Marjorie Merriweather Post Most Famous Jewellery Spectacular Collection.

Approximately a century ago, at the age of 27, Marjorie Meriwether Post ascended to become the wealthiest woman in the United States. Renowned for her impeccable taste, she was celebrated for her art collections, unparalleled style, lavish jewels, and legendary entertaining skills. Meriwether Post spared no expense when it came to acquiring jewellery, amassing a collection of over 200 exquisite pieces throughout her lifetime, many with royal provenance. So, let's explore the most famous jewellery of Marjorie Meriwether Post. Before we start, please support my channel by clicking like and subscribe buttons, and if you wish to support me financially, you can do it via the Super Thanks button on YouTube, or become my patron on Patreon. Link is in the description. Post Emerald Necklace Crafted with the meticulous artistry of Cartier in 1929, this Art Deco Indian-style necklace stands as a testament to innovation. A symphony of 24 baroque-cut emerald drops, gracefully ensconced in platinum, each crowned by a smaller emerald bead, dances amidst pave-set diamond links, culminating in an elaborate clasp that whispers of grandeur. The verdant emeralds were sourced from the storied mines of Colombia. Cartier's visionary fusion of Indian influences and precious gemstones during the Art Deco era marked a zenith of creativity where tradition met avant-garde innovation. Emeralds, sapphires, and rubies ascended to the zenith of popularity during that era. This resplendent masterpiece, once graced by the illustrious Marjorie Meriwether Post, heiress to the Post's serial fortune, and a luminary collector of French art, now finds its place of honour within the hallowed halls of the National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian. Napoleon Gifts Marjorie possessed a few remarkable jewellery pieces, among them those gifted by Napoleon to his second wife, Empress Marie Louise. The Napoleon Diamond Necklace, commissioned in 1811, and crafted by the skilled hands of Hégien Neto and Sons, stands as a testament to Napoleon's affection. Presented on the occasion of the birth of his son, Napoleon II, this exquisite necklace features a sophisticated blend of silver and gold, embellished with a total of 234 dazzling diamonds, weighing an estimated total of 263 carats. As for the diadem, it served as a wedding gift to Empress Marie Louise to commemorate their union. Originally commissioned in 1810 with emeralds adorning its design, the diadem underwent a significant transformation in 1953. Acquired by the esteemed jewellery house Van Cleef and Arpels, the emeralds were removed from the diadem and sold individually, a decision some may find questionable. Instead, turquoise was introduced as a replacement, altering the diadem's original aesthetic. Marjorie Meriwether Post generously demoted both the necklace and the diadem to the Smithsonian Institution, with the necklace gifted in 1962 and the diadem in 1971, ensuring their preservation for generations to come. At the youthful age of 27, Marjorie Meriwether Post inherited her father's immense wealth and the Postham Cereal Company. Amidst her extravagant social pursuits, Miss Post garnered fame as a collector and connoisseur of precious stones and jewellery. With a profound admiration for European sophistication, she held Cartier in the highest regard, deeming it the epitome of French elegance. Consequently, Cartier crafted numerous bespoke pieces exclusively for her. Crafted in 1937, the platinum, diamond and sapphire necklace serves as a magnificent testament to Cartier's adaptability and Marjorie Post's discerning taste. Personally overseeing its creation, she instructed Cartier to merge two existing diamond and sapphire bracelets into this opulent necklace. Its centrepiece, adored with a large cushion-shaped sapphire encircled by cascading diamonds, can be detached and worn as a striking brooch independently. Marie Antoinette Diamond Earrings As mentioned earlier, Marjorie had a penchant for collecting French art and jewellery, which led her to possess not only treasures associated with Napoleon, but also jewellery once owned by the famed Marie Antoinette. Among these treasures, a pair of exquisite diamond drop earrings take centre stage, initially presented by Louis XVI as a lavish gift to Marie Antoinette. These resplendent earrings boast pear-shaped diamonds with a combined weight of approximately 34.6 carats. Their journey after Marie Antoinette's tragic fate during the tumultuous French Revolution adds an intriguing layer to their history, as legend has it that they eventually came into the possession of Empress Eugénie through Napoleon III. Following Marjorie's acquisition of these earrings, she generously donated them to the Smithsonian Institution. Today, housed in the National Museum of Natural History, they continue to captivate all who behold their radiant beauty. The Romanov Nuptial Crown The grand nuptial crown worn by Romanov imperial brides was made in 1840 using diamonds taken from There are 320 larger diamonds weighing 182 carats total, and 1,200 smaller diamonds totalling 80 carats. The stones are attached to a frame covered in pink velvet, with flaps at the base that allow it to be pinned in the bride's hair. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, each Romanov bride wore the crown for her wedding ceremony. At some point after the Revolution, the crown was acquired by Marjorie Meriwether Post. It remains part of the collection at Hillwood in Washington, D.C. Blue Heart Diamond The Blue Heart Diamond, discovered in 1908 at the Premier Mines, South Africa, is a 30.62 carat heart-shaped blue diamond. Faceted by a tannic acnaeon, in 1910, from a 100.5 carat rough piece, it was purchased by Pierre Cartier and set into a Lily of the Valley necklace sold to the Unzu family of Argentina. In 1953, Van Cleef and Arpels acquired it and later sold it to Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza. Harry Winston bought it in 1959, resetting it into a platinum ring surrounded by 25 diamonds. Marjorie Meriwether Post, who was the last private owner of this piece, then gifted it to the National Gem Collection in 1964. Despite being two-thirds the size of the Hope Diamond, its heart-shaped cut and vivid blue colour make it a cherished gem. Emerald and Diamond Pendant Brooch One of the standout treasures in Marjorie Meriwether Post's extensive collection is an Emerald and Diamond Pendant Brooch crafted by Cartier in the 1920s. Remarkably, this stunning piece was a stock item in the Cartier showroom when Post acquired it. Adorned with over 250 carats of intricately carved Indian emeralds from the Mughal period, including a large emerald bearing a 17th-century Mughal motif of a flower with a Persian inscription, the brooch is a true marvel of craftsmanship. Cartier's pioneering use of platinum in jewellery allowed for minimal metal visibility, showcasing the exquisite calibre cut stones and smaller fluted hanging emeralds with exceptional clarity. Post occasionally paired this brooch with a similarly styled carved emerald necklace that has been already showcased today. That's it for today, thanks for watching. Please do not forget to support my channel by clicking the like and subscribe buttons.