Tota pulchra et pretiosa

Spanish tiara

Tiara Isabel II

The tiara presented to Holy Father Pius IX by the queen of Spain, Isabel II, in 1854. It is topped by a spherical azure sapphire with a cross decorated with diamonds on the top. There is no consensus in terms of the number of gems which were used to decorate the tiara. According to the Spanish sources the estimated amount is, as follows: 6800 brilliants which weigh 660 carats, 160 emeralds and rubies, and 96 pearls.

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