Explore the British Royal Family's Dazzling Collection

2. The Ruby Tiara Set from Denmark

Donn by: Princess Mary the Crown Been in possession since: 1869 Value Estimate: $100,000–$500,000* The French, Danish, and Swedish royal families have all held the Danish Ruby Set. The Danish Ruby Parure, which Crown Princess Mary has worn, is the focal point of this collection. This ruby and diamond tiara is part of a set that also includes adjustable earrings and studded hairpins.

Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images ©The Danish Ruby Tiara Set This set's narrative starts with Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804. Napoleon paid his generals huge sums of money to purchase their wives jewels so they would look magnificent in the eyes of competing European monarchies because he wanted them to appear wealthy and powerful. The Danish Ruby Set was made in this manner. From then on,  Parure and the rest of the set would end up in Denmark after more than 60 years (and a lot of handshakes).