Empress Alexandra Princess Alix of Hesse

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

I came across this old picture and the necklace made me curious about some of her jewelry, so I started looking at more photos. She seemed to wear a lot of pearls, but also beaded stations and chains. I think some of these modern tin cup necklaces would've fit right in during her era.




This actually reminded me of myself and my grandma...I used to play with the pearls around her neck to hear their clacking sound (but never on her Church days):

 

[LVLanghanke]

I really like the layered tin cup look. Clearly, it is timeless!

 

[BWeaves]

Is that a pearl Juliet's cap? It screams yalmulke to me, but I think Juliet's cap is the correct term, although nothing like that was worn in Shakespeare's time.

 

[bluidragon]

Share more old photos. I would love to see mor.

 

[JerseyPearl]

I have a wonderful book by Stefano Papi Jewels of the Romanovs Family & Court Talk about some incredible jewels!

 

[SunSeeker]

Thanks so much for sharing BPDDC. I love viewing the old photos!

 

[Katbran]

Marvellous photos ! I can't believe the tin cup was around so long ago. But it does make sense. Pearls were increasingly rare and chain is always around !

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

Here ya go:

1887

Share more old photos. I would love to see mor.

 

[BWeaves]

It's always eye opening to look at the best of the best of the best natural pearls, and realize that even in a grainy, old photograph, you can tell the pearls are not perfectly round and don't appear to match.

I wonder what they looked like in person?

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

It was great how valued natural pearls were... even in their less perfect perfection. Lucky thing for us because we get to see pearl evolution. The impacts cultured pearls have made on fashion and tastes have been very interesting.

It's always eye opening to look at the best of the best of the best natural pearls, and realize that even in a grainy, old photograph, you can tell the pearls are not perfectly round and don't appear to match.

I wonder what they looked like in person?

 

[86Corvettegirl]

These are such wonderful pictures of a time past when elegance reigned. I love to see pics like this & I love the natural pearls in all their glory. They have so much character/personality & are so different from the round cultured varieties of modern times. I love the old royal tiaras with their sparkling diamonds , gemstones, & their elegant pearls!

 

[JerseyPearl]

BPDDC, that first photo in your recent post shows that royalty and fascinators have a long history as well.

 

[pattye]

Many thanks, BPDDC! Fascinating photos, and pearls worth studying!

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

These are such wonderful pictures of a time past when elegance reigned. I love to see pics like this & I love the natural pearls in all their glory. They have so much character/personality & are so different from the round cultured varieties of modern times. I love the old royal tiaras with their sparkling diamonds , gemstones, & their elegant pearls!

 

[Ash]

Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliette during the 15th century portion of the Italian renaissance. "Juliette caps" looked more like this in the 15th century.

Look at the pearls wrapping around the braid case down the back a and how they are adorning the cap itself. Her belt too!


Sigh.

 

[Floridapearl]

Alix was actually the last Tsarina of Russia (the one who was shot along with her family) and was the daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse, based in Darmstadt, Germany, where I live. There are lots of photos of her on the internet with some fabulous pearl tiaras and more.