Jewelled Inspiration: Celebrity Jewellery Moments That Made History

Fashions are quick to change, but one thing that lasts a lifetime is jewellery. Nothing adds the final touch to an outfit like a piece of jewellery and, because of this, there have been many huge and iconic jewellery moments that have made history. A well-decorated past can add huge value to jewellery, so when certain pieces are worn or favoured by celebrities, this only adds to the value and interest around them, whether it’s more modern pieces or authentic antique jewellery.

As such, there have been some huge moments in jewellery and celebrity history, taking a piece of jewellery from statement to iconic. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the celebrity jewellery moments which have made history.

Lady Gaga and the Tiffany Diamond

At the 2019 Oscars, Lady Gaga attended wearing a beautiful Tiffany & Co. yellow diamond, which is believed to weigh a huge 128.54 carats. The necklace was such an interesting piece, that it took all the spotlight, even on a night where Lady Gaga won an award.

tiffany

Her outfit - an off-the-shoulder little black dress and long satin gloves - was chosen so that the necklace got all the attention. The only other wearer of the diamond was Audrey Hepburn, who once made an appearance wearing another jewellery piece with the same stone as part of her promotion campaign for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

The Cartier Tank Watch

Designed and introduced in 1919, the Cartier Tank watch has been a staple piece in several celebrity collections. With a design that took inspiration from the armoured vehicles which ventured across battlefields, the sleek design of the Cartier Tank watch is synonymous with celebrity wearers. From Jackie Kennedy and Diana, Princess of Wales to Michelle Obama and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the Cartier Tank watch has had many outings on the wrists of famous celebrities - it’s no wonder that there are many different versions of it in circulation.

Kate Middleton’s Engagement Ring

Kate and William’s engagement announcement happened on the morning of November 16th 2010. In the announcement, Kate appeared in a dark blue dress which is believed to have been chosen to highlight the beauty of her engagement ring - a stunning piece of jewellery with a very similar blue tone. Her engagement ring - created using Princess Diana’s white gold ring, the now-famous 12-carat oval sapphire and surrounded by 14 colourless diamonds - was the feature piece in news across the world.

a similar replica of a royal family engagment ring

Since then, the engagement ring has become one of the most famous jewellery pieces in history and sapphires rocketed in popularity, featuring on more and more engagement rings, with many brides looking to get a jewellery piece just like hers, not only in the UK, but around the world. Kate’s jewellery collection has always garnered much attention, with pieces from many decades and countries around the world, as well as many elegant Cartier and Kiki McDonough items.

Marilyn Monroe’s Strand of Pearls

Marilyn Monroe married legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio in 1954. Although their marriage only lasted 9 months, during this time Monroe was gifted a 16-inch strand of Akoya pearls during their honeymoon in Japan. The choker-style necklace was made up of 44 pearls and was created and designed by luxury Japanese designer Mikimoto.

a similar replica of a celebrity pearl necklace

Monroe was pictured many times wearing the necklace and even wore it during the court proceedings for her and DiMaggio’s divorce. Following her death, the necklace was given to a friend who then sold it back to Mikimoto for an undisclosed price. No two pearls are the same and some can even take up to 10 years to form and develop, so it was likely worth a high value both on its original purchase and the resale back to Mikimoto.

Other Iconic Celebrity Jewellery Moments That Made History

Here are some other iconic celebrity jewellery moments that have made history:

Elizabeth Taylor's La Peregrina Pearl: Elizabeth Taylor's collection included La Peregrina, a 50.56-carat pearl with a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Given to her by Richard Burton, it became one of the most famous pieces in her collection.
Marilyn Monroe’s Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend Performance: Although not real diamonds, the performance in the film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" cemented Monroe's image with glittering jewels, becoming an iconic moment in cinematic and jewellery history.
Angelina Jolie's Emerald Earrings: At the 2009 Oscars, Angelina Jolie wore 115-carat emerald drop earrings by Lorraine Schwartz. The bold choice of colour and design made a significant impact on red carpet fashion.
Beyoncé's Lorraine Schwartz Necklace: At the 2017 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé wore a stunning 400-carat diamond necklace by Lorraine Schwartz, valued at $12 million, making a statement both in style and value.
Nicole Kidman's Moulin Rouge Necklace: The "Satine" necklace worn by Nicole Kidman in the film "Moulin Rouge" featured 1,308 diamonds and was designed by Stefano Canturi, becoming a memorable piece in film history.
Cate Blanchett's Chopard Earrings: At the 2014 Oscars, Cate Blanchett wore opal earrings by Chopard, which perfectly complemented her stunning Armani gown, adding a unique and elegant touch to her ensemble.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' Jewelry Collection: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' collection included many notable pieces, such as the Van Cleef & Arpels engagement ring given by Aristotle Onassis and her iconic triple-strand pearl necklace.
Rihanna's Guo Pei Met Gala Headpiece: At the 2015 Met Gala, Rihanna's Guo Pei headpiece wasn't exactly jewellery, but its elaborate design and opulence fit the "China: Through the Looking Glass" theme perfectly, making it a memorable moment.