Marilyn Monroe’s Jewellery: The Dazzling Secrets Behind Hollywood’s Most Iconic Gems

The Moon of Baroda Diamond: A Celestial Stone with a Tumultuous Past

Among Marilyn Monroe’s extraordinary collection, the Moon of Baroda stood out as a gem with imperial drama woven into its facets. This 24-carat canary-yellow diamond originated from India’s Golconda mines, famed for producing history’s most legendary stones. Its journey included adorning the turban of the Gaekwad of Baroda before vanishing during colonial upheavals. By the 20th century, it surfaced in America, where Harry Winston acquired it. Monroe wore the pear-cut diamond suspended from a platinum chain during the 1953 premiere of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, creating an unforgettable moment of old-world grandeur meeting Hollywood radiance. The diamond’s pale lemon hue complemented her platinum hair and fair complexion, while its size—nearly the length of her thumb—made it a bold statement piece. Unlike scripted accessories, the Moon of Baroda carried whispers of maharajas and betrayed royalty, aligning perfectly with Monroe’s own narrative of reinvention. After her death, the diamond changed hands privately until resurfacing at auctions, where it fetched millions, cementing its status as one of cinema’s most storied jewels. Its allure lies not just in its clarity or color, but in the way it symbolized Monroe’s transformative power—a stone that had weathered political storms now basked in her luminous spotlight.

Mikimoto Pearls and Diamond Fire: Crafting Marilyn’s Timeless Elegance

Marilyn Monroe mastered the art of juxtaposing innocence with allure, and nothing exemplified this duality better than her use of pearls and diamonds. Her association with Mikimoto pearls became iconic after a 1954 photo shoot where she wore a simple strand against bare skin, proving luxury needed no embellishment. These cultured pearls, pioneered by Kokichi Mikimoto, represented understated sophistication—a contrast to her often-flamboyant screen persona. Yet in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, diamonds took center stage. The film’s legendary “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” number featured Monroe in a hot-pink satin gown, dripping with diamond earrings, bracelets, and a necklace so extravagant it defined an era of Hollywood opulence. The earrings themselves were brilliant-cut studs designed to catch every studio light, making her eyes sparkle with mischievous intent. Off-screen, Monroe blended both aesthetics, pairing Mikimoto’s milky strands with diamond earrings for premieres or layering pearls with diamond brooches. This fusion created her signature look: approachable yet unattainable, delicate but daring. Her Blancpain watch, a rare departure from jewels, echoed this philosophy—a platinum cocktail timepiece studded with diamonds, auctioned decades later for over $200,000. It wasn’t just adornment; it was armour. Whether wearing a single Mikimoto Pearl or cascading diamonds, Monroe understood that jewellery whispered power in a world that heard her voice.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: How a Film Forged Marilyn’s Jewellery Legacy

When Gentlemen Prefer Blondes premiered in 1953, it didn’t just showcase Marilyn Monroe’s comedic genius—it immortalized her relationship with jewellery as cultural folklore. The film’s plot revolved around diamonds, gold diggers, and irresistible charm, blurring the lines between Monroe’s character Lorelei Lee and her own public persona. Costume designer Travilla collaborated with jewellers to create pieces that served as narrative devices: diamond tiaras symbolized faux aristocracy, ruby necklaces hinted at dangerous liaisons, and the now-legendary pink gown ensemble turned diamond earrings into co-stars. The “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” sequence, featuring Monroe surrounded by tuxedo-clad admirers, weaponized jewellery as both aspiration and critique of materialism. Yet behind the scenes, Monroe’s personal touches elevated the spectacle. She insisted on subtle adjustments, like positioning diamond brooches to highlight her décolletage or choosing larger earrings to frame her face under the klieg lights. The film’s success transformed specific pieces into blueprints for glamour; replicas of the pink-gown diamonds remain coveted today. Moreover, it cemented Monroe’s association with luxury brands—Mikimoto later credited her for boosting pearl sales in America, while jewellers vied for her endorsements. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes didn’t just feature jewellery; it revealed how Monroe wielded it as an extension of her artistry, turning gems into storytelling tools that sparkled long after the curtain fell.

Shilpa Rao

Delhi sociology Ph.D. residing in Dublin, where she deciphers Web3 governance, Celtic folklore, and non-violent communication techniques. Shilpa gardens heirloom tomatoes on her balcony and practices harp scales to unwind after deadline sprints.