I beg forgiveness for allowing Theme Week Amethysts Ahoy! to go off the rails like that but Tuesday was your Blog Hostess’ anniversaire and the blogging just didn’t come together. Indeed, I threw some form of the Marie Antoinette Birthday. Champagne Vilmart Coeur de Cuvée 2003. So yeah, I Marie-Anoinett-ed the shit out of that birthday…as illustrated by my inability to write a post yesterday as well.
the finest examples Siberia has to offer: the Amethysts of Londonderry. (Photo courtesy of the Most Hon. The Marquess of Londonderry and E. Wolfe & Co.)
So today, Thursday, is Amethysts Ahoy day 3 and in honor of such an event let’s take a look at what are considered the most perfect of February’s Rock of the Month: the Siberian amethyst. 
“Siberian amethysts,” as so gracefully described by tiara expert Geoffery C. Munn, “are the considered the finest in the world because of the red and blue highlights seen in the deep purple body of the stones.” See? I could try to rephrase that, but I couldn’t put it any better.
The story behind the Siberian Amethysts of Londonderry is a bit salacious but no there’s no solid scandal in the catalogue. Tsar Alexander I became hopeless smitten with Lady Frances Anne Vane upon seeing her portrait. Lady Vane was the second wife of the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry and, therefore, quite unavailable. In order to catch her eye, the Tsar lavished these 14 identical and perfect Siberian Amethysts on the Marchioness of Londonderry. (See above right.)
Naturally, such unmitigated attention charmed the petticoats off of the Marchioness (how could you resist?) She had them nestled into diamond-set clusters to form a long stomacher. (left) Somehow—this is where both the language and information get a bit vague—the Marchioness “managed to end the love affair ‘innocent of guilt’.” Whatever that means…
These jaw-dropping candies were probably “converted into a tiara (below left) in honor of the succession of the 7th Marquess of Londonderry in 1915,” (Munn, 275). I find this excessively odd considering the original designs for the tiara, made by E. Wolfe & Co. are dated August 1916. (See top left, background.)
These baubles are still in the possession of the Marquess of Londonderry to this day, a decent indicator that there were no hard feelings between the Marquess and the Marchioness over whatever did or did not transpire between Lady Frances and the tsar. Besides, who could give those plumsparklers up?
How do you think these “superior” amethysts compare to those tiaras we discussed on Sunday and Monday’s Queen Mary’s Parure?
references:
Munn, Geoffrey C. Tiaras: A History of Splendour. The Antique Collectors Club, Suffolk, U.K.,
history buff, jewelry whore, chatterbox, mets fan
Who is wearing the stomacher in the picture? The wife of the 7th marquess? It kind of just hangs off her bodice like a man’s tie.
I have to agree the Siberians are the most beautiful.
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No, that’s the wife of the 3rd Marquess…Lady Frances Anne Vane, Marchioness of Londonberry. (The one the Tsar fell in love with and received the stones.)
It’s suspected that the amethysts were made into a tiara for the “coronation” of the 7th Marquess.
I think the Marchioness of Londonderry (Frances) wore the amethysts in “inconspicuous places,” like buttons on her sleeves, the ‘necktie stomacher’ etc…to play down the fact they were a gift from a man who coveted her even though she was married. Kinda like she was making light of such an extravagant gift.
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They are a bit big, makes them look so unreal (especially on the photograph, I think man’s tie describes it quite good). But I love their colour.
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supposedly Siberia is to amethysts as Ceylon is to sapphires. (Ceylons are the finest sapphires, right?)
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My goodness gracious. HELLO magazine pales in comparison with this dishy bit of royal gossip. The amethysts are stunning – no matter how one wears them. I’d wear mine to bed (if I had them). Virginia
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*blushing blushing, blushing!* Thank you, most gracious lady for such a HUGE compliment! Compared to the most popular royal magazine, moi? Wow, just WOW.
I don’t mean to sound opportunist, but, since you like my little blurbs, do tell your friends…well those who would like things about tiaras and historic queens.
Again, thank you, my ego REALLY needed that boost today!
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You’re on girl. Who doesn’t love tiaras!! Virginia
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Well, obviously I’m a fan! 😉 Stay tuned for more! (ps – I also take requests!
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You’ve actually given me a great idea for a post! I’ll give you credit for sparking the idea!
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So yeah, I Marie-Anoinett-ed the shit out of that birthday…as illustrated by my inability to write a post yesterday as well. that is funny!!!!
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Muchísimas Gracias, ma amie! I was having a crummy day so my all-time favorite compliment certainly gave me the boost I needed!
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Sorry about your crummy day…Here to cheer you up! I better do a funny blog post today to help!!! You take care and take one moment at a time as I say when I was dealing with the after math of my stroke…
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I think you’ve already vaulted my mood another few meters…now I kinda feel like a bum for whining when I see what you’ve had to face!
Thank you so much for the caring words.
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Really–do not worry. WE all have things that we go through and it is just putting it all in perspective. Tomorrow will be a better day for you..I declare it right now!!!!! Hang in There.
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