When Diamonds Are A Film's Best Friend

Diamonds have lit up some of Hollywood's most famous films and in most cases, a striking sparkler is what made a scene so unforgettable.

Few could forget Kate Winslet's character Rose DeWitt Bukater dropping her one-of-a-kind blue diamond in the sea in Titanic. Equally famously, Marilyn Monroe stole the show singing about her love for the gemstones in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1953.

Here’s our take on some of the most remarkable diamond jewellery in movies.

Pretty Woman (1990)

Julia Roberts' ruby and diamond necklace

In Pretty Woman Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) presented Vivian (Julia Roberts) with a ruby and diamond wreath necklace, custom-made at a reputed cost of almost £2.5 million - in a blue velvet box. The scene shows the actress trapping her fingers in the box when Lewis snaps it shut. Originally that was just a practical joke on Ms Roberts but her reaction was so enchanting it was kept in the film and her endearing laugh made the famous movie scene what it is today.

Oceans 8 (2018)

Sandra Bullock and the 'Jeanne Touissant'; necklace

Upon her release from prison, Debbie (Sandra Bullock), the estranged sister of legendary conman Danny Ocean (George Clooney), puts together a team of unstoppable crooks to pull of the heist of the century. Their goal is New York City's annual Met Gala, and a necklace worth in excess of $150 million. The piece in question in the film is called the Jeanne Touissant - although the movie version is a prop. The real necklace, designed by Jaques Cartier in 1931 for the Maharaja of Nawangar, did not have a name and no longer exists.

Titanic (1997)

Kate WInslet and the Heart of the Ocean 'diamond'

Few who saw it could forget the beautiful blue, heart-shaped diamond Kate Winslet’s character wore in Titanic. The story behind the diamond, which was dubbed the Heart of the Ocean, is that the unique gemstone once belonged to King Louis XVI and was made into a heart after the French Revolution. Even though the necklace was a prop in the film, a replica was made using 170-carat sapphire and 65 diamonds that weighed 30 carats.

At the 1998 Academy Awards, singer Celine Dion wore the spectacular necklace (above) during her performance of the Titanic theme song, My Heart Will Go On. Before the performance, the replica was later sold at a charity auction for  £1.4 million.

Blood and Wine (1996)

Jack Nicolson with the stunning diamond

The 1996 Blood and Wine thriller featured Jack Nicolson getting into trouble after he attempts to steal a diamond necklace worth £650,000. The formerly wealthy wine merchant finds himself in debt and in his desperation for money plans to steal his client’s spectacular jewels including one of the most extravagant pieces of jewellery ever seen on screen.

Sex and the City 2 (2010)

Mr Big pops the question

It was such a special moment for Sex and the City’s, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) – the love of her life, Mr Big finally popped the question. Even though it took six seasons and two movies before the proposal happened, it was worth the wait.

Mr Big made the moment unforgettable by proposing with a large black diamond engagement ring (above) - which became one of the most memorable engagement rings in cinema history.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Kate Hudson and the yellow diamond pendant

The romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is about two people falling in love, but it’s also about the beauty of a diamond and what it represents. At the end of the film, Kate Hudson’s character receives an 84-carat yellow diamond pendant, the "Isadora Duncan", worth £3.4 million. In reality, the necklace was created by US jeweller Harry Winston.

Affair of the Necklace (2001)

Hilary Swank and the necklace

The entire movie revolves around a lavish diamond necklace that Louis XV gave his mistress, Madame du Barry. In the movie, Hilary Swank’s character, Jeanne de Saint-Rémy de Valois, who was orphaned as a child tries to reclaim her royalty. This includes getting her hands on the famous necklace, worth an estimated £4 million.

Moulin Rouge (2001)

Nicole Kidman and Stefano Canturi necklace

The necklace worn by Nicole Kidman was made of real diamonds and platinum and was specifically created for the film. The Stefano Canturi necklace featured 1,308 diamonds weighing a total of 134 carats and was worth an estimated £825,000.

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Audrey Hepburn with huge diamond and pearl necklace

In this classic, Audrey Hepburn stars as Holly Golightly alongside what can only be described as an enormous diamond and pearl necklace.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) 

Marilyn Monroe and the diamond in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

The 1953 remake of the stage musical, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes became one of the most iconic films of all time after Marilyn Monroe’s character Lorelei Lee sang Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. The film also became unforgettable for the spectacular 24-carat, pear-shaped diamond on a necklace Monroe wore during the film. 

From the Heart of the Ocean in Titanic all the way to Marilyn Monroe's giant sparkler in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Hollywood has had thing for diamonds for decades. Perhaps that's no surprise - glitz and glamour go hand in hand with  movies so, naturally, diamonds have played central roles in wardrobes and plot lines throughout the history of film. 

We'd love to know what your favourite film jewellery is so please drop us a line at https://www.ogdenharrogate.co.uk/pages/contact-us

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