Are tiaras making a comeback?
It's the moment fashion observers have waited months for. Shortly before 9pm, Australian time, on May 19, the world will finally learn which designer and style of dress Meghan Markle has chosen for her wedding to Prince Harry.
While acres of copy will be devoted to The Dress (or dresses, given speculation Markle will wear different gowns to the ceremony and reception), many eyes will be fixed on what the royal bride will have on her head.
Most likely the tiara, and there's a good chance there will be one, will come from the Queen's own collection.
What is clear, though, is that it will not be the same Cartier Halo worn by Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge, at her wedding in 2011 to Prince William.
For one thing, Markle will want to wear something else; for another, the piece is now on loan to the National Gallery of Australia for its Cartier exhibition.
Possibilities include the Cambridge Lover's Knot, the Cartier Lotus Leaf or the Greville Meander. There also remains the possibility that a new piece will be crafted for Markle.
Either way, the imminent nuptials have boosted interest in tiaras, even in Australia, where luxury jewellery brand and tiara specialist Chaumet is the newest entrant to the market.
The French house, which dates back to emperor Napoleon I, launched its first Australian store in Sydney this week. The boutique houses pieces including a $6.5 million necklace called La Nature de Chaumet, as well as tiaras ranging in value from $4 million to $145,000.
Chaumet tiaras have been worn by royalty and celebrities including Princess Diana, Queen Victoria and Kate Moss, while fans of its jewellery include actresses Elizabeth Debicki and Angelina Jolie.
Chief exectuive Jean-Marc Mansvelt said the 240-year-old company's tiara tradition dates back to Empress Josephine, the first wife of Napoleon I.
"Tiaras are often passed on from one generation to the next, which not only provides history but also relevance. In some cases, parents will buy or have a custom-made tiara created for their daughters’ weddings, which will then be passed onto the next generations," he said.
Mr Mansvelt said the company chose Australia for its latest expansion because of its "relationships with the arts and its incredibly [culturally] rich nature".
“There is a deep level of appreciation that Australians have with precious stones and our history. Australia is an educated market, where gifting jewellery for monumental occasions often occurs."
According to business analysts IBISWorld, the fine jewellery market in Australia is worth $3.3 billion annually, about half of which comprises sales of fine jewellery and gemstones.
Senior analyst Kim Do said growing consumer sentiment is expected to drive up sales in the sector. She said the legalisation of same-sex marriage was also a driver of fine jewellery sales, especially rings.
"Tourism is driving the majority of the [highest] end of jewellery sales ... About 30 per cent of total spend in luxury retail is from Chinese tourists alone," she said.
Ms Do said global brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci have also expanded their fine jewellery ranges in response to growing demand, although this has increased competition for local businesses.