The Dazzling Gems That Adorned an Icon
Marilyn Monroe didn’t just wear jewellery; she transformed it into extensions of her captivating persona. Her collection blended studio-provided pieces for film roles with deeply personal acquisitions, each item amplifying her signature blend of innocence and allure. The legendary Moon of Baroda Diamond stands out—a rare 24-carat pale yellow diamond gifted by Joe DiMaggio. This historic stone, once owned by the Empress of Austria, vanished after Marilyn’s death, fueling decades of speculation about its whereabouts. Equally iconic were the diamond-studded platinum earrings she wore during her sultry “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” performance for JFK in 1962. These shimmering accessories weren’t mere embellishments but strategic elements of her image, designed to catch the light and the public’s imagination simultaneously.
Beyond diamonds, Marilyn cherished pearls for their timeless elegance. Her collaboration with Mikimoto produced unforgettable moments, most notably the Mikimoto Pearl necklace she wore while posing in a satin gown—an image that distilled 1950s glamour. Her Blancpain watch, a refined yellow gold timepiece, revealed her appreciation for understated luxury in private moments. Unlike the flamboyant gems she wore on screen, this watch symbolized a more intimate facet of her style. Whether donning faux jewels for movie scenes or investing in real treasures, Marilyn understood that jewellery narrated stories. Each piece amplified her persona: diamonds echoed her incandescent star power, while pearls whispered sophistication. Her choices cemented the idea that accessories were psychological armour, transforming Marilyn Monroe’s jewellery into cultural artefacts that still resonate today.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Cinematic Jewellery as Co-Star
In Howard Hawks’ 1953 musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, jewellery wasn’t just props—it was a central character. Marilyn Monroe’s portrayal of Lorelei Lee featured gems as narrative devices, epitomized by the show-stopping “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” number. Swathed in hot-pink satin and dripping with rhinestones, Marilyn turned costume jewellery into symbols of feminine ambition and wit. The film’s exaggerated gems—oversized necklaces, cascading earrings—visually echoed Lorelei’s mantra about diamonds representing security and independence. Twentieth Century Fox’s wardrobe department masterfully used paste replicas to create maximum sparkle under studio lights, proving that illusion could be as powerful as reality in building myth.
One standout piece was the diamond earrings Marilyn wore during the ship scenes, their relentless sparkle mirroring Lorelei’s calculated charm. The film also featured layered pearl necklaces, nodding to her off-screen love for Mikimoto. Crucially, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes established Monroe’s association with luxury gems in the public consciousness, blurring the line between character and actress. When she purred dialogue about “cartwheeling diamonds,” audiences believed Marilyn herself endorsed the sentiment. The film’s costume jewellery later gained cult status, with contemporary designers like Kim Kardashian recreating the pink gown look. This cemented Marilyn’s role in linking cinematic glamour to real-world desire, transforming fake stones into objects of genuine cultural obsession.
From Mikimoto to Moon of Baroda: Decoding Monroe’s Signature Pieces
Marilyn Monroe’s most legendary jewels reveal fascinating contrasts in her life and style. The Mikimoto Pearl necklace epitomized her alliance with refined elegance. Wearing it during a 1954 photoshoot, she transformed Akoya pearls—synonymous with Japanese craftsmanship—into symbols of Hollywood sophistication. Mikimoto leveraged this association for decades, using her image to market pearls as essentials for the modern woman. Conversely, the Moon of Baroda Diamond represented intimate romance. Its canary-yellow hue and 500-year history fascinated Marilyn, who wore it just twice publicly—including at the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes premiere. Unlike the Mikimoto, this diamond was profoundly personal, a token from DiMaggio during their volatile marriage.
Her diamond earrings served as versatile staples, appearing in films, concerts, and portraits. Unlike bulkier pieces, they offered subtle radiance that framed her face without overwhelming it. Meanwhile, the Blancpain watch revealed a private Marilyn. The slim, gold cocktail watch—inscribed “From Joe to Marilyn”—was worn off-camera, symbolizing DiMaggio’s hope for a quieter life away from Hollywood’s glare. These pieces collectively mapped Marilyn’s duality: the luminous star versus the vulnerable woman. When auctioned decades later, they commanded astronomical sums, proving their enduring power. Christie’s 1999 sale of her diamond earrings fetched over $200,000, while a replica Blancpain sold for $150,000 in 2022—demonstrating how Monroe’s legacy transforms objects into priceless cultural relics.
Kraków-born journalist now living on a remote Scottish island with spotty Wi-Fi but endless inspiration. Renata toggles between EU policy analysis, Gaelic folklore retellings, and reviews of retro point-and-click games. She distills her own lavender gin and photographs auroras with a homemade pinhole camera.