Queen Sofia’s Diamond Foliage Necklace

Happy Birthday to Queen Sofia of Spain, who celebrates her 87th birthday today! Hailing from an extraordinary lineage that unites most of Europe’s royal dynasties, Queen Sofia became the first Queen Consort of Spain’s restored monarchy and remains one of the most admired members of the Royal Family. Her jewelry collection is both rich in historic family heirlooms and contemporary treasures, including the Diamond Foliage Necklace, which we’re featuring today!

Composed of a sequence of drop- and baguette-cut diamonds set in platinum, the necklace features delicate leaf motifs attached to a sinuous stem. Its undulating pattern is enhanced by articulated links that provide flexibility and fluid movement around the neckline. It may be part of a parure, consisting of a bracelet, a wristwatch, and a ring, all mounted in platinum and set with diamonds.

It is highly probable that Queen Sofía received this suite during the Spanish State Visit to Saudi Arabia in 1977. During their stay, the newly proclaimed Spanish royal couple were lavishly honoured with numerous gifts, including several pieces of jewellery.

Doña Sofía first wore the Diamond Foliage Necklace later that year for a banquet at Ajuda Palace in Lisbon, during the first Spanish State Visit to Portugal.

In 1978, the Queen paired her Wedding Earrings and Bow Brooch with the Diamond Foliage Necklace for a banquet in honour of King Baudoin and Queen Fabiola during their State Vist to Spain.

It was not until 1983 that Doña Sofía started wearing tiaras for all the State Banquets held at the Royal Palace of Madrid, and in 1979, the Queen continued to wear the Diamond Necklace during state visits abroad, including on a tour of several African countries.

In 1980, the Diamond Foliage Necklace, together with the matching bracelet and watch, were paired with the splendid Mellerio Shell Tiara during the Spanish State Visit to Denmark.

One year later, Queen Sofia wore the diamond necklace during a State Visit to India, where she was able to reunite with her sister, Princess Irene of Greece.

During the Spanish sovereigns’ State Visit to Norway in 1982, the Queen complemented her ensemble with the Foliage Necklace and her Diamond Floral Tiara for the return banquet – the second of three tiara evenings.

Afterwards, throughout the 1980s, the Queen gradually stopped wearing this necklace, preferring other pieces from her collection such as the Diamond Rivière or the Baguette Diamond Necklace. However, Her Majesty continued to wear the other elements of the suite, particularly the watch and the bracelet. It has been many years since we last saw this necklace — let’s hope it makes a reappearance soon!

Spanish Fleur-de-Lys Tiara

Prussian Diamond Tiara

Spanish Floral Tiara