The 10 Most Iconic Jewellery Movie Moments of All Time

• Moulin Rouge (2001)
• The Great Gatsby (2013)
• To Catch a Thief (1955)
• Gentlemen Prefer Blonds (1953)
• Cleopatra (1963)
• Pretty Woman (1990)
• Titanic (1997)
• Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)
• How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (2003)
• High Society
• Think you may have some jewellery stashed away? 

There's nothing actors - and viewers alike love more than some big-screen bling. And those with a keen eye for jewellery will know certain films sparkle more than others. In this list, we bring you Old Hollywood starlets dripping in diamonds to modern movie icons donning the jewels. But which actress showed off her real-life, diamond engagement ring while in character? Which infamous necklace was really a dupe of the real thing? These are the 10 most iconic jewellery moments in movie history.

Moulin Rouge (2001)

The stunning diamond choker-style necklace, gifted by the Duke of Monroth (Richard Roxbrough) to Satine (Nicole Kidman) in the opulent and extravagant 2001 film, Moulin Rouge was inspired by 1800’s Paris and designed by Australian jeweller, Stefano Canturi. 

Set in an intricate lace design, the diamond choker was handcrafted in 18k white gold and set with a total of 1308 diamonds - the largest stone being a 5-carat emerald cut diamond. This piece is one of the most expensive ever made for a film and is currently worth approximately £1 million.   

The Great Gatsby (2013)

As far as headpieces go, we couldn’t be more in love with Daisy’s (Carey Mulligan) headpiece in The Great Gatsby. This piece wasn’t created specifically for the film, having already belonged to the Tiffany & Co archives and loaned to the production for the iconic party scene at Gatsby’s house. 

This piece was chosen as the high-quality diamonds and pearls used to craft the headpiece reflect the 1920s jazz age perfectly.

To Catch a Thief (1955)

Audiences expected nothing but glamour from Hollywood starlet, Grace Kelly who didn't disappoint in a stunning tiered diamond necklace for the 1955 Hitchcock classic, To Catch a Thief.  

Interestingly, the necklace influences the plot of the movie when it is revealed as a fake and used to lure former jewel thief John Robie (Cary Grant). Legend has it the real necklace was also an imitation and loaned for filming for just $75. 

Gentlemen Prefer Blonds (1953)

This iconic necklace from the 1955 hit, Gentleman Prefer Blonds was worn by Marilyn Monroe as she sang the classic Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend. 

Much like the necklace in To Catch a Thief, the plot sees this necklace also revealed as a fake. However, the filmmakers opted to use the original, yellow-diamond necklace for promotional purposes. The pear-shaped diamond was first discovered in the mines of Golconda, India, and once belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette. It was auctioned for $1.3 million in 2018.

Cleopatra (1963)

We couldn’t make this list without mentioning Elizabeth Taylor.  Throughout her 1963 movie, Cleopatra, Taylor was completely adorned with gold-plated jewels. From more simple pieces like her iconic snake cuff to more extravagant, full-bodied pieces like the bib necklace, hair piece and chandelier earring combo (above). 

Although the pieces are not as valuable as most iconic pieces, they are still beautifully crafted and just as infamous. 

Pretty Woman (1990)

Who could forget Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) gifting Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) with this incredible necklace in the iconic 1990 rom-com, Pretty Woman? The beautiful piece crafted by French goldsmith, Fred Joaillier consists of 23 pear-cut rubies set in diamond-encrusted hearts and is currently worth about $1.35 million. 

Due to the film's smaller budget of $14 million, the costume department were unable to purchase the piece, so the jeweller kindly lent the necklace to the film. Due to the price tag, it came complete with an armoured guard. 

Titanic (1997)

Arguably one of the most well-known pieces of jewellery in cinema history is Titanic's The Heart of the Ocean necklace. Despite the film's narrative that the necklace was made with real diamonds, it was in fact made with zircons, fashioned into white gold. However, if the piece had been crafted with real diamonds it is estimated that it would have been worth over $500 million! 

The piece was made by London jewellers, Asprey & Garrard who took their inspiration from 3 famous diamonds in French history: The Marie Antoinette Bleu, The Regent, and The Hope Diamond. 

Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)

In the unlikelihood that you haven’t seen this classic film, everyone will recognise the iconic snapshot of Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) standing at the window of Tiffany & Co, sipping coffee, eating croissant and wearing the 5-strand choker pearl necklace, clasped together with a huge diamond brooch.

 This incredible Breakfast At Tiffany’s jewellery item has formed one of the most well-known images in movie history. 

How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (2003)

Rom-com IT girl Kate Hudson wears a stunning 84-carat yellow diamond necklace in the 2003 hit, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. The piece, crafted by Harry Winston, also contains an extravagant circle of white diamonds and is estimated to be worth $5.3 million. 

This diamond was so special, it inspired the now-iconic yellow dress which Hudson wears with the necklace in the final scenes of the movie.  

High Society

A sparkling end to an already glamorous list, the beautiful Cartier ring worn by Hollywood starlet, Grace Kelly in High Society featured a 10.47-carat diamond and was set in a platinum frame. 

Unlike most of the other pieces, Kelly’s ring wasn’t made specifically for the movie, it belonged to her and was actually the engagement ring given to her by Prince Rainier lll. 

Think you may have some jewellery stashed away? 

While you may not have a necklace worth $500 million tucked away anywhere (one can dream!) You may have lots of other valuable jewellery which you may not want or need anymore. At Vintage Cash Cow, we take your unwanted vintage items (including all types of jewellery, even broken or tangled) and make you a cash offer within 3 days. Click here to order your free starter pack. And who knows, maybe your old string of pearls might make it into the next Hollywood blockbuster!

Edited by Emily Roesler & Natalie Miller