Art Deco Style 5-Strand Pearl Necklace
Pearls have always been highly cherished organic gemstones among the members of the Windsor family, and a pearl necklace is considered a "must-have jewelry" for each member. Princess Margaret was no exception. In the most iconic official portrait that solidified her reputation as the "English Rose," Princess Margaret was seen wearing a 5-strand pearl necklace. This necklace was a birthday gift from her grandmother, Queen Mary, on her 18th birthday and featured a clasp with distinct Art Deco style. Adorned in a waist-cinching white chiffon dress by Dior and wearing this exquisite necklace, Princess Margaret embodied all the fantasies people had about a "princess." After the princess's passing in 2002, this necklace was anonymously auctioned off to a collector from China for £200,000.
Art Deco Style Double-Strand Pearl Bracelet
Paired with the famous 5-strand pearl necklace, the pearl bracelet in Art Deco style made its first appearance at an auction in 2006, fetching a price of £72,000 at Christie's. It reappeared in 2021 and was sold for an astounding £396,800 (approximately 3.39 million RMB), ten times its estimated value of £30,000-£40,000.
This bracelet was crafted by Cartier and is composed of pearls and diamonds. Small round diamonds are threaded through the two strands of pearls, creating a distinct Art Deco geometric symmetrical pattern at the clasp, adding a touch of Princess Margaret's allure and rebelliousness to the renowned elegance of pearls.
Halo Scroll Tiara
The Halo Scroll Tiara is an Art Deco-style crown adorned with 16 scalloped scroll motifs, 739 dazzling round brilliant-cut natural diamonds, and 149 step-cut natural diamonds. It was custom-made by Cartier's workshop in 1936 as a Christmas gift from the then Duke of York, George VI, to his wife, Elizabeth.
In 1944, it was presented to Princess Elizabeth as a coming-of-age gift when she was still a princess. Princess Margaret, the "English Rose," also admired the tiara. The princess's elegant silhouette wearing the tiara at balls and dinners was captured in numerous old photographs.
Later, the tiara was inherited by Princess Anne and made another appearance in the public eye as the wedding tiara of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Poltimore Tiara
The Poltimore Tiara is a classic Victorian-style crown composed of cushion-cut and old-cut diamonds. It is one of the most well-known pieces of jewelry in the British royal collection and was also a prominent feature in Princess Margaret's bath photograph.
Originally, the tiara belonged to Lady Poltimore, the wife of Baron Poltimore, who was the financial minister to Queen Victoria. It was commissioned from the royal jeweler Garrard in 1870 as a versatile piece of jewelry that could be dismantled into a necklace, earrings, brooches, and more.
In 1959, Princess Margaret acquired the tiara from Sotheby's for £5,500, just before her engagement to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, and she wore it as her wedding jewelry. After the princess's passing, the Poltimore Tiara was sold at a jewelry auction in 2006 to a mysterious female billionaire from China for 13.89 million RMB.
Turquoise and Diamond Tiara
This tiara, featuring laurel leaves, lover's knots, and torch motifs, is adorned with top-quality turquoise, specifically the finest blue turquoise, crafted by the royal jeweler Garrard.
It was one of the wedding gifts commissioned by George VI for his wife in 1900 and included a necklace, a headdress, a pair of earrings, several pendants, a bow brooch, and rings. When Princess Margaret turned 21, these pieces became her gifts and accompanied her to many diplomatic events.
Ruby Pendant Earrings
These earrings are among the more mysterious pieces in the princess's jewelry collection, with their origin unknown. However, from visual references, we know that they have been a part of the princess's jewelry box since her younger days.
Chandelier-style earrings have always been favored by European court ladies for their elaborate design and shimmering movement. Princess Margaret also held a special affection for them and wore them on various significant occasions, such as meeting the First Lady Nancy Reagan. In 2006, the earrings were sold at an auction for £54,000.
Rose Diamond Brooch
Roses have always been an important jewelry motif in the British royal family, whether it's the York white rose or the Lancaster red rose. Therefore, the jewelry boxes of royal ladies always contain rose-themed pieces, not to mention that Princess Margaret's middle name is "Rose."
Her most famous rose jewelry piece is a brooch custom-made by Cartier in 1938. Round-cut diamonds adorn old-cut and step-cut diamonds, giving the budding flower a three-dimensional and poetic quality. In 1953, Princess Margaret wore this rose brooch to Queen Elizabeth II's coronation ceremony, and it has since been seen both as a brooch and as a pendant on a necklace in the public eye. In 2006, the brooch was sold at a Christie's auction for £153,600.
