Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-23
LONDON SOCIETY.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
LONDON. April 22.-Mrs. Waldorf Astor
| will have the most extraordinary tiara in
the world, with the famous and historic
Sancy diamond revolving in the center
of the headdress.
This unique and dazzling effect is to be
gained by an intricate device invented by
a clever Bond street jeweler. and the
marvellous diadem Is now in the design
ers hand. William Waldorf Aston, own
err of the sancy diamond. lends the jewel
to his daughter-in-law, who will wear 1t
In public for the first time since Mr..
Astor's acquisition of the gem In the
eighties.
The resign of the diadem is Russian
| and is described by the designer as q
| fender effect like the Russ an national
headdress. The Sancy diamond is
"briolette." that is, cut equally on all
sides, which condition bewildered the
modern jewelers., who have been unable
hitherto to set the stone safely.
The present designer will suspend the
Sancy stone in the diadem's middle, with
network of invisible platinum threads
attached to a sensitive pivot, causing con-
slant revolutions with each movement OF
the vivaciouS Wearer.
The American representative has learn
ed the authentic history Of the gem. The
Sancy diamond figured in three epochs.
has caused revolutions and has been worn
by dozen sovereigns. De Sancy, a
Frenchman, sold the gem to Queen Eliz-
abeth. who wore the stone in London, as
did James 1 and the Duke Of Bucking-
ham. Henriette Marie. wife Of Charles
!, brought the Sancy to Paris after her
husbands execution. 1t became part Of
the French crowns jewels and was worn
by three Louis and by Marie Antoinette.
1t was appraised at a million francs by
Nnyn$
stolen and reappeared among the Spanish
crown jewels in the middle Of the nine
teenth century. After the revolution OF
Isabella II 1t passed to the Maharajah Of
Patiala, was exhibited in 1857 in Paris
and was bought by Mr.. Aston shortly be-
fore his wife's death.
Mrs. Aston Takes to "Coddnng."
Waldorf Astor, member of parliament
for Plymouth, has taken a house, No.
Eliot terrace, on the famous Hoe" in
that naval port, and Mrs. Aston has al
ready begun to play the game known as
"coddling' her husbands constituencies.
She was at Plymouth this week, and in
addition to looking after her new home,
which will be exquisitely decorated and
furnished, found plenty of time to run
around everywhere, to bazaars. teas. girls
clubs, Primrose League meetings, dances,
etc.
She is admitted to be a model for what
an NJ P.'s wife should be-charming in
appearance, intellectual. always beauti-
fully dressed, without being over elabo-
rated. The Plymouth women, among
whom are many wives of naval and
military men. instead of tearing her to
pieces, which is the usual practice Of the
service ciroses, all agree that she Is "sim-
ply dear" The mayor of Plymouth de-
scribed her recently as 1.-The most popular
lady In town."
Lord and Lady Decies have gone to
Ireland as the guests of the Marquis and
Marchionness of Waterford at Curragh-
more, where there is family party to
welcome the American bride. Lord Wat
erford is a cousin Of Lord Decies and
the marchionness Is q daughter Of the
Marquis of Lansdowne and sister of the
powerful Duchess Of Devonshire. Eng
lish society is interested tremendously in
the young Gould heiress and great popu-
larity is predicted for her.