The Most Iconic Jewelry Moments in Hollywood History
No matter your age, Hollywood has a way of grabbing our attention—though the celebrities you follow might differ from those your parents or grandparents admire. From whirlwind romances to headline-making scandals, celebrities inevitably become part of our lives, whether we like to admit it or not. They certainly influence trends and shape our pop culture, and one of those ways is with their jewelry.
Hollywood has long been a symbol of glamour, especially when it comes to the fashion and jewelry of its iconic celebrities. Few things scream “iconic” quite like dazzling jewelry—and there's certainly no shortage of it at Hollywood events. From unforgettable movie scenes to red carpet award shows and premiere appearances, A-list stars have dazzled in stunning jewelry that continues to captivate the public and spark conversation long after the event.
Ever since film and photography became prevalent, Hollywood’s most famous faces have been captured wearing incredible jewelry and gemstones. Some are family pieces and some are on loan from famous jewelry companies, but they grab our attention regardless. There are, however, several major Hollywood jewelry moments that stand out. These have gone down in history as some of the most memorable—if not outright legendary.
1. The Tiffany Diamond
We would be remiss to discuss Hollywood jewelry and not talk about the Tiffany Diamond, which may be the most iconic piece of jewelry in history. Discovered in 1877 in the Kimberley mines of South Africa, the rough weighed 287.42 carats, but was cut to its current 128.54 carats. The diamond was cut in Paris and has 82 facets, instead of the typical 58, which makes it an incredibly vibrant stone. It was purchased by Charles Lewis Tiffany–the founder of Tiffany & Co.–for just $18,000. This was quite a bit of money at the time but now seems like a bargain for such a gorgeous stone. The Tiffany Diamond currently remains in Tiffany & Co.’s private collection and is on display at their flagship store in New York City.
The Tiffany Diamond was worn in 1961 by Audrey Hepburn in promotional ads for Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The vibrant yellow stone was set in an elegant necklace reminiscent of tied ribbons and bows and was accented by white diamonds. Only the second person to ever wear this diamond, Hepburn cemented it into a symbol of wealth and elegance.
Decades after Audrey Hepburn, Lady Gaga wore the Tiffany Diamond to the 2019 Academy Awards. The yellow diamond was set in a completely different necklace than when Hepburn wore it, yet was equally stunning. Gaga was only the third person to ever wear the diamond in public, followed by Beyoncé in the About Love campaign.
2. Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewelry Collection
One of Hollywood’s most famous actresses, Elizabeth Taylor was gorgeous, talented, and surrounded by scandal. She started in the business early as a child star and won several Academy Awards for Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
She was known for her rollercoaster love life—married eight times, including twice to Richard Burton—and for her lavish jewelry collection, much of which began as gifts from her many husbands. One of her most famous jewelry pieces was the Taylor-Burton Diamond, which was a 69.42 carat pear shaped diamond from Cartier that she received in 1969. It has been set in an earring as well as a necklace.
The La Peregrina Pearl was previously owned by the Spanish royal family, but was gifted to Taylor by her husband Burton. The Krupp Diamond (also known as the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond) was a 33.19 carat Asscher cut diamond that she wore often. The Taj Mahal Diamond was a heart shaped diamond that was a 40th birthday gift. She owned many other jewels from famous jewelers such as Cartier, Bulgari, and Van Cleef, many of which were sold at auction after Taylor died in 2011 (profits which benefited Taylor’s AIDS foundation).
3. Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend
Much like Taylor, Marilyn Monroe was one of the most iconic Hollywood starlets of her era. Starring in films like Some Like It Hot, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and The Seven Year Itch, Monroe exuded sultry glamour and was no stranger to fashion and luxury.
In her 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Monroe performed Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend, which is a line that is still used in many modern ad campaigns. Even though the diamonds used during that scene were not real, they certainly got the point across, becoming an unforgettable moment that will always be remembered and tied to Monroe.
Although she didn’t have a large jewelry collection herself, she did own a few notable pieces such as the Moon of Baroda, a 24.04 carat yellow diamond, and a string of Mikimoto pearls, which she was gifted by her husband Joe DiMaggio.
4. The Heart of the Ocean in Titanic
Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet’s love story in 1997’s Titanic had teenage girls absolutely swooning and rewinding their VHS tapes over and over again. Also swoon-worthy is the Heart of the Ocean necklace from the film, and while not a real piece of jewelry, it sure made an impression. It was inspired by the Hope Diamond and became a symbol of love and loss, leading to many replicas being created.
5. The Cartier Necklace in Ocean’s 8
Another famous piece of jewelry from a film is the Cartier necklace, which was worn by Anne Hathaway in Oceans 8 in 2018. This necklace was known as the Jeanne Toussaint Necklace and was actually a replica of the Cartier necklace made for the Maharaja of Nawanagar. The necklace was an important part of the plot of the film. We won’t spoil it, but it deserves a watch!
These are just a few of Hollywood’s most iconic jewelry moments that have left a lasting mark on pop culture. From the unforgettable sparkle of the Tiffany Diamond—worn by Audrey Hepburn, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé—to Marilyn Monroe’s legendary performance of Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend, these moments remain etched in the minds of audiences everywhere. Similarly, the fictional Heart of the Ocean from Titanic and the Cartier necklace in Ocean’s 8 will always be remembered for the impact they had at the time.
Hollywood has played a major role in shaping the world of fine jewelry and fashion—and it will undoubtedly continue to influence both for years to come.