I also think that this tiara is a sapphire one, but I think that we might be in the minority in thinking this Ashdean. So many believe that this is her amethyst tiara. How I wish that there was colour photography during this period. Nevertheless, Queen Alexandra was photographed on at least one occasion wearing this tiara when the media descriptions in a number of newspapers said she wore a sapphire tiara. HM definitely had a sapphire tiara - there are too many newspaper references to one to discount them as mistakes.
--Previous Message-- : The picture of Queen Alexandra is of her : wearing her sapphire tiara which also passed : to Maud Southesk and was also sold after her : death. : : --Previous Message-- : A few more pics of Queen Alexandra's : amethysts : : : : Sotheby's - Amethyst and Diamond Necklace, : circa 1900 : : From the lot notes : "The foliate garlands decorated with 5 : hexagonal amethysts set as swing centers : within circular wreaths, alternating with : pear-shaped scrolls, set with 13 old : European-cut diamonds weighing approximately : 8.50 carats, 69 old European-cut diamonds : weighing approximately 10.00 carats and : numerous smaller old-mine and rose-cut : diamonds weighing approximately 5.00 carats, : mounted in silver and gold, length 17 : inches, 4 diamonds missing. Together with a : wood box of octagonal shape stamped on the : lid: The Property of Her Majesty The Late : Queen Alexandra. : : Provenance : Sotheby's London, March 24, 1988, lot 188. A : note following the description states that : the necklace was purchased from Wartski in : 1958 as part of the collection of jewels of : Queen Alexandra. : : Exhibited : Tiaras, The Victoria and Albert Museum, : London, March 21-July 14, 2002. : : Literature : Geoffrey C. Munn, Tiaras: A History of : Splendour, pl. 96, p. 117. The present : necklace, when supported on a frame, may : also be worn as a tiara." : : The necklace being worn by Queen Alexandra's : granddaughter, Princess Maud, Countess of : Southesk. : : : An article from Royal Magazin which includes : info about the many times this piece has : been auctioned (1946, 1958, 1988, & : 2007). It also has some info about Queen : Alexandra's somewhat mysterious amethyst : tiara. Apparently, both the necklace and : tiara were gifts from her brother-in-law, : Tsar Alexander III. : : Royal Magazin - Queen Alexandra's : Amethysts : : : : : :