Legendary Gems: Moon of Baroda & The Mikimoto Pearl
Marilyn Monroe’s allure wasn’t just skin deep; it radiated through the extraordinary jewels she wore, each piece amplifying her mythic status. Among her most storied treasures was the Moon of Baroda Diamond, a 24-carat pale yellow diamond with a history as dramatic as Marilyn herself. Originating from India’s Baroda mines, this cushion-cut gem was once owned by Mughal emperors and Empress Marie-Louise of Austria. Marilyn wore it during a 1953 photoshoot with photographer Philippe Halsman, draped in gold lamé – a pairing that transformed the diamond into a symbol of Hollywood’s golden age decadence. Its faint fluorescence under ultraviolet light seemed to mirror her own ethereal glow, making it more than an accessory; it was a co-star.
Equally legendary was her association with the Mikimoto Pearl. While Marilyn owned many pearl strands, her most famous moment came during a 1954 USO tour in Korea. Wearing a simple yet devastatingly elegant Mikimoto double-strand necklace over her army fatigues, she captivated thousands of troops. This juxtaposition – delicate pearls against military grit – became an iconic image of feminine resilience. The Mikimoto Pearl strands she favored weren’t mere ornaments; they were strategic elements of her “girl-next-door-goddess” persona, blending innocence with sophistication. Mikimoto’s flawless akoya pearls represented timeless luxury, a quality Marilyn embodied in every public appearance.
These pieces transcended typical celebrity jewellery. The Moon of Baroda whispered of empire and conquest, while the Mikimoto pearls spoke of refined elegance. Together, they showcased Marilyn’s unique ability to inhabit contradictions: vulnerable yet invincible, approachable yet unattainable. Auction records and collectors still chase provenance linked to her, proving these jewels weren’t just worn by an icon – they became extensions of her legacy. When Marilyn accessorized, she didn’t just wear history; she rewrote it with every shimmer.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Diamonds, Satire & Screen Immortality
No film cemented Marilyn Monroe’s relationship with jewellery more indelibly than Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). As Lorelei Lee, the gold-digging showgirl with a heart of diamonds, Marilyn delivered a masterclass in how baubles could drive narrative and define character. The film’s centerpiece was, unquestionably, the “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” number. Swathed in hot-pink satin and dripping with diamond earrings, a layered diamond necklace, and a blinding diamond bracelet, Marilyn didn’t just sing about luxury – she became its living embodiment. The costume, designed by William Travilla, used over 2,500 hand-sewn rhinestones to create the illusion of extraordinary wealth, a visual metaphor for Lorelei’s ambitions.
Beyond the spectacle, the film cleverly weaponized jewellery as satire. Lorelei’s obsession with gems mocked postwar materialism while simultaneously celebrating it. Her wide-eyed declaration, “I can tell by the *feel*,” when assessing a diamond’s authenticity, blurred the line between naiveté and cunning. The jewellery served as Lorelei’s armour and currency, a theme mirrored in Marilyn’s own life, where gifts from admirers often symbolized complex personal and professional transactions. The film’s prop pieces, though not always real diamonds, achieved legendary status. The elaborate diamond choker from the musical number remains one of the most replicated costume jewels in cinema history.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes transformed Marilyn’s public persona. It solidified her as the ultimate blonde bombshell whose power derived, in part, from her understanding of jewellery’s symbolic weight. The film’s enduring influence is seen in countless homages, from Madonna’s “Material Girl” video to modern red-carpet styling. It proved that jewellery, in Marilyn’s hands, wasn’t just decorative; it was narrative dynamite, capable of conveying ambition, desire, and a sharp, often overlooked, intelligence beneath the glittering surface.
Beyond the Spotlight: Watches, Diamonds & Personal Adornment
While screen roles showcased flamboyant pieces, Marilyn Monroe’s personal jewellery collection revealed nuanced facets of her taste. Her diamond stud diamond earrings were a quieter signature. Often worn off-duty with sweaters or simple dresses, these understated studs highlighted her features without overwhelming them. They represented a departure from her screen glamour, hinting at a private appreciation for classic elegance. These weren’t mere accessories; they were daily armour, a touch of sparkle she controlled, contrasting with the elaborate studio-lent pieces defining her public image.
Perhaps the most unexpected treasure was her Blancpain watch. A refined, rectangular timepiece gifted by Joe DiMaggio, it symbolized a different kind of value – sentiment over spectacle. Its sleek, almost masculine design contrasted sharply with the flamboyant gems she wore on screen. This watch wasn’t about being seen; it was about personal significance, marking moments away from the camera’s glare. Its presence in her collection underscores that Marilyn’s relationship with jewels encompassed both the performative and the profoundly personal.
Her influence on Marilyn Monroe fashion remains seismic, and jewellery was its exclamation point. She masterfully mixed high and faux, real diamonds with convincing rhinestones, proving impact mattered more than intrinsic value. Designers like Travilla and Jean Louis collaborated closely with her, understanding how a strategically placed brooch or cascading earrings could sculpt a silhouette or draw focus. Her penchant for layering delicate necklaces or wearing a single, dramatic bracelet pioneered trends still emulated. Monroe understood jewellery’s power to transform not just an outfit, but an entire persona – from vulnerable ingenue to powerhouse seductress – with the clasp of a necklace or the flash of a diamond. Her style legacy lies in this alchemy: turning metal and stone into pure, enduring charisma.
Fortaleza surfer who codes fintech APIs in Prague. Paulo blogs on open-banking standards, Czech puppet theatre, and Brazil’s best açaí bowls. He teaches sunset yoga on the Vltava embankment—laptop never far away.