The shape of this tiara is based on the traditional Russian headdress called a ‘kokoshnik’, which became popular as a style of tiara in Western Europe in the late nineteenth century.  The perfect matching of the diamonds in each of the 61 bars which form the tiara required tremendous skill by the jewellers, Garrard’s.  The tiara was presented to Queen Alexandra, when Princess of Wales, for her 25th wedding anniversary in 1888 by the ‘Ladies of Society’ (365 peeresses of the United Kingdom).  The tiara can also be worn as a necklace.