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Ahoy Day Three! the Almost-Adulterous Amethysts of Londonderry.
The story of Siberian Amethysts of Londonderry starts from amorous grandson of Catherine II, Alexander I, who became hopeless smitten with Lady Frances Anne Vane, Marchioness of Londonberry,upon seeing her portrait.In order to catch her eye, the Tsar lavished 14 identical and perfect Siberian Amethysts on the beautiful Frances who took the present but managed to end the love affair 'innocent of guilt'. Ca 1916 her decendants turned the necklace into tiara Now in the V&A museum
Tiara - page 87
The famous amethysts given by Tsar Alexander I to Lady Londonderry in 1821, which were later mounted in diamond-set clusters to form a long stomacher and a tiara. The best Russian amathysts come from Siberian mines, which were then owned by the Tsar. They are said to be the finest in the world because of the red and blue highlights seen in the deep purple body colour of the stones. The stones are here shown against the original design for the tiara by E. Wollf & Co., which is dated Au...
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