This week marks the 60th birthday of Infanta Cristina of Spain, the second child of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía. Known for her discreet style, the Infanta has rarely been seen wearing big jewellery in public. Despite that Doña Cristina retains in her private collection some contemporary pieces and family heirlooms — including a pair of Ruby and Diamond Clip Brooches which we are featuring today!
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This pair of clip brooches is designed in the Art Deco style, featuring an openwork structure with twisted elements. They are set with rubies and diamonds, combining geometric precision with decorative detailing typical of the period. The brooches were made to be worn either individually or as a pair, offering flexibility in how they are styled. They can also be mounted onto a rigid yellow gold bracelet as a central decorative element. This convertible design is a common feature in Art Deco jewellery, intended to enhance the versatility of a piece by allowing it to be worn in different ways depending on the occasion.
This pair of brooches originally belonged to Princess Frederica of Hannover, who began wearing them shortly after her arrival in Greece following her marriage to Prince Paul, the Diadochos and heir to the throne, in 1938. It is likely that the brooches were given to the young princess as a wedding gift or to commemorate a special occasion, as their design aligns with the typical styles of that period. This was not the only pair of clip brooches in her collection; The future Queen of Greece also owned and wore another pair of Art Deco Brooches shaped like arrows, which were styled in a similar manner—either separately or together or fixed on a rigid gold bracelet.
The Princess, who would later become Queen of the Hellenes, wore the brooches frequently. She used them to adorn headdresses, necklines, and coats. Notable appearances include the Christening of her only son, Prince Constantine, in 1940; a State Visit to the United States in 1953; and the Wedding of her eldest daughter, Princess Sofia, to Prince Juan Carlos of Spain in 1962.
After her death, these ruby and diamond brooches were inherited by her daughter, Queen Sofía of Spain, who has also worn them on various occasions—either mounted on the gold rigid bracelet or as individual clips.
In recent years, this pair of ruby and diamond brooches has been worn by Infanta Cristina of Spain, indicating that they were likely passed on to her by her mother, Queen Sofía, possibly as a gift around the time of her marriage in 1997. The Infanta has continued using the brooches both as an individual clip and mounted on the yellow gold bracelet, demonstrating their intended versatility. Doña Cristina has worn them on a number of formal occasions, including the State Funeral of her grandmother, the Countess of Barcelona, in 2000; the Wedding of her cousin Beltrán Gómez-Acebo to Laura Ponte, in 2004; and the Wedding of her cousin Princess Theodora of Greece, in 2024. There is no doubt we will continue to see the Ruby and Diamond Art Deco Clips for years to come.
This article was written by assistant editor, David Rato, who runs the Spanish Royal Jewels account on Instagram!
Floral Tiara | Mellerio Shell Tiara | Cartier Pearl Tiara | Prussian Diamond Tiara | Queen Victoria Eugenie’s Diamond Earrings | Ruby Clip Brooches | Sapphire Suite
