The stunning piece – which can also be worn as a necklace – is made of white gold and features 1,200 precious stones, including 883 round-cut diamonds, 11 pear-cut diamonds and 359 round-cut sapphires.
The tiara was designed and created by Van Cleef & Arpels and is composed of circular elements reminiscent of the ocean’s water and foam, in a sweet nod to her swimming background.
Before her royal days, Charlene was a professional swimmer and even represented South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Now diamond experts at UK retailer Steven Stone have estimated Charlene’s lavish gift to be worth £11.8million.
Maxwell Stone, of Steven Stone, said of the stunning piece: “The ocean tiara was designed and created by Van Cleef & Arpels at the request of Prince Albert ahead of his wedding to Princess Charlene. Composed of circular elements reminiscent of the ocean’s water and foam, the opulent piece pays homage to her swimming background.
“Crafted from white gold, the tiara boasts 1200 precious stones – including 883 round cut diamonds, 11 pear cut diamonds and 359 round cut sapphires. The sapphires consist of three different shades, creating a graduated effect that resembles the waves of the ocean. The diadem can be transformed into a sparkling necklace and was gifted to the Princess alongside a pair of earrings.
“Though famously pictured in it during a photoshoot for Hola magazine in 2014, sadly, Princess Charlene isn’t often seen wearing the tiara – though the Princess was wearing it during an Instagram video that she shared in support of a fundraiser in 2021. She also notably wore it at as a necklace to a Gala dinner in 2020, during her visit to Georgia.
“Assigning a value to such an extravagant piece is challenging, but I’d estimate it to be worth a staggering £11.8 million ($15 million).”
