Windsor Jewelry We Love to Hate

Thatcher never wore a tiara unlike Nancy Astor. 

Lady Thatcher lived in a different Era to Nancy Astor....she was not (at that time a peeress) and she did not own 5 tiaras like Lady A

I think that brooches were Lady Thatcher's thing, weren't they Ashdean?  I seem to recall that there was a theft of her jewellery and that she seemed to have a lot of gem-set brooches?


Nancy Astor's principal tiara was a huge ugly thing, primarily designed as a recepticle for the Sancy.....another of my least favourite jewels (the tiara, not the Sancy!)

Brooches were indeed Lady T's signature gem apart from pearls.Lady M develped a great & very individual style style during her premiership.
The Sancy tiara was indeed a cumbersome ugly ornament but I think it was not originally designed for the great Sancy but was later adapted to hold it...However I need to check to be sure...

The central element of the tiara was adapted in 1913 to hold the Sancy.

Thank you Ashdean, that's really interesting.  I hope that one day my knowledge of jewellery is as extensive as yours! (I live in hope!)

So this rather ugly 'fender' existed before the Sancy was bought to add to its glory?  The design of this tiara really is quite ugly.....

I think it does suit Nancy Astor though.

In Queen Mary's wedding photos, Mary has normal earlobs.  Photos taken in old age show the lobs to be stretched out.  Whether this is an age-related occurance or a result of years of wearing heavy earrings, I don't know.  Pictures of Queen Elizabeth II do not show such a big difference.

 

I recall that QEII didn't have her ears pierced until she was grown and receiving earrings as gifts.  I have pierced ears and can only imagine the weight of some of the larger sets that have been worn.   I love earrings but can't wear heavy ones.  

Are there some types of alternate support structure to the earrings so that the whole weight of earring does not pull on the ear lob?

In Queen Mary's wedding photos, Mary has normal earlobs.  Photos taken in old age show the lobs to be stretched out.  Whether this is an age-related occurance or a result of years of wearing heavy earrings, I don't know.  Pictures of Queen Elizabeth II do not show such a big difference.

 

I recall that QEII didn't have her ears pierced until she was grown and receiving earrings as gifts.  I have pierced ears and can only imagine the weight of some of the larger sets that have been worn.   I love earrings but can't wear heavy ones.  

Are there some types of alternate support structure to the earrings so that the whole weight of earring does not pull on the ear lob?

 This topic (of dealing with the heaviness) was discussed sometime ago on "The Glittering Royal Events Message Board." Someone remarked that an additional "support" consisting of a thin gold/silver/platinum wire "hook" would/could be attached to the reverse of the heavy earrings and hooked-over BEHIND the ear and over the frontal top, so that the end of the hook was hidden in the hair, becoming practically invisible to the person facing the wearer. Thus the earring was supported not only by the earlobe, but the entire structure of the ear itself.
  As to whether Queen Mary ever utilized this adaptation, I cannot say.     Regards, AP.

There is an earring which has a loop of precious metal at the back through which the post fits thus preventing pull on the lobe. The wedding earrings worn by wives of Russian Tsars were ruby fruits with emerald leaves which were so heavy that it necessitated them being looped over the ear to prevent them tearing the lobe, which happened to an elderly friend when she constantly wore heavy earrings.

I think it unlikely those earrings could stretch the ear lobes. The comparison in the two Queen Mary photos just shows age related changes IMO. Sadly skin loses its elasticity as we age!   

Perhaps if a person was wearing extremely heavy earrings day in day out for a number of years it's possible, I believe I have seen it in some African cultures...

I don't think Queen Mary liked long earrings, although there must be some in store. The present Queen likes drop earrings of both diamonds & pearls.

I don't think Queen Mary liked long earrings, although there must be some in store. The present Queen likes drop earrings of both diamonds & pearls.

The present Queen wears pendent earrings in every precious stone!

Yes, but she prefers pearls and diamonds that goes with her diamond and pearl tiaras. I don't think the Queen has a pair of Topaz or opal pendant earrings.

Yes, but she prefers pearls and diamonds that goes with her diamond and pearl tiaras. I don't think the Queen has a pair of Topaz or opal pendant earrings.

Really Eric...you would be better to stop and think OR CHECK before innanely rambling on.....only  relatively few posts ago on this very thread you were commenting on the Queens diamond and OPAL necklace and PENDENT earrings!

I don't recall posting that. Maybe you should check it out. I try to avoid writing things like "in every precious stone". It builds you up to fail since the Queen does not have pendent earrings in every precious stone. For example I don't believe she has topaz or opal pendant earrings.

I don't recall posting that. Maybe you should check it out. I try to avoid writing things like "in every precious stone". It builds you up to fail since the Queen does not have pendent earrings in every precious stone. For example I don't believe she has topaz or opal pendant earrings.

POST 297  on this thread...then follow the link proves that the Queen has opal pendent earrings as I told you earlier.
Think carefully,take a few deep breaths and then post yr reply.Indeed it might be a good tactic for all yr posts...it would irritate less members and  make you seem more stable.

Thanks for the advice. I usually say I don't think but not that she definitely has. My knowledge is not infallible and I know it. But I do know something and like to put it forward as a topic for discussion only. If I make a mistake, I will admit it and move on (thanking people for the correction in the process).

Yes, but she prefers pearls and diamonds that goes with her diamond and pearl tiaras. I don't think the Queen has a pair of Topaz or opal pendant earrings.

How do you know what she prefers?  I can't think of an instance when she has discussed her jewellery publicly, let alone expressed a preference for stones.

Do enlighten us.....