Definition: in antique jewelry, a jeweled hair or hat ornament, originally meant to hold a feather or plume; Indian jewelry had aigrettes worn in turbans dating back the 12th century, and by the late 17th century the style had spread to Europe where, by the mid-1700s, they developed a feather shape, as a stylized representation of a plumed headdress (aigrette is French for egret, a type of heron); equipped with a pin or slide, they were originally made of diamonds, but colored stones became popular later around the turn of the century; faded from fashion for much the 1800s, then returned in the late 19th century, with the advent of Rococo Revival styles and towering hairstyles, and continued popular into the 1920s, worn with headbands; other common motifs are floral shapes, an entire bird, and - in later pieces - more geometric shapes such as crescents or shooting stars
Pronunciation: ay-gret
Example: Aigrettes often had tiny stiff wires or springs that vibrated when the piece moved, further adding to their feathery effect.