All About Alice's Tiara
When we think of history, we often think of vintage black and white images or dusty volumes of books that share the stories of those who came before us. As unique as our state’s heritage, the Alice in Dairyland tiara gives vibrant color to Wisconsin’s current and historic industries.
Thanks to Goodman’s Jewelers, I travel with a constant reminder of Wisconsin’s diversity. I am proud to share the colorful story of the amethyst and citrine stones that make the Alice in Dairyland tiara complete.
Our state has a rich heritage in mining— hence the miner on our state’s flag and the mascot of many schools in the state. In the 1820s, settlers flocked to Wisconsin because of a strong demand for lead, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society. Wisconsin became the Badger State because few miners wasted time building homes or shelters, instead simply burrowing in holes on hillsides. After the need for lead dropped in the 1840s, zinc became a popular element.
Eventually, mineral collectors began using another popular element for custom jewelry: quartz. Quartz can be found in a variety of colors such as the rich, purple amethyst or golden yellow citrine. In 1984, the Wisconsin Jewelers Association, later known as the Midwest Jewelers Association, decided to embody this history with the Alice in Dairyland tiara. By creating a custom design rather than using a rhinestone crown, the jewelers increased the visibility of the program while sharing the story of agriculture.
The first tiara created specifically for the Alice program was designed by Tony Denardo of Anderson Denardo Jewelers in Marinette. The 14k gold piece was crafted using eight native Wisconsin gems. The top was set with a natural Wisconsin Mississippi freshwater pearl, and the center was a 21-carat amethyst. Pairs of citrines, amethysts, and golden beryl surrounded the main piece. The newly designed tiara created a new tradition for the program. The Midwest Jewelers Association presented the outgoing Alice in Dairyland with an amethyst pendant to commemorate her year as the tiara is passed down to the next woman who embraces the position, a tradition now carried on by Goodman’s Jewelers.
That tiara was lost nearly six years later. Karin Burg from the Corner Studio in Sheboygan Falls re-created the piece, but Burg added her own touch. Instead of the freshwater pearl, she used diamonds to encircle the center scallop. By 1999, Burg modernized the tiara to the design I am proud to wear today. She spent weeks on the project, making each piece by hand.
As some people may have noticed, Alice does not always wear the tiara at events such as school visits, tours, or media interviews. In 2004, the Midwest Jewelers Association agreed to make a brooch for those events. Goodman’s Jewelers of Madison made the brooch as a replica of the tiara and the gemstones native to Wisconsin. You may notice this piece adorning the top of the Alice in Dairyland sash.
The Midwest Jewelers Association disbanded in 2022, but recognizing the importance of the Alice program, Goodman’s Jewelers has since taken over maintenance of both the tiara and brooch.
Although Alice in Dairyland still wears a tiara and brooch, the woman selected for the role is no longer a beauty queen fresh out of high school as she was when the program started with Margaret (McGuire) Blott in 1948. Today, she is a public relations professional with at least three years of experience or education in agriculture, communications or related fields. The Alice program is proud to partner with organizations such as Goodman’s Jewelers to promote the diversity of Wisconsin agriculture, which gives the industry strength.
