Parure

Members of court and higher social ranks vied for the best jewelers to create the most imaginative and elaborate collections that would increase their status.

Some necklaces could be worn intact or temporarily disassembled into bracelets, pendants, hair ornaments or brooches with interchangeable components and locking systems.

A famous example was created for Mademoiselle d'Aubigné's wedding, which included: earrings, two pendants, loops and clasps for the sleeves, 32 buttons, and a large bowknot.

[citation needed] There is a tendency for paste parures from the period to survive to the present,[4] as the low value of the component parts made them less likely to be broken up for reuse.

[4] Napoleon Bonaparte was fond of lavishing these gem suites on his first wife, Joséphine, to wear at state functions.