Diamonds, Pearls, and Timeless Glamour: The Jewels That Defined Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe’s Jewellery: Symbols of an Icon’s Radiance

Marilyn Monroe transcended stardom to become a global symbol of allure, and her relationship with jewellery was integral to crafting that legendary image. Far more than mere accessories, her pieces were carefully chosen extensions of her persona, amplifying her magnetism on and off-screen. From the shimmering diamonds that mirrored her incandescent smile to the elegant pearls that whispered sophistication, each item held narrative weight. Her collection blended studio-provided showstoppers with cherished personal acquisitions, reflecting both the manufactured Hollywood fantasy and the woman beneath the platinum hair.

The strategic use of jewellery in her films cemented their iconic status. Costume designers understood that adorning Marilyn wasn’t just about decoration; it was visual storytelling. A strategically placed brooch or cascading earrings could shift a character from vulnerable to powerful within a single scene. Pieces like the dazzling diamond necklace she famously sang about in *Gentlemen Prefer Blondes* weren’t just props; they became co-stars, embodying the themes of desire, aspiration, and feminine power that her characters often represented. Off-camera, her choices revealed personal taste – favouring pieces that balanced boldness with a touch of classic elegance, a duality that defined her.

Among the most legendary items in her collection was the Moon of Baroda Diamond. This exquisite 24-carat canary yellow diamond necklace, originating from India’s Baroda province, possessed a history almost as captivating as Marilyn herself. Reportedly worn centuries earlier by Mughal emperors, it lent an aura of ancient mystique and imperial luxury to the modern icon when she donned it for a 1953 photo session. The striking contrast of the vivid yellow diamond against her pale skin and signature red lips created one of her most visually arresting looks, forever linking the stone to her legacy. Its unique colour and royal provenance perfectly complemented Marilyn Monroe’s own status as Hollywood royalty. Discover more about this and other legendary pieces within her Marilyn Monroe’s jewellery collection.

Her personal fondness for pearls was equally significant. She famously declared, “Pearls are always appropriate,” a maxim reflecting her appreciation for their timeless grace. Whether layered strands or single, luminous orbs, pearls offered a counterpoint to her more flamboyant diamond moments, showcasing her versatility. They suggested an inherent sophistication and a softer, more introspective facet of her personality, proving that her Marilyn Monroe fashion sense encompassed both dazzling spectacle and understated refinement. This deliberate curation of jewels, blending the historically significant, the cinematically iconic, and the personally beloved, solidified her image as the ultimate symbol of mid-century American glamour.

Unveiling Legendary Gems: The Moon of Baroda and Mikimoto Pearl

The Moon of Baroda Diamond remains one of the most fascinating jewels associated with Marilyn Monroe. Its journey to her neck was steeped in centuries of history. Mined in Golconda, India, the cushion-cut diamond’s distinctive canary yellow hue was exceptionally rare. It entered the treasury of the Gaekwads, rulers of Baroda, in the 18th century. Legends swirled around its ownership, suggesting it once adorned Empress Marie Antoinette and Mughal emperors, adding layers of intrigue long before Marilyn encountered it. Its acquisition by Meyer Rosenbaum, president of the Meyer Jewelry Company, brought it into the Hollywood orbit. Rosenbaum loaned it to Monroe for a pivotal 1953 photo shoot with photographer Philippe Halsman.

The resulting images are iconic. Marilyn, wearing only the diamond suspended on a simple chain, exudes confidence and sensuality. The Moon of Baroda‘s intense yellow warmth seemed to ignite against her complexion, creating an unforgettable visual alchemy. Halsman captured the diamond not just as an ornament, but as an extension of her luminous energy. While Marilyn didn’t own the diamond long-term, this brief association immortalized it. Decades later, the diamond retains its mystique, auctioned in 2018 for substantial value, its price significantly amplified by its proven connection to Hollywood’s brightest star. Its story exemplifies how a jewel’s value transcends carats and clarity, becoming priceless through its role in cultural history.

Conversely, the Mikimoto Pearl necklace represented a different facet of Marilyn’s style: cultivated elegance and enduring value. Gifted to her by Joe DiMaggio during their 1954 honeymoon in Japan, this piece carried profound personal significance. Visiting the Mikimoto pearl farm, DiMaggio commissioned a custom necklace featuring 44 exquisite, perfectly matched cultured Akoya pearls. Mikimoto, synonymous with the highest quality cultured pearls, represented tradition, luxury, and quiet sophistication – qualities DiMaggio perhaps admired and wished to associate with his bride. Marilyn cherished the gift, frequently wearing the double-strand necklace privately and publicly, including at a press conference announcing the end of their marriage.

The Mikimoto pearls contrasted sharply with the flamboyant diamonds often demanded by her roles. They spoke of a more reserved, classic beauty Marilyn embraced in her personal life. Unlike the fleeting glamour of costume pieces, these pearls symbolized a hope for lasting love and stability. Their enduring lustre mirrored Marilyn’s own desire for authenticity beneath the glittering facade. The necklace remains a poignant reminder of her private self and her relationship with DiMaggio. While the Moon of Baroda captured a moment of manufactured cinematic heat, the Mikimoto pearls represented a personal investment in timeless grace, showcasing Marilyn’s appreciation for quality and the emotional weight jewellery could carry.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Diamonds, Dazzle, and Defining an Era

No film cemented Marilyn Monroe’s association with dazzling jewels more indelibly than Howard Hawks’ 1953 musical comedy, *Gentlemen Prefer Blondes*. Cast as the gold-digging, diamond-adoring showgirl Lorelei Lee, Marilyn delivered a performance that was equal parts satire and star-making spectacle. The film’s costumes, designed by the legendary Travilla, were instrumental in defining her character and amplifying Marilyn’s own burgeoning iconography. Jewellery wasn’t merely an accessory in this film; it was central to the plot, the humour, and the film’s most iconic musical number.

The pinnacle of this jewelled spectacle was, of course, the “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” sequence. Drenched in the vibrant glow of pink lighting, Marilyn, resplendent in Travilla’s iconic hot-pink satin gown and long gloves, became a vision of pure, unadulterated glamour. Adorning her neck, ears, and wrists was an avalanche of rhinestones simulating diamonds. The sheer volume and sparkle were deliberate, creating a visual metaphor for Lorelei’s materialistic desires. The costume featured a prominent diamond brooch pinned to the gown’s hip, and her ears dripped with large, brilliant-cut diamond earrings, catching the light with every precise movement. These elements, combined with her poised choreography and suggestive lyrics, transformed the song into a cultural touchstone, forever linking Marilyn Monroe’s image with the allure of diamonds.

Beyond the showstopping number, jewellery was woven into Lorelei Lee’s character throughout the film. From the diamond tiara she dreamily imagines to the strategically placed brooches and bracelets, each piece reinforced her singular focus: acquiring valuable gems through advantageous marriage. Travilla understood that for Lorelei, jewellery equalled security and status. The Marilyn Monroe fashion showcased in the film, particularly the lavish use of faux jewels, wasn’t just about looking wealthy; it was a narrative device expressing character motivation with brilliant clarity. The film’s success hinged on Marilyn’s ability to make this materialistic ambition both humorous and strangely compelling, a feat achieved partly through her charismatic interaction with the sparkling props.

*Gentlemen Prefer Blondes* also featured Marilyn wearing a practical yet stylish timepiece off-camera: a Blancpain watch. This detail highlights the intersection between her cinematic persona and her personal life. Blancpain, renowned for its luxury and precision, represented a sophisticated choice. Photographs show Marilyn wearing an elegant, rectangular-faced Blancpain watch during breaks on set or at publicity events, often paired with more casual attire. This choice demonstrated her appreciation for fine craftsmanship beyond the costume dazzle required for Lorelei Lee. The watch served as a subtle counterpoint to the film’s rhinestone extravagance, hinting at Marilyn Monroe’s own developing taste for understated, high-quality accessories that offered genuine value, a sophistication that resonated far beyond the character’s comic obsession. The film remains a masterclass in using jewellery as character definition and solidified Marilyn’s status as the ultimate symbol of diamond-drenched Hollywood fantasy.

Théo Legrand

Marseille street-photographer turned Montréal tech columnist. Théo deciphers AI ethics one day and reviews artisan cheese the next. He fences épée for adrenaline, collects transit maps, and claims every good headline needs a soundtrack.