When Jewels Outshone the Stars: 10 Most Iconic Jewelry Moments in Hollywood’s History

(Photo courtesy of Vogue)

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Jewelry has enjoyed plenty of big-screen moments long before streaming and cable became a thing. From Marilyn Monroe’s flashy diamonds to Nicole Kidman’s eye-popping $2.5 million necklace and Elizabeth Taylor’s ultra-glam golden adornments — these are the top 10 most iconic jewelry moments in film history where the sparkle might have outshone the stars themselves!

Carmen Miranda's Necklaces in Week-End in Havana (1941)

(Photo courtesy of Harper's BAZAAR)

Carmen Miranda normalized being extra back in the 1940s. With a lively spirit that lit up every stage she set foot on, Miranda danced her way to success and transformed into a cultural icon during her heyday. Her tremendous popularity in the United States was marked by significant theater roles, film parts, and nightclub performances. Remarkably, she reached the pinnacle of her Hollywood career as the highest-paid female performer in the United States.

The legendary entertainer ensured her legacy would endure through the decades with her history-making Week-End in Havana look, but the real showstopper was her beautifully layered, colorful necklaces — a perfect example of why sometimes “more is definitely more!”

Marilyn Monroe's Diamond Jewelry in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

(Photo courtesy of Something About Rocks)

Few people don't know Marilyn Monroe. The legendary star, born in Los Angeles as Norma Jeane Mortenson and later known as Norma Jean Baker, charmed the people of her era with her iconic feminine attitude and infectious smile. 

The blonde sweetheart remains an enduring symbol of glamor until today, evident in her memorable role in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which remains as far-famed as it was in the 1950s. Monroe’s standout performance, "Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend," showcased not only her multifaceted talents but also the legendary diamond jewels she flaunted in true, iconic Marilyn fashion.

Rose’s Necklace in Titanic (1997)

(Photo courtesy of Vogue)

Although the Titanic tragically sank, the memory of Rose's magnificent sapphire necklace remains afloat. In the forever iconic Tiatinc, Rose’s heart-shaped gem — surrounded by diamonds and dangling from a luxurious chain — starts off as a tool of control by her fiancé, Cal. 

However, it becomes tied to Jack during the “Draw me like one of your French girls” scene, where Rose famously wears nothing but the necklace and symbolically links it to their love (for now, try to hold back the tears over Jack’s tragic drowning!).

Nicole Kidman’s Diamond Necklace in Moulin Rouge! (2001)

(Photo courtesy of Vogue)

Truly a spectacle, the “Satine” diamond necklace Nicole Kidman flaunted in Moulin Rouge! was a real treasure in cinema's history. Created by the talented Sydney jeweler Stefano Canturi, this $2.5 million masterpiece is composed of 1,308 diamonds set in white gold, crowned with a Sri Lankan blue sapphire clasp.

During filming, a crystal “stunt double” replica of the necklace was created for the risky scene where Kidman’s “Satine” dramatically has it ripped off her neck. The genuine diamond necklace, however, needed a literal security team for protection. “The problem is, if you bring something of real value on set, you need two security guards standing by at all times,” director Baz Luhrmann explains to Vulture.

Mary Pickford's Pearls in Secrets (1933)

(Photo courtesy of Harper's BAZAAR)

Mary Pickford knew less is more before it was a trend. A talented performer, creative producer, and savvy businesswoman, Pickford shaped the burgeoning film industry without a precedent to guide her. Having established herself as one of the all-time great actresses, she won an Academy Award for her first "talkie," Coquette, and received an honorary Oscar in 1976 for her contributions to motion pictures.

Frank Borzage’s Secrets marked the final film appearance of Pickford, but before stepping away from the silver screen, she left us with a spectacular piece of jewelry to forever admire. Revel in her understated yet stunning look in Secrets, where she elegantly sports a long strand of pearls that perfectly captures the spirit of the era.

Grace Kelly's Cartier Engagement Ring in High Society (1956)

(Photo courtesy of Vogue)

More than just a lavish gift, the Cartier diamond ring presented to Grace Kelly by Prince Rainier III of Monaco is remembered as one of the most iconic jewels in Hollywood's history. The centerpiece — a jaw-dropping 10.48-carat emerald-cut diamond — has made its mark on countless engagement ring designs over the years, inspiring notable versions worn by Beyoncé, Anne Hathaway, Amal Clooney, and Elizabeth Taylor.

Kelly, a romantic princess at heart, became a Hollywood luminary by age 22. Within five years, the demure blonde found her Prince Charming in dreamy circumstances that seemed to fulfill every fairytale fantasy — at least on the surface.

Her encounter with the Prince occurred during a photoshoot at the Palace of Monaco while she was in the South of France. The months that followed were filled with extensive correspondence between the love birds. And here’s the detail that would make you giggle like a little girl: the Prince traveled across the Atlantic just to propose to Kelly at her family home in Philadelphia during Christmas. 

In a tribute to Monaco's flag, Prince Rainier presented his sweetheart with an eternity band-style ring featuring a sequence of lavish rubies and diamonds. Reports suggest that this elegant piece was designed by Cartier.

The ring initially given was just a placeholder for the actual engagement ring. Concurrently, the soon-to-be-wife started filming Charles Walters’s High Society, marking her final film role before leaving her acting career for marriage — the perfect romantic farewell to her legendary Hollywood era.

Audrey Hepburn's Necklace in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

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Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel and Audrey Hepburn are credited with turning pearls into a timeless fashion staple. In the memorable opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golightly is seen gracefully exiting her taxi in the early morning and drifting towards the Tiffany & Co. store windows in New York. 

Hepburn’s sleek black dress, a creation of the renowned French designer Hubert de Givenchy, was tailored specifically for her slender figure. The satin gloves reaching her elbows and the classic Oliver Goldsmith tortoiseshell sunglasses set the stage, but the real showstopper is the exquisite ropes of pearls that brilliantly contrast with her satin dress. 

The free-spirited, spontaneous Holly could only be matched with something as stunning as the layered pearl necklace from Roger Scemama, a famed French jewelry designer known for collaborating with big names like Dior, Givenchy, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Gloria Swanson’s Diamond Bracelets in Sunset Boulevard (1950)

(Photo courtesy of Popverse)

Gloria Swanson made heads turn in the iconic Sunset Boulevard. Her role as Norma Desmond showcased a mix of tragedy and old-school glamour, perfectly accented by her rock crystal and diamond bracelets. As Swanson teetered on the edge of reality in the film, her own jewelry dramatically underscored her faltering grip on life, enhancing the emotional depth of her decline.

It wasn't just a one-time affair — Swanson often adorned herself with her Cartier rock crystal and diamond bracelets, making them a staple both in her cinematic roles and her personal style. She first flaunted these Art Deco gems in her 1933 film Perfect Understanding, setting a trend that she proudly carried through her career.

With the Oscars results on the line, Swanson famously donned her signature bracelets for a glamorous 1951 New York party, where she connected via live radio to the Oscars in Los Angeles, eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Best Actress category. Decades later, in 2022, Cartier paid tribute to these signature bangles with the creation of the diamond Libre Morphosis watch.

Angelina Jolie’s Diamond Choker in The Tourist (2010)

(Photo courtesy of Vogue)

The Oscar-winning actress delivers a stunning performance in The Tourist as Elise Clifton-Ward, who "accidentally" meets Frank (Johnny Depp) on a train to Venice. What starts as a calculated plan turns into a high-stakes game as they race to outsmart the police and a vengeful mobster chasing stolen money.

Angelina Jolie teamed up with jeweler Robert Procop while preparing for the film to find the perfect piece of jewelry for her role as Elise. The choice was none other than the antique “Elise” diamond choker, a piece now as famous as the film itself.

Elise’s magnificent choker — adorned with diamond-encrusted laurel leaves and lush foliage — demonstrates how breathtaking jewelry can be under the touch of masterful artisans. But to give Angelina her due credit, it wasn’t the exquisite choker that made her shine; instead, the piece became iconic simply because it touched her.

Elizabeth Taylor's Golden Jewelry in Cleopatra (1963)

(Photo courtesy of Vogue)

Elizabeth Taylor's ultra-extravagant golden costume in Cleopatra remains one of the most majestic outfits to ever grace the silver screen.

As she made her grand entrance into Rome, Cleopatra rode on a chariot under the watchful eyes of a sphinx statue decked out in a golden robe and an elaborate cape, complemented by a headdress with snakes coiling around a sun. This regal display was aimed at reinforcing her royal command and capturing the eyes of all. 

The budget for Elizabeth Taylor's wardrobe in the film was truly monumental, totaling $194,800 for the 65 outfits she showcased. This still stands as the highest costume budget ever allocated to a single character. Her gold dress went down in cinematic history, contributing to the film's four Oscar wins, including Best Costume Design by Irene Sharaff and Vittorio Nino Novarese. The legendary status of this epic outfit was further cemented when its cape was auctioned for $59,375 in 2012, 

The design of her epic costume — reminiscent of the phoenix rising from its ashes to symbolize rebirth — will eternally be synonymous with the charismatic actress.

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About The Writer

Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?).