Stunning Jewels of Infanta Cristina, the Disgraced Duchess of Spain

Royal jewels of a Duchess no more, Infanta Cristina of Spain. Infanta Cristina of Spain is the second daughter of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia, currently stands sixth in the line of succession to the Spanish throne and was the first Spanish royal family member ordered to stand on trial. As a member of the Spanish royal family, she held a prominent role for nearly three decades, often representing the crown at international events. Today she leads a more private and quiet life in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1997, she married former Olympic handball player Iñaki Urdangarin in a lavish ceremony in Barcelona. However, their union proved far from a fairy tale. Following her husband's conviction in a major corruption scandal, Cristina stepped back from public duties and was stripped of her title as Duchess of Parma, a decision that marked a deeply controversial period for the Spanish monarchy. Throughout the years, Cristina amassed an interesting jewellery collection, with some heirloom jewels as well as some modern sweets. Presented to Infanta Cristina of Spain as a wedding gift upon her 1997 marriage to Iñaki Urdangarin, this exceptional ruby and diamond peruer is a striking example of regal elegance and craftsmanship. The suite comprises a necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings, all masterfully crafted by the esteemed jeweller Mawawad. Designed with flowing, stylised scroll motifs, the pieces showcase a sophisticated interplay of calibre cut, baguette and oval cut rubies, with the principal stones, rectangular and oval rubies, weighing a total of 66 carats. These vivid red gemstones are elegantly framed by approximately 62 carats of brilliant cut diamonds, meticulously inlaid to enhance the curvature and fluidity of the design. The arrangement reflects a balance of architectural precision and feminine softness, characteristic of Mawawad's high jewellery creations. Infanta Cristina first debuted parts of the suite in 1998, during the pre-wedding celebrations of Princess Alexandra of Sein-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Count Jefferson von Feil and Cleen Elguth. In 2004, she notably paired the earrings and bracelet with the Spanish floral tiara at the pre-wedding gala for Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark and Mary Donaldson. The complete perua, including the necklace, was last seen in public in 2010, worn at a private birthday celebration for King Philippe of Belgium, held at the greenhouses of the Castle of Licken. In 2021, the ruby and diamond suite made a highlight when it resurfaced at a Sotheby's auction, where it was discreetly sold for approximately $75,537. SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND SUITE This magnificent deep blue sapphire perua consists of a necklace, earrings, a bracelet and a ring. The set is adorned with pavissette sapphires complemented by brilliant and baguette cut diamonds. The earrings and ring are shaped like delicate teardrops, while the necklace and bracelet feature dramatic wave-like forms interlaced with sparkling diamond bars. Believed to have been a wedding gift from her husband upon their marriage in 1997, the perua's design suggests the craftsmanship of Van Cleef and Arpels, bearing notable resemblance to the Maison's signature mystery set technique, first introduced in 1933. Infanta Cristina has worn various elements of the perua on several significant occasions. She first paired the earrings, ring and bracelet with the Spanish floral tiara during state banquets in honour of Mexican President Vicente Fox in 2001 and Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo in 2004. In 2008 she made a striking impression by unveiling the full necklace for the first time during a gala dinner at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, held as part of an official visit to the United States. In 2010 she again wore the earrings and ring at the Sorolla Medal Gala in New York, hosted by the Hispanic Society of America. This marked the final public appearance of the sapphire perua before her involvement in a scandal led to a retreat from royal engagements. Let us hope this exquisite sweet remains in the royal collection and not on the auction block in the years to come. Doña Maria de las Mercedes, Countess of Barcelona, gifted a significant emerald brooch to her granddaughter, Infanta Cristina, reportedly as a wedding present in 1997. This elegant piece is not only a striking jewel but also a treasured royal heirloom with deep historical roots. The emeralds and diamonds in the brooch were repurposed from a much larger corsage ornament, once owned by Queen Amelie of Portugal, which featured diamond-studded leaf motifs framing seven Colombian emeralds, gifts received upon her marriage. After Queen Amelie's death, her personal jewels were divided among her sisters. The youngest, Princess Luise, Infanta of Spain, passed several emerald set pieces, including a bracelet, hairpins and the upper section of the corsage, to her daughter, Princess Esperanza of Orleans and Braganza. For years, the diamond festoons and emerald pendants from the original corsage were believed lost, until they reappeared, repurposed in a brooch worn by Doña Maria de las Mercedes, Queen Amelie's niece. Remarkably, the number and type of gemstones match those from the original corsage, the festoon diamonds, two pendants and three emeralds. The current design features a circular cluster of 18 diamonds and a central emerald, with three drop-shaped emeralds suspended below, one in a more elaborate diamond mount. The brooch is designed for versatility and can be worn with one, two or all three pendants. Infanta Cristina wore the brooch for major occasions, including the wedding of the Prince of Orange and Maxima Zorighieta in 2002 and the wedding gala of the Prince of Asturias and Letizia Ortiz in 2004. Most recently, a version of the brooch reappeared in 2024 at the memorial service for King Constantine II of Greece at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Emerald and diamond earrings The historic emerald brooch is remarkably versatile in design. It can be worn on its own, with one pendant or with two emerald drops attached. Beyond its function as a brooch, two of the emerald drops are often worn separately as earrings, showcasing the jewel's multifunctionality. Doña María de las Mercedes frequently suspended the emerald drops from a pair of long diamond earrings, while Infanta Cristina has paired them with diamond rosette studs. One notable appearance was at the wedding of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark and Mary Donaldson in 2004, where she wore them alongside the Spanish floral tiara. Infanta Eleanor has also made use of the emerald drops as earrings, including during the pre-wedding gala of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Wessling. Ruby and diamond clip brooches This elegant pair of Art Deco clip brooches showcases an openwork design with twisted elements, set with rubies and diamonds. Their geometric symmetry and decorative flair are hallmarks of the period, blending precision with sophistication. Designed for versatility, the brooches can be worn individually or as a matched pair, and may also be mounted onto a rigid yellow gold bracelet, serving as a central decorative element. This convertible style is characteristic of Art Deco jewellery, where adaptability was key to both fashion and function. Originally belonging to Princess Frederick of Hanover, the brooches were gifted to her upon her marriage to Prince Paul of Greece in 1938. She began wearing them shortly after her arrival in Greece, and they became a staple of her jewellery wardrobe during her time as Queen of the Hellenes. Notable appearances include the christening of her son, Crown Prince Constantine, a state visit to the United States in 1953, and the wedding of her daughter, Princess Sophia, to Prince Juan Carlos of Spain in 1962. Following Queen Fredericka's passing, the brooches were inherited by her daughter, Queen Sophia of Spain, who wore them on several occasions, before eventually passing them on to her younger daughter, Infanta Cristina of Spain, as a wedding gift. Doña Cristina has honoured the tradition of versatility, wearing the brooches both as individual clips and mounted on the gold bracelet. She has chosen them for numerous formal occasions, including the state funeral of the Countess of Barcelona in 2000, the wedding of her cousin, Beltran Gómez Azebo, to Laura Ponte in 2004, and most recently, the wedding of her cousin, Princess Theodora of Greece in 2024. Originally created by Salvador Dali in 1949, the Eye of Time brooch is a surrealist jewel designed by the artist and crafted by the jewellers Alamany and Oertmann in New York. Dali gifted the striking three-inch brooch, crafted in platinum and diamonds forming the eyelids, with a gold watch and enamel-covered dial as the eyeball, to his muse and wife, Gala. The original piece is now part of the permanent collection at the Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres. Queen Sophia of Spain, known for her appreciation of unique bijoux, was seen wearing a replica of the Eye of Time brooch on a single public occasion. The piece had been gifted to her daughter, Infanta Cristina, and resurfaced during a Bourbon family gathering held in Figueres, coinciding with an exhibition dedicated to Dali. This marked the brooch's first appearance in many years following its long absence from public view. Once a central figure in the Spanish royal family, Cristina's life was dramatically altered by the scandal surrounding her husband, an event that stripped her off from royal title and duties. Her collection includes historic heirlooms passed down through generations of European royalty. Alongside modern suites, each jewel tells a story of royal tradition, personal milestones and changing fortunes. Let us know in the comments which is your favourite jewel she owns, but before that don't forget to like and subscribe to our channel.