Tiara refers to a jewelled headpiece that a woman wears for important formal occasions. A tiara usually looks like a small crown and is often worn by royalty or nobility.
The largest collection of tiaras in the world is said to belong to Queen Elizabeth II. She frequently wears a tiara on state occasions or to formal events, and also lends them out to female members of her extended family, particularly when they get married.
The royal families of Sweden, Spain and Denmark also have remarkable tiara collections. Many historic tiaras are now housed in museums and galleries all over the world.
Traditionally, a tiara was reserved for queens, empresses, princesses and other noblewomen. However, the tiara has become a kind of fashion accessory that is often worn by commoners. Socialites and heiresses sometimes wear tiaras to formal events, and many ordinary women also wear tiaras on special occasions like weddings, balls, pageants or galas.
While the tiaras of the monarchy are usually made of gold, platinum, diamonds and precious gemstones, commoners’ tiaras worn as a fashion accessory are typically made of metal, plastic, crystals, rhinestones and semi-precious gems