The 50 Most Iconic Jewelry Movie Moments of All Time
From Audrey Hepburn to Anne Hathaway, Hollywood's biggest actresses have graced the big screen with some serious bling
There's nothing audiences love more than a little bling on the big screen—which is why we're rounding up the best jewelry moments in cinema history. Which actress showed off her real-life engagement ring while in character? Which jaw-dropping statement piece was actually a knockoff of the real thing? From Old Hollywood icons dripping in diamonds to modern celebs bringing their inner princesses to life, these are the most legendary jewels on the silver screen.
Anna May Wong's diamond tiara in Pavement Butterfly (1928)
Anna May Wong's glittering diamond headpiece completes her opulent wardrobe in the British-German film, Pavement Butterfly. While the diadem stands out because of its sparkling jewels, the actress wearing it made an even larger impact on the industry as one of the very first Chinese-American stars to be cast as a romantic lead.
Mary Pickford's strand of pearls in Secrets (1933)
Silent film star Mary Pickford proves simplicity is key as she sports a single, long strand of pearls in the film, Secrets.
Jean Harlow's diamond bracelets in Dinner at Eight (1933)
Audiences expected Jean Harlow to bring the glamour while starring in Dinner at Eight as a sultry social climber. The film star delivered, showing off a wrist stacked with four diamond and gemstone bracelets, laid over a white satin glove. The art deco jewels were the perfect compliment to her silk gown and fur stole.
Mae West's diamonds in She Done Him Wrong (1933)
Both onscreen and off, Mae West was typically found dripping in diamonds. So what makes her bejeweled getup in She Done Him Wrong so memorable? The famous actress actually purchased most of the jewelry in the film herself — from the chandelier diamond earrings to her wrist (and fist) full of gems. West would sell most of her jewelry to donate to the war effort, but the 1920s 40-carat diamond bracelet worn in the 1933 film remained in her collection. The stunning piece was eventually purchased by jeweler Neil Lane.
Greta Garbo's gold rope necklace and bracelet in Camille (1936)
Greta Garbo was one of Hollywood's most enigmatic stars, but one thing about her that wasn't a mystery? Her jewelry in Camille was beyond enviable. For the film, Garbo paired an off-the-shoulder, tulle ballgown with a golden woven necklace and bracelet set that was both chic and classic.
Vivien Leigh's cameo brooch in Gone With the Wind (1939)
The 1939 tale of Scarlett O'Hara's attempts to make a life for herself during and after the Civil War is now widely regarded as problematic, but every element of it had a major impact on Hollywood storytelling—including the costumes. When it comes to jewelry, there's nothing more iconic than the oversized, Victorian cameo brooch she wore in the final scene. Frankly, my dear, we'll never forget this piece.
Carmen Miranda's layered necklaces in Week-End in Havana (1941)
Carmen Miranda's wardrobe was iconic on its own, but something that really sticks out in her Week-End in Havana ensemble is her chest of layered necklaces. The colorful, beaded pieces were just one component to the singer's sensational look.
Rita Hayworth's diamond tennis necklace in Gilda (1946)
Rita Hayworth's vampy Gilda outfit was made even more glamorous by her diamond tennis necklace. The thin choker was subtle but dazzling, and made a statement against her strapless satin evening gown.
Gloria Swanson's diamond choker in Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Gloria Swanson's diamond wing choker was worn as a statement piece during a harrowing scene in Sunset Boulevard. The dazzling necklace had an onscreen history both before and after the film. First, appearing in The Lady Eve on actress Barbara Stanwyck in 1941, and later gracing the neck of Zsa Zsa Gabor in the 1966 film, Picture Mommy Dead.
Jane Russell's diamond necklace in The Las Vegas Story (1952)
Jane Russell sports an opulent diamond necklace in The Las Vegas Story that's central to the plot of the film. The bauble was loaned by Cartier to RKO for the movie, and cost around $150,000 in 1952.
Marilyn Monroe's diamond jewels in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes(1953)
Marilyn Monroe had already become a megastar by the time Gentlemen Prefer Blondes debuted in theaters, but the actress took her luxe image to the next level with her diamond choker, bracelets and earrings.
Audrey Hepburn’s pearl choker in Roman Holiday (1953)
In the final scene of Roman Holiday (1953), Audrey Hepburn wears a refined pearl choker designed by the Italian jewelry house Fürst. The necklace is a wide, collar-style piece composed of fine pearls. It sold at auction for over $8 million on Christie’s “Jewels Online: The Geneva Edit” sale.
Grace Kelly's diamond set in To Catch a Thief (1955)
Grace Kelly looked elegant in a tiered diamond necklace and fringe diamond earrings while in wardrobe from the 1955 classic, To Catch a Thief. Audiences expected nothing less from the Hollywood starlet.
Audrey Hepburn's chandelier tiara and earrings in War and Peace (1956)
Audrey Hepburn's diamond chandelier tiara and earrings complimented her ornate hairstyle and Regency-era dress for the film, War and Peace. The actress costarred in the picture with her then-husband, Mel Ferrer.
Deborah Kerr's multi-strand pearl bracelet in An Affair to Remember (1957)
Deborah Kerr's multi-strand pearl bracelet stands out against her tangerine coat in a memorable scene from An Affair to Remember.
Dorothy Dandridge's sapphire necklace and earrings in Island in the Sun (1957)
Dorothy Dandridge sizzled in a pair of sapphire and silver earrings and choker while filming Island in the Sun. The jewelry was the perfect compliment to her bold, yellow sundress.
Elizabeth Taylor's diamond solitaire necklace and pearl earrings in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Even off camera, Elizabeth Taylor brought glitz and glamour wherever she went — so her solitaire diamond pendant was actually an understatement in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The film star topped off the chic look with a pair of pearl and diamond cluster earrings.
Audrey Hepburn's pearl and diamond necklace in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Audrey Hepburn's jewelry in Breakfast at Tiffany's were the pearls seen around the world. The actress wore a multiple strand pearl necklace clasped with a large diamond brooch for the iconic opening scene of the film.
Rita Moreno's gold hoop earrings in West Side Story (1961)
Amid diamonds and pearls, don't forget about Rita Moreno's classic gold hoop earrings in West Side Story. The actress paired them with her square neck dress when she played Anita in the 1961 film.
Elizabeth Taylor's golden jewels in Cleopatra (1963)
The industry has so much to thank Cleopatra for — from Liz & Dick to Taylor's wardrobe throughout the blockbuster film. Joseff of Hollywood, the jeweler behind many of Hollywood's biggest films at the time, fitted the actress in pieces like this plated gold bib necklace, chandelier earrings, and hair piece.
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