I had better do some more research because I have a sneaking recollection that it started as an enclosed circlet. Perhaps small pieces were removed.
--Previous Message-- : --Previous Message-- : : Actually, I must research that reference to : over 100 opals. Here is the Garrard ledger : page. 17 opals !! : : Which I find in a way even more surprising! : There are 11 rubies today replacing 11 : opals, right? I fail to see where the design : of the tiara would have allowed to set the : remaining 6 opals: 11 arches, 10 tridents, : 21 leaves above the base, 5 diamonds : surrounding each central opal / ruby... :