Thank you for such an informative post, Lucas. I have often wondered about the pearl drops in the earrings worn by the Dutch Royal ladies. Because of the different diamond surmounts and the shape of the pearls, I suspect there are at least 3 separate pear shaped pearl drops - as opposed to a round pearl drop. Does anyone have information? I would appreciate learning more about these pearls, especially if anything is known about their history. --Previous Message-- : Wonderful close-up, thank you Tamara! At first : glance the round pearls seem much like the : ones of the pearl button tiara, but they are : not. See : http://dutchroyaljewels.nl/Pearl_Button_Tiara.htm : . Those pearls were cut 3/4 and the diamonds : surrounding them are set almost heartshape : (1st time I notice that ). The pendants I : compared with the antique pearl tiara and : again, they don't match. : : Personally I find these 'buttons' too big : for HM's ears- : : --Previous Message-- : : : : When I first saw Queen Maxima in the new : pearl (top element) earrings, I didn't pay : much attention..I thought they were faux : jewels...but as I watched her wearing those : earrings, especially yesterday during : Prinsjesdag..I realized that they might be : more interesting than I first believed. : : I was able to get really really good closeup : of the setting and it hit me that those : earrings are 'older' than I first : thought....look at the setting..definitely : silver...it almost makes me wonder if they : use to be buttons...maybe Queen Maxima has : been having fun digging into vaults... : : They are definitely substantial enough to : carry all those beautiful old pearl teardrop : pieces..the setting is old...the : significance of wearing it on such a special : day...all screams to me its something from : Dutch vaults... : : any thoughts? : : : : : : :