Tiara Thursday: The Boucheron Emerald Ivy Tiara

It's Halloween, and I have for you today a tiara that would be the perfect complement to the forest fairy outfit I know you've been planning:

The Boucheron Emerald Ivy Tiara

This fascinating piece is from Boucheron, made in 2003 under the design of then-creative director Solange Azagury-Partridge. The tiara is in the shape of a wreath of ivy, made entirely from emeralds set in black gold. René Brus notes in his book Crown Jewellery and Regalia of the World that the design is based on a necklace from the Boucheron archive that dates from 1890, and of course ivy motifs on the whole have often been used in jewels throughout history. In this case, it is the materials here that make this something completely new. It's rare to see a tiara that is all colored gemstones without diamonds or pearls or anything else to break it up. It's also rare to see the use of black gold, which gives the tiara a rather deep, mysterious feel.

Queen Rania

The tiara was worn twice (that I know of) by Queen Rania of Jordan: in a portrait and for a state banquet during a 2003 visit to Sweden with her husband, King Abdullah II. This is a tricky piece to style but she did it well, allowing it to lend the appropriate drama to the portrait and pairing it with an ethereal gown for the state visit. But it seems it was only on loan to the Queen by Boucheron, and so we won't see it again. I love the design variety this tiara provides, but I can also understand fully why you would loan it and return it instead of own it for yourself - such a statement piece is bound to have limited uses.

What say you: too costume-y, or perfect for regular wear?

Photos: Boucheron/Vanity Fair/Abaca