Happy 40th Birthday to Princess Raiyah bint Hussein of Jordan, who converted a Gemstone Necklace belonging to her mother, Queen Noor, into a striking Tiara for the Wedding Gala of her nephew, Crown Prince Hussein!
But first let’s learn about Princess Raiyah bint Hussein! The youngest daughter of King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan, Princess Raiyah is the younger half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan. Studying at the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales before she received her undergraduate degree in Japanese at the University of Edinburgh., she then spent a year at Ritsumeikan University in Japan before received a postgraduate degree in Japanese literature from Columbia University. In 2020, Princess Raiyah married Faris Ned Donovan, a grandson of Roald Dahl, at Buckhurst Park in Windsor. Princess Raiyah is currently pursing a PhD in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures from UCLA. We wish her a very Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns!
A magnificent Necklace composed of panels of mother-of-pearl with gemstones includes rubies, citrines and star sapphires set in gold and diamonds on a band of black enamelled gold, the origin of the piece is unknown, but the design does appear to be made by Marina B, founded by Marina Bulgari in 1978.
Queen Noor first appeared wearing the Gold and Gemstone Necklace for a photo-session with her children and stepchildren in 1985, the year before the birth of Princess Raiyah.
A quarter of a century later, Queen Noor wore the Gemstone Necklace when she was awarded the Global Water Price at the Pavillon d’Armenonville in Paris in 2010.
Most recently, Princess Raiyah bint Hussein converted the striking Gemstone Necklace into a Tiara for the Wedding Gala of her nephew, Crown Prince Hussein at the Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman in 2023. Lets hope we see this striking jewel worn again soon!
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