeysuckle” Tiara

Joseph Chaumet, 1919
Joseph Chaumet, 1919

Commissioned by the Duke of Doudeauville for his daughter Eve’s marriage to Prince Bourbon-Parma, this tiara was the crowning jewel among the princess’s many splendid wedding gifts. Created in 1919, this honeysuckle tiara is still considered legendary today.

The honeysuckle tiara employs CHAUMET’s exclusive “trompe l’oeil” technique, which uses hidden settings to gather multiple diamonds, making the piece even more dazzling. The iconic “teardrop” diamond shape has transcended a century and continues to inspire CHAUMET’s creations. A scene in the movie “The Princess Diaries” where Anne Hathaway wears a replica of this tiara has become a classic moment in film history.


10

The Power of Imagination

“Vertigo Garden” Tiara

Scott Armstrong, 2017
Scott Armstrong, 2017

In 2017, CHAUMET collaborated with Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, for a tiara design competition. Student Scott Armstrong won first place with this “Vertigo Garden” tiara, which combines the grandeur of traditional French gardens with light and lively ingenious design, creating a stunning effect. The clean lines and asymmetrical design are original and full of imagination.

Without any nostalgic elements, it perfectly interprets CHAUMET’s creative spirit of finding balance between classic and modern. This tiara also demonstrates CHAUMET’s continued focus on younger generations.


Breaking News: Crowning Oneself

CHAUMET, the master of tiaras, collaborates with brand ambassador Yu Shi to create a groundbreaking tiara design for the cover of “T CHINA” magazine. The tiara transcends material and art, becoming a totem of noble spirit. Interpreting the deep meaning of tiaras from a unique perspective, CHAUMET’s new brand ambassador Yu Shi embodies genuine sincerity and tenacious perseverance through her relentless experiences. As a new-generation actress making her mark on the screen, she actively faces various challenges.

On life’s journey of growth, the tiara serves as inspiration, deepening the courage, perseverance, wisdom, and sense of responsibility carried by each challenge and tribulation. This enables one to avoid getting lost in the dazzle of sudden fame, to persist in silence, self-reflection, and contemplation, and to clarify one’s mission, strengthen beliefs, cultivate energy, and embrace challenges, shaping a unique “crowning” trajectory.

With the development of the times, the royal significance of tiaras has transformed into a symbolic totem of more personal glory. During days of striving forward, a tiara is like the ultimate reward, becoming a light within one’s heart!

CHAUMET Déferlante High Jewelry Collection's "Waves of Brilliance" Tiara
CHAUMET Déferlante High Jewelry Collection’s “Waves of Brilliance” Tiara

Crown Jewels of History: CHAUMET’s 10 Most Iconic Tiaras