Buy a Tiara

Tiaras - A History of Splendour 1800-2000 by Geoffrey C. Munn. Photos of many tiaras, designed by Cartier, Faberge, Lalique, Tiffany, and others. Over 400 illustrations. Includes chapters on tiaras as crown jewels, tiaras as works of art, and the relationship between tiaras and costume balls.

Tiaras: Past and Present by Geoffrey Munn. The author, jeweler by appointment to the British monarchy, presents tiaras spanning two centuries. Designers include Cartier, Boucheron, Van Cleef, and Versace. Published to accompany an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Timeless Tiaras: Chaumet From 1804 to the Present by Diana Scarisbrick. An exquisite selection from unknown Chaumet archives. The author traces the evolution of these tiaras from the 18th century to present, featuring the people for whom they were made and the great events at which they were worn. 220 color illustrations.

Tiara by Diana Scarisbrick. Photos of more than 75 tiaras presented with an essay about the history of tiaras. Photographs show tiaras worn by Russian princesses, British royalty, and many others. Out of print in the U.S., but sometimes available at Alibris.

Books About Royal Jewels

Royal Jewels: From Charlemagne to the Romanovs edited by Diana Scarisbrick, Christophe Vachaudez, and Jan Walgrave. A celebration of European jewels. Over 300 photographs.

Jewels of the Tsars: The Romanovs & Imperial Russia by Prince Michael of Greece. The author, a Romanov descendant, writes with an insider's knowledge of his family's passion for jewels. Includes 18th- and 19th-century portraits and photographs of the tsars, their families, and their court.

Hidden Treasures of the Romanovs: Saving the Royal Jewels by William Clarke. Biography of Albert Henry Stopford, an aristocratic English art dealer who risked his life to rescue Romanov jewels during the Russian Revolution. The gems were destined to adorn the rich and famous -- queens, duchesses and film stars. Illustrated.

Ancient and Modern Gems and Jewels: In the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen by Kirsten Aschengreen Piacenti and John Boardman. Illustrated catalogue of 325 engraved gems and intaglios, jewels and Orders, with an account of the formation of the collection.

Chasing the Mountain of Light by Kevin Rushby. Tells the story of the world's largest diamond, the Koh-i-Noor. Seized from Punjab by agents for Queen Victoria, it now lies in the Tower of London, where some say its curse controls the fate of the Windsor family.

Colonel Blood: The Man Who Stole the Crown Jewels by David Hanrahan. Thomas Blood (1618-80) was the only person to steal the crown jewels. This book explores Blood's villainy, and depicts the means by which the crown maintained power in the early years of Charles II's reign.

Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem by Richard Kurin. The 'curse' of the Hope Diamond is part of a long story that involves ancient religion and modern magic, royal power and class rivalry, revenge and greed.

Queens' Jewels by Vincent Meylan. Relates the grandiose history of royal adornments throughout the world, from the lost jewels of the last queen of Italy to the bloody odyssey of the Romanov crown. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

The Queen's Jewels: The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II by Leslie Field. The first definitive account of the priceless jewels owned by Queen Elizabeth II, published with the full cooperation of Buckingham Palace. Heavily illustrated with photos of royals of past and present generations wearing the jewels. From Alibris.

Books About Faberge

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On DVD

These DVDs are formatted for North American audiences.

Ancient Mysteries - Curse of the Hope Diamond. It was said to be the favorite jewel of Marie Antoinette. Could its curse have doomed her during the French Revolution?

The Deadly Diamond. TV documentary about the Hope Diamond.

More DVDs About Royalty