The most known jewel of the Portuguese Royal Family is today’s piece: the D.Maria Francisca diamond necklace. In fact this was a favorite piece of D.Maria Francisca and became a favorite jewel of D.Isabel. It is used so often that we almost may speak of a trademark jewel.
As you know this necklace is composed by several diamond circles united by diamond rectangles. Each circle has alternately in the center a square or a round diamond. In both cases the center diamond is united to the circle by two smaller diamonds. The central diamond of the main circle appears to be quite substantial. But better than describing is a proper picture (that was posted in this board some time ago but I don’t remember by whom, sorry):
A popular choice of D.Isabel for the official portraits is to combine D.Luis Diadem, wedding earrings and today’s necklace.
Now what many people may not know is that the necklace had originally a big pendant of diamonds that was used many times by D.Maria Francisca. We can suppose it is a heavy piece because when worn makes the necklace to lower. The origin of both necklace and pendant is unknown to me but for some reason the pendant always remembered me the big Coat of Arms of the Brazilian Imperial Family. For that reason I think this jewel may be an Orleans-Braganza heirloom.