Many of us haven’t paused to consider the differences between crowns and tiaras. But if you look to history for an answer, you’ll see that both kings and queens have worn crowns.
As far as traditions go, brides and married women are typically the only people wearing tiaras. And while real tiaras may be uncommon, brides-to-be at bachelorette parties and little girls at birthday parties alike can often be seen wearing them.
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But if you’ve ever wondered about what really sets crown and tiaras apart, here’s all you need to know.
Tiara vs crown (vs diadem)
If you just need a brief rundown on the differences between crowns and tiaras, here are the key differences:
- Shape: Crowns are circular while tiaras are semicircular.
- Identity: Traditionally, both kings and queens wear crowns and only female members of royal families wear tiaras. Nowadays, eveyone can wear a tiara, like brides, married women, beauty pageant winners and unmarried princesses occasionally.
- Size: Crowns are usually taller and bulkier.
- Decorations: Crowns are usually more ostentatious. Many include a variety of precious gems.
- Classification: A tiara is a type of crown, but a crown is not a type of tiara.
You may have heard of the diadem, another headpiece historically worn by royalty. The diadem isn’t really a crown or a tiara; it’s closer to being a headband.
That doesn’t necessarily mean diadems are plain, though — many of them have historically been made from gold and inlaid with precious stones.
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What is a tiara?
Throughout history, female members of royal families have worn tiaras. They have long been a symbol of royalty.
The design fell out of favor (along with the diadem) after the collapse of the Roman Empire. But Napoleon and his wife Joséphine de Beauharnais played a critical role in re-popularizing them.
Now, royal families across the globe keep and wear tiaras. The British, Dutch, Iranian, Swedish, Danish, and Spanish royal families each have a sizable collection.
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Several very famous tiaras are known by name around the world. The Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara contains several emeralds and rose-cut diamonds. Most recently, Princess Eugenie wore it on her wedding day in 2018.
The Cartier Halo tiara is one of the more famous tiaras in recent history, too. It was a gift from George VI to Queen Mary. Queen Mary handed it down to Elizabeth II. Elizabeth’s daughter Princess Anne wore it often. And most recently, the Duchess of Cambridge chose to wear it on her wedding day. The Cartier Halo contains nearly 1,000 diamonds!
While we normally associate queens with crowns, queens can wear tiaras, too. For example, Queen Elizabeth II of England has a large collection of tiaras that she has either purchased or inherited. She often wears them at very formal events.
That isn’t to say that regular people can’t wear tiaras. They are frequently used to crown beauty pageant winners and are worn by brides. And if you have the money to spend, high-end jewelers offer tiaras inlaid with diamonds and other precious stones.
Tiara meaning
What does tiara mean? Traditionally, a tiara was meant to symbolize the loss of innocence to the crowning of love. That’s why throughout history (and even today), tiaras are very commonly worn by women on their wedding days.
Of course, the tiara’s similarity to a more traditional crown is not accidental. A tiara is also a symbol of honor, victory and importance. A beauty pageant winner or a bride often isn’t a monarch, but wearing a tiara indicates that for now, she’s the focus of the room.
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What is a crown?
Crowns have been used to designate royalty since prehistoric times; both kings and queens have worn crowns.
The oldest discovered crowns have been found in India. However, while crowns are still used as symbols, the British and Tongan monarchs are the only rulers who continue to actually wear crowns.
The most famous crown is probably the Imperial State Crown of the U.K. The crown was first made in the 1930s, although more features were added over time. It holds almost 3,000 unique gemstones and is made from gold, silver, and platinum. The cap portion is made of purple velvet and lined with ermine.
One of the most beautiful famous crowns is also one of the oldest. The Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire was created in the 10th century. This crown is octagonal and made of gold. It is set with round, polished precious stones. It has a single arch extending from front to back.
Many of us picture crowns as being round and gold. Many crowns are, but there are a few different types of royal crowns.
Types of royal crowns
Many crowns (including the Imperial State Crown) have arches. Those arches don’t just look nice; they symbolize sovereignty. These types of crowns are only worn by kings, queens, and other supreme rulers.
Other members of a royal court may wear smaller crowns without arches. These are usually metal circles with upward-reaching points, and they are more correctly called “coronets.” They usually are used to designate some importance without causing the wearer to be confused with the actual monarch.
The corona radiata (or “radiant crown”) is the type seen on the Statue of Liberty. It was worn by Roman emperors at one point, although it isn’t as common as some other crown types.
Do queens wear crowns?
If you look to history for an answer, you’ll see that both kings and queens have worn crowns.
What is a diadem?
We mentioned earlier that diadems are close to being royal headbands. But many diadems through history have been as ornate as any crown or tiara.
In ancient Egypt, they were often made of gold with intricate embellishments. One beautiful example is the diadem of Sithathoriunet, the daughter of an Egyptian king. Her diadem was made primarily of gold with delicate, flower-like accents.
In the Hellenistic period, though, diadems worn by kings were usually just white ribbons. King Diodotus of Bactria has been portrayed wearing a ribbon diadem.
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Where to buy a tiara?
If you want to buy a tiara ranging from $20-$500, you can check Etsy. You can buy a plastic tiara, a bridal tiara, a princess tiara or a birthday tiara that are affordable and of high quality and have them delivered to your house fast.
Alternatively, if you want to buy a high end tiara like a diamond tiara, a silver tiara or a pearl tiara ranging from $300-$5000, you can check Farfetch.
They have luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, Boucheron, Cartier, Chopard, David Morris, De Beers and designer brands that are unique and less well-known. You can have all the products delivered to your home.
How to wear a tiara?
Though tiaras have long been a symbol of royalty, the good news is that anyone can wear one! There aren’t any set rules, but here are some guidelines to make any occasion a success:
Step 1: When you first place the tiara on your head, see where it rests naturally. Often, that means that the tiara will lean slightly forward. This is a good thing; you want to make sure the jeweled, front-facing portion is noticeable!
Step 2: Once you’ve adjusted the arms of the tiara and styled your hair, you’ll need to make sure the tiara stays in place. Make sure your hair covers the arms. This is easy with an updo, as you can tuck the arms into the pulled-back part of your hair. If your hair is down, make sure there’s enough hair covering the tiara arms.
Step 3: Of course, you don’t want the tiara to slip once you’ve carefully placed it. You may find that using bobby pins to pin the arms of the tiara works well. Elastic thread is more time-consuming, but it can really make a difference! You can tie one end of the thread to one arm of the tiara, thread it under your hair, and attach it to the other side. This makes it a little more like a full crown!
Step 4: Lastly, combs can be a great way to secure your tiara. Some people opt to glue or sew small combs to the bottom of a tiara. When the teeth of the combs sink into your hair, they can do a surprisingly good job of keeping the tiara in place!
Here are also some extra tips:
- Choose the right outfit. Since tiaras are best suited to formal styles, make sure you have an elegant dress to go with it.
- Style your hair first. In particular, make sure you don’t apply hairspray after you’ve put on the tiara!
- Make sure it’s comfortable. You may need to bend the arms of the tiara a little to make sure it doesn’t slip. But don’t bend them too much; a too-tight tiara is an easy recipe for a headache!
- Make sure it’s secure. If you go a day without washing your hair, it will help the tiara stay in place. If needed, use bobby pins to hold it more securely.
Tiara hairstyles
Want to look your best in a tiara but aren’t sure exactly how? Here are four great hairstyles to try:
Long curls
This classic, beautiful look is a great way to show off your natural curls or waves. Your tiara will rest among your curls for a flowy, almost bohemian look. To ensure success, make sure to use bobby pins to hold it in place, though!
The updo
Sleek hairstyles are often associated with formal events, so it’s only natural that having your hair done up is a great option to go with a tiara.
You can choose to wear the tiara closer to your forehead in a more traditional manner, or you can opt to have the tiara curve around the updo like the model in the picture.
Generally speaking, hairstyles like this do the best job of holding a tiara in place, so that’s always a plus!
The low bun
If you want a slightly more casual look, go with a low bun! If you wish, you can pull some loose waves down around your tiara or keep everything sleek. For a unique aesthetic, you can even choose a braided bun like the model in the picture.
Partial up, partial down
Can’t decide whether to go with an updo or wear your hair down? This style gives you the best of both worlds. Having part of your hair done up will keep the tiara securely in place, but you still get the luxurious look of flowing locks.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re just curious about tiaras or are getting ready to wear your own, we hope you have a better idea of the beauty and history of this unique piece of jewelry! When you want an outfit to be truly special, topping it off with a tiara is a great way to go.
