8 Famous Jewelry Pieces from Classic Movies

8 Famous Jewelry Pieces in Classic Movies

Some of the most famous jewelry pieces featured in movies include Rose’s necklace in “Titanic,” Audrey Hepburn’s iconic Holly Golightly pearls in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and the necklace gifted to Julia Robert’s character Vivian in “Pretty Woman.”

Even if you’re not exactly knowledgeable about the jewelry industry, certain famous jewelry pieces like these have cemented themselves into the public consciousness. But who made them and were they just prop items that were discarded after filming? Here are eight famous jewelry pieces from classic movies with updates about where they are now.

1. The Heart of the Ocean Necklace from “Titanic”

Possibly the most famous piece of jewelry in the history of film is the Heart of the Ocean necklace from the 1997 classic, “Titanic.” The fictional, massive, heart-shaped blue diamond is actually based on a very real gemstone: the Hope Diamond, otherwise known as one of the most expensive diamonds in the entire world (though, sadly, this one is not shaped like a heart).

Today, you can see the Hope Diamond with your own eyes at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. Meanwhile, the Heart of the Ocean necklace from the film was actually a prop version simply made with cubic zirconia.

After the film’s release, the same jeweler that created the Heart of the Ocean prop piece crafted a more authentic take using real sapphires and diamonds. That version was worn by Celine Dion to the 1998 Oscars where she performed the movie’s signature song, “My Heart Will Go On,” before it was auctioned off, fetching $2.2 million for charity.

2. Marilyn Monroe’s Jewelry in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”

Marilyn Monroe wears a wealth of jewelry throughout “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” The most notable is during the film’s famous song, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” in which she’s decked out in an array of diamonds and a pink satin dress. There are a few other famous pieces from the movie, too.

One is the Moon of Baroda, a yellow diamond with an intriguing past (and maybe also a curse). Originally discovered in India somewhere around the 1600s, the gemstone made its way through several royal families before the owner of a Detroit jewelry company purchased it in the 1950s. That individual lent the diamond for Monroe to use in the film — some say her career began to decline after that. In recent history, the diamond has been auctioned off to multiple private buyers.

Another piece of jewelry from the film is much more accessible to the public; a prop diamond ring that Monroe wears is on display at The Hollywood Museum.

3. Audrey Hepburn’s Pearl Necklace in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”

Audrey Hepburn wears some stunning jewelry in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” but perhaps the most well-known piece is the multi-strand pearl necklace that she dons with a black dress, sunglasses, and a tiara.

The look is unmistakably chic and features hundreds of beads — but it’s generally agreed to have been costume jewelry, and it’s not clear quite where the necklace ended up after filming wrapped.

Audrey Hepburn also appeared in the film’s promotional materials wearing one very famous piece of real jewelry, the Tiffany Diamond. A 128.54-carat yellow diamond, it’s another one of the world’s most famous and expensive gemstones and has been long owned by Tiffany & Co.

Hepburn was only the second woman to ever wear the diamond, and only a few have followed in her footsteps, including Lady Gaga and Beyonce. (If you’re lucky, you can see it at the brand’s flagship store in New York City.)

4. The Heart Diamond and Ruby Necklace in “Pretty Woman”

One of the most memorable scenes in “Pretty Woman” is when Richard Gere’s character gifts Julia Roberts’ Vivian a diamond and ruby necklace, playfully snapping the box shut on her fingers as she touches the piece and then erupts into laughter.

That necklace was originally crafted by luxury jeweler Fred, with the designer going on to release an entire collection of jewelry inspired by the famous necklace in 2021. The OG piece is currently still owned by Fred, per Prestige.

5. Audrey Hepburn’s Pearl Necklace in “Roman Holiday”

Audrey Hepburn makes the list again! She was known for wearing several notable pearl necklaces throughout her film career, including the pearl, diamond, and sapphire choker that she wore in “Roman Holiday.”

Designed by Furst, the necklace was intended to go to auction at Christie’s in 2023, where it was estimated to sell for upwards of $28,000, but it was pulled at the last minute for undisclosed reasons, according to National Jeweler.

6. Elizabeth Taylor’s Gold Jewelry in “Cleopatra”

Elizabeth Taylor was known for her real-life jewelry collection along with her impeccable taste and influence on the jewelry industry overall. In “Cleopatra,” life imitated art as the actress wore a variety of gold jewelry, both authentic gold and costume jewelry. Over the years, bit by bit, each piece has found a new home via auction.

In 2013, a buyer purchased a gold bangle from the film for $14,080. Another collector purchased a gold-accented falcon headdress for $12,800. Most recently, in 2017, Julien’s Auctions also took a buff bracelet and golden belt from the movie to auction.

7. Nicole Kidman’s Diamond Bib Necklace in “Moulin Rouge”

The spectacular bib necklace that Nicole Kidman’s character wears in “Moulin Rouge” is completely made of real diamonds and worth $2.5 million. But it wasn’t just on loan from a jewelry designer; it was purpose-made for the film, setting a Guinness World Record for the most valuable piece of jewelry created for a motion picture to date.

The necklace, which features more than 1,300 diamonds and a Sri Lankan blue sapphire, had its own security detail while on set. As of today, the necklace sits in the designer’s private collection.

8. Kate Hudson’s Yellow Diamond Necklace from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”

More than 20 years after the premiere of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” in 2003, Kate Hudson’s yellow dress from the movie has become one of the most beloved rom-com looks of all time. And it was famously accessorized by a yellow diamond necklace provided by Harry Winston.

The 80-carat stunner, much like the necklace that appeared in “Moulin Rouge,” required extra security on set. Following the movie’s release, it sold for $5 million to a private buyer.

Famous Movie Jewelry FAQs

Was the “Titanic” Necklace Real?

There was a real sapphire necklace recovered from the actual Titanic that you can occasionally see at exhibitions, but the movie took most of its inspiration from the real-life Hope Diamond, a large, famous, and expensive blue diamond. The necklace featured in the film was just a set piece.

What Was the Necklace Called in “Titanic”?

The necklace that Rose receives as a gift from her fiancé in “Titanic” is called “The Heart of the Ocean.” It was a fictional necklace created for the film as a prop.

What Is the Necklace in “Pretty Woman”?

The iconic ruby and diamond heart necklace from “Pretty Woman” was created by luxury brand Fred who later released a full series of jewelry pieces inspired by the design.

What Are Some Movies about Jewelry?

Sometimes, the jewelry isn’t used to make a fashion statement, but is used as a plot device instead. This can be seen in “Titanic,” “Oceans’ 8,” and “Uncut Gems.”

Where Do Movies Get Their Jewelry?

Often, production teams will have fake costume jewelry crafted to meet their filming needs, but in other cases, a prominent jewelry brand will loan one of their pieces. In rarer cases, the production might commission a designer to specifically make an authentic piece for filming.

Protect Your Most Iconic Pieces with BriteCo Jewelry Insurance

You might not own a famous piece of jewelry like the movies, but that doesn’t mean your favorite jewelry is any less meaningful or less worth protecting in case of theft, mysterious loss, disappearance, and accidental damage.

Unfortunately, you can’t rely on the average homeowners or renters insurance, or even jewelry warranties, to fully protect your piece. That’s where comprehensive specialty jewelry insurance can help fill in the gaps.

Learn more and get your jewelry insurance quote from BriteCo now.

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