Arts 5th Avenue

Wedding tiaras may have existed almost as long as humans have on this world. Similar to how tiaras and crowns are being used today, tiaras even during the ancient times were used to highlight the beauty of the wearer. However, during those times, only members of royalty were allowed to wear crowns or tiaras. The size and design signified the status of the wearer.

The earliest evidence on the use of tiaras was found on the mummies of royalty in Egypt. For the Greeks, the use of tiaras symbolized that the wearer was of holy descent, either a descendant of the gods or their priests. Tiaras were also used to signify people of high rank in Greek society as well as to award champions of competitions. Similarly, the Roman Empire also utilized the same system in order to symbolize social status.

It was in Persia where the term tiara was first used. Similar to other early tiaras, the Persian tiara was tall and elaborately decorated with precious stones. In contrast to other cultures, only the king was allowed to wear a tiara. The kings or pharaohs of ancient Egypt wore a three level crown depicting unity. During the ancient times, the materials used in making crowns and tiaras were not limited to using precious stones and metals and yet they still yielded as the same effect. In Assyria, kings wore crowns and tiaras which utilized the horns of bulls as well as feathers.

It is fascinating to see that up until that time, it was more common to see men adorn themselves with tiaras. In Napoleon’s time, a lot of the actions and decisions during those times were highly influenced by ancient Rome. It was during this time when more women of nobility were seen wearing tiaras. Even the Russian nobility were also influenced by this extravagant way of demonstrating wealth and prominence in society. Designers from countries in Europe have produced elaborate crowns and tiaras for Russian nobility that have surpassed even those in other countries.
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Tiaras are accessories placed on top of the head. They have been considered as a type of a crown, historically used by people of high status and made from expensive gemstones and metals. The design and the materials used to make these headpieces denote the rank or stature of the individual in the community. As a circular headpiece, it is also said to resemble a halo. This may be a reason why in the ancient times, individuals who used these accessories were viewed as godlike or sent from the heavens.

Although members of nobility continue to use this form of crown, their use is no longer limited to a particular stature in society. Tiaras are commonly worn and found in pageants and weddings and adorned using cheaper stones and materials. Rhinestones are commonly utilized in creating wedding tiaras. More popular in Western civilizations, they are commonly characterized by a silver backdrop that increases the light reflected through the stone. Besides a rhinestone tiara, brides may choose to have rhinestones as part of the other accessories, including the necklace, earrings or even a bracelet, to create a more consistent style.

As compared to other materials commonly used in making tiaras such as pearls and clear crystal beads, rhinestone tiaras may often be brightly colored. The colors grab the attention of the viewer. Rhinestone tiaras are popular as they are a cheaper alternative to wedding tiaras made from gemstones like sapphires, rubies and the like.

Rhinestones were originally rock crystals collected from the Rhine River, from where they get their name. Used to simulate diamonds, they have been commonly used to replace expensive gemstones or minerals. The demand for these semi-precious stones has risen substantially since their introduction during the late18th century. Manufacturers have tried to keep up with the demand by constantly improving their product. These days, it is common to find rhinestones that even glisten much like diamonds. Well known manufacturers of rhinestones include Swarovski in Austria and Preciosa, of the Czech Republic.
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Tiaras have been used by both men and women since their conception during the ancient times. However, in eras passed, wearing tiaras was limited to pharaohs, kings or gods. It was a symbol of affluence, wealth and beauty. These days there is an increase in the demand and supply of tiaras. A number of members of the nobility still continue to wear tiaras but wearing one is no longer limited to that section of society.

Ever since the beginning of the modern era, women have worn tiaras during beauty pageants and weddings to enhance their beauty or to simulate the feeling of royalty. Members of the royal family or nobility wore tiaras to symbolize wealth while other women wore them to heighten the impact of their appearance and to distinguish themselves from everyone else who is dressed up at their weddings.

With the continued interest and demand for these headpieces, it is to be expected that there would be numerous museums and exhibits dedicated to tiaras. These museums are a tribute to these longstanding accessories while informing the next generation of its history. There are at least four major museums and exhibits which showcase these gems from ancient times. These are the Louvre Museum in Paris, the British Museum in London, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum in the United States.

Each museum and exhibit shows a different aspect from the rich history of tiaras. The Louvre Museum in France holds two pieces that have shaped or affected the country. These are the Empress Eugenie Pearl and Diamond Tiara and the Tiara of Saitaferne. Each has its own interesting story to tell. The Empress Eugenie was made during the middle of the 19th century and was paid for by Napoleon III as a gift to his wife, Eugenie de Montijo for their wedding. After the downfall of Napoleon, the tiara changed hands several times before it was bought by the Louvre Museum during the early 1990s.
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