Jewelry has always played an important role in cinema. Jewelry in films not only complements the character's image, but also often shapes the plot, emphasizes the character of the characters and creates the atmosphere of the scene. That is why jewelry has become an important part of the language of cinema. Many pieces of jewelry from films are now known even to those viewers who are not interested in jewelry art.
A still from the film “Titanic.” Photo: © 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / Courtesy Everett Collection
Advertising.
In the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” the heroine Holly Golightly utters the famous phrase: “I'm just crazy about Tiffany.” In Alfred Hitchcock's films, jewelry enhanced the atmosphere of intrigue and danger. In romantic films, jewelry became a symbol of love. In adventure stories, jewelry was often the subject of a search or the cause of dangerous events. In many stories, they become a central element of the plot. A diamond necklace can cause conflict. A ring can change the fate of characters.
Some of the jewelry for the movies was created by famous jewelry brands, including Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Harry Winston or Bulgari. Other jewelry was invented by costume designers and prop designers. In any case, jewelry in movies remains an important part. In this article, we recall the most famous jewelry in movies that became real stars on the screen.
Marilyn Monroe's diamonds in the film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, 1953
Photo: © 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / Courtesy Everett Collection
In the film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, Marilyn Monroe performs the song Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend. The actress appears in a pink dress by William Travilla. Diamonds sparkle around her. This scene has become one of the most famous scenes in musical films. The image of Marilyn Monroe with diamonds has become iconic. It has been quoted many times in music, fashion and cinema.
Grace Kelly's diamond necklace in the movie “To Catch a Thief” (1955)
Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
The events of the film “To Catch a Thief” directed by Alfred Hitchcock take place on the French Riviera. The story centers on former jewel thief John Robie. His role is played by Cary Grant. The hero meets heiress Frances Stevens, played by Grace Kelly. An important element of the story is her diamond Riviera necklace. At first, John Robie draws attention to the jewelry as a jewel of great value. Over time, the necklace begins to symbolize the romantic tension between the characters. In the scene on the balcony, diamonds shine in the moonlight. This moment has become one of the most famous images of classic Hollywood.
Audrey Hepburn's pearls in the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany's”, 1961
Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
The film “Breakfast at Tiffany's” gave cinema one of its most famous images. Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, stands in front of a Tiffany & Co. window with a cup of coffee. Her image is complemented by a five-row pearl necklace. This jewelry was created by Roger Semama for Givenchy. The necklace is decorated with a brooch with a crystal. Pearls have become an important part of the heroine's style. They symbolize the desire for an elegant life and at the same time emphasize the illusory nature of this image.
Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry in the film “Cleopatra”, 1963
Photo: © 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / Courtesy Everett Collection
In the film “Cleopatra” Elizabeth Taylor appears in large jewelry made of gold, turquoise and lapis lazuli. These jewels create the image of a powerful ruler. During filming in Rome, Richard Burton began giving the actress Bulgari jewelry. The first gift was a brooch with emeralds and diamonds from a boutique on Via dei Condotti. Later, these jewelry became part of Elizabeth Taylor's famous jewelry collection. Later, the actress received the legendary La Peregrina pearl as a gift.
The Pink Panther diamond in the film “The Pink Panther”, 1963
Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
The film “The Pink Panther” directed by Blake Edwards is built around a large pink diamond, the Pink Panther. This stone got its name because of a defect in the center. The pattern inside the stone resembles the silhouette of a panther. The Pink Panther diamond belongs to Princess Dali. This role in the film was played by Claudia Cardinale. Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton, played by David Niven, plans to steal this diamond. Inspector Jacques Clouseau, played by Peter Sellers, tries to solve the case. In the film, the Pink Panther diamond becomes the main object of the hunt. It is this stone that triggers the development of the plot. The jewel finds itself at the center of the intrigue and becomes the cause of numerous adventures.
Julia Roberts' ruby necklace in the movie “Pretty Woman”, 1990
Photo: © Buena Vista Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
In the film “Pretty Woman,” a ruby and diamond necklace by Fred Joaillier plays an important role. The cost of this jewelry was estimated at approximately $ 250,000. Edward Lewis, played by Richard Gere, shows the jewelry to Vivian Ward, played by Julia Roberts. When Vivian reaches for the necklace, Edward suddenly closes the box, and the heroine is frightened. Julia Roberts' reaction was real. Director Garry Marshall left this moment in the film. This scene has become one of the most famous in romantic cinema.
The blue diamond “Heart of the Ocean” in the movie “Titanic”, 1997
Photo: © 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / Courtesy Everett Collection
The Heart of the Ocean has become one of the most famous jewels in cinema. In the film, the stone is fictional, but its story is partly connected to the legendary Hope Diamond. In the film Titanic, Caledon Hockley, played by Billy Zane, gives Rose DeWitt Buketer a large heart-shaped sapphire. Rose is played by Kate Winslet. Initially, this jewel symbolizes wealth and power. Later, it becomes a source of conflict. The character Lovejoy throws the Heart of the Ocean to Jack Dawson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, to accuse him of stealing it. In the film's finale, Rose throws the stone into the sea. At this moment, the jewel becomes a symbol of the memory of love.
The Ring in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, 2001–2003
Photo: © New Line Cinema / Courtesy Everett Collection
In the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings” an important role is played by a golden ring – the One Ring. The Ring goes to Frodo Baggins, played by Elijah Wood. The decoration symbolizes power and temptation. It is the One Ring that becomes the cause of the great conflict in this story. A small decoration determines the fate of the whole world.
Sparkling Diamond necklace in the movie “Moulin Rouge!”, 2001
Photo: ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
In the film “Moulin Rouge!”, the heroine Satine, played by Nicole Kidman, wears a luxurious Sparkling Diamond necklace. This jewelry was created by jeweler Stefano Canturi. The necklace is made of 18-carat white gold and decorated with 1,308 diamonds. In the film, the jewelry symbolizes the Duke's power over Satine. At the same time, it emphasizes her stage image and luxurious Parisian cabaret style.
Earring in the movie “Girl with a Pearl Earring”, 2003
Photo: © Lions Gate / Courtesy Everett Collection
The film “Girl with a Pearl Earring” tells the fictional story of the creation of Jan Vermeer's painting. The plot centers on the maid Grete, played by Scarlett Johansson. The pearl earring in the film has a symbolic meaning. In the scene when the heroine pierces her ear and puts on the earring, the jewelry becomes a symbol of trust and inspiration.
Isadora's yellow diamond in the movie “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”, 2003
Photo: © Paramount / Courtesy Everett Collection
In the film “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” Andie Anderson, played by Kate Hudson, appears in a yellow silk dress in a gala scene. The dress was created specifically for the Harry Winston jewelry – the Isadora yellow diamond pendant. It is an 84-carat canary-yellow diamond. It was provided under security for filming. The stone was estimated to be worth about $5-6 million. Costume designer Karen Patch worked with Carolina Herrera to ensure that the dress would blend in with the color of the diamond. As a result, this look became one of the most famous examples of early 2000s glamour.
Love Knot necklace and Omega watch in the movie “Casino Royale”, 2006
Photo: © Sony Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
Photo: © Sony Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
In the film “Casino Royale”, the character Vesper Lind, played by Eva Green, wears the Algerian Love Knot necklace by Sophie Harley. This jewelry symbolizes love and at the same time hides betrayal. The necklace also appears in the film “Quantum of Solace”. In the plot, the jewelry becomes evidence of Vesper's connections with a secret organization. James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, wears an Omega Seamaster watch, which has become one of the most famous accessories of agent 007.
Cartier Toussaint necklace in the movie “Ocean's Eight”, 2018
Photo: © Warner Bros. Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
In the film Ocean's Eight, the Cartier Toussaint necklace becomes the central object of a robbery. The original piece of jewelry was created in 1931 for the Maharaja of Nawanagar. For the film, the jewelry house Cartier recreated the necklace in its workshops in Paris. In the story, the jewelry appears on the neck of the heroine Daphne Kluger, played by Anne Hathaway. It is this necklace that becomes the main target of a robbery during the Met Gala.
Eleanor's emerald ring in the movie “Crazy Rich Asians”, 2018
In the movie Crazy Rich Asians, an emerald ring plays an important role. It is worn by the character Eleanor Yang, played by Michelle Yeo. This ring was not a prop. The actress used her own jewelry during filming. The emerald symbolizes family tradition and authority. When Nick Yang, played by Henry Golding, proposes to Rachel Chu, it is this ring that becomes a symbol of acceptance.
Based on material from vogue.com