Princess Gina’s Sapphire Parure

~ Saad719

Today marks the 35th Anniversary of the Death of the late Princess Gina of Liechtenstein, who passed away on this day in 1989! The Austrian Countess who was the beloved Princess Consort of the small Alpine Principality for much of the tumultuous 20th century, we are featuring Princess Gina’s trademark Sapphire Suite!

Habsburg Fringe Tiara | Sapphire Suite | Diamond Earrings | Diamond Choker

Comprising a striking antique Sapphire and Diamond Necklace set with faceted sapphires, a pair of Diamond Chandelier Earrings with a large faceted sapphire, and a large Corsage Brooch set with more faceted sapphires, the Suite is of unknown provenance but may originate from Infanta Maria Theresa, Archduchess Karl Ludwig of Austria, the grandmother of Prince Franz Joseph II.

Princess Gina began wearing the antique Sapphire and Diamond Suite in the 1950s and it soon became one of her trademark jewels, often being worn with the Habsburg Fringe Tiara for portraits and galas.

Over the years, Princess Gina wore her Sapphire and Diamond Suite on numerous occasions, including the Wedding Gala of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sofia of Greece in 1962 and the Wedding of King Constantine of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark in 1964.

In 1967, Princess Gina notably wore her Sapphire and Diamond Suite at the Wedding of her eldest son, Prince Hans-Adam and Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau.

Princess Gina also paired the large Brooch of the Sapphire Suite with the Habsburg Fringe Tiara for the Banquet marking 2,500 years of the Persian Empire in Persepolis in 1971.

Princess Gina continued to wear her Sapphire and Diamond Suite into her later years, with one of the last notable appearances at Prince Franz Joseph’s 80th Birthday in 1986.

After Princess Gina’s death 35 years ago, her Sapphire and Diamond Suite was inherited by her eldest son, Prince Hans Adam, and his wife, Princess Marie, who only wore the Sapphire Suit for a Gala held ahead of the Wedding of her eldest son, Hereditary Prince Alois, and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, at Schloss Vaduz in 1993. Let’s hope this striking jewel makes another appearance soon!

Habsburg Fringe Tiara | Sapphire Suite | Diamond Earrings | Diamond Choker

 

Habsburg Fringe Tiara

Sapphire Suite

Diamond Earrings

Diamond Choker

Habsburg Fringe Tiara

Princess Gina of Liechtenstein, born Countess Georgina von Wilczek, the mother of Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein, passed away on this day in 1989. To mark the occasion, we are taking a look at her Sapphire and Diamond Demi-Parure.

The Diamond and Sapphire Parure, which features a necklace, chandelier earrings, and large brooch set with large cabochon sapphires, has an unclear provenance, but could originate from either the Princely Family of Liechtenstein or could be from Princess Gina’s family, the Counts of Wilczek. What is clear though, is that she wore the Demi-Parure from the time of her wedding to Prince Franz Joseph II in 1943.

After wearing it to the Wedding of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sofia of Greece and the Wedding of King Constantine of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, Princess Gina notably wore the Sapphire Demi-Parure at the wedding of her eldest son, Prince Hans-Adam and Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau, in 1967.

Another notable occasion was in Iran in 1971, when Princess Gina paired the large brooch with the Hapsburg Fringe Tiara for the Banquet marking 2,500 years of the Persian Empire.

Embed from Getty Images

Princess Gina continued to wear her Sapphire Parure even after her husband gave much of his powers to their eldest son, with one of the last notable appearances at Prince Franz Joseph’s 80th Birthday in 1986.

After Princess Gina’s Death, the Sapphire and Diamond Demi-Parure was inherited by her eldest son, Prince Hans Adam, and his wife, Princess Marie, notably wore the Demi-Parure at the Wedding Ball of her eldest son, Hereditary Prince Alois, and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, in Vaduz in 1993. (h/t to Stefan)

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