The Moon of Baroda & Mikimoto Pearl: Celestial Stones Adorning Hollywood’s Star
Marilyn Monroe didn’t just wear jewellery; she imbued it with mythology. Two pieces stand out for their extraordinary histories and the way they fused with her incandescent persona: the Moon of Baroda diamond and her signature Mikimoto pearls. The Moon of Baroda was no ordinary gem. This 24.04-carat canary yellow diamond originated from India’s Golconda mines, famed for producing stones of exceptional clarity. Its journey spanned centuries, passing through Mughal emperors and the Baroda royal treasury before allegedly being seized by Napoleon. Marilyn wore it just once, pinned to her décolletage during a 1953 Photoplay Awards photoshoot. Its pale, luminous hue echoed her platinum blonde hair, creating an ethereal synergy. Though its time with her was brief, the diamond’s imperial lineage amplified Marilyn’s own ascent to cinematic royalty. Its rarity and storied past perfectly complemented the manufactured yet potent myth she was becoming.
In stark contrast to the Baroda diamond’s singular appearance, Marilyn’s relationship with Mikimoto pearls was enduring and deeply personal. Cultured pearls, pioneered by Kokichi Mikimoto, represented accessible luxury and timeless elegance. Marilyn famously declared, “Pearls are always appropriate,” and lived by this maxim. Her go-to piece was a simple, yet flawless, 16-inch Mikimoto strand. She wore them everywhere – to film sets, press events, even casually with sweaters. This wasn’t mere accessorizing; it was a deliberate styling choice. The creamy pearls softened her bombshell image, adding a touch of refined sophistication and approachability. They framed her face, drawing attention to her expressive eyes and radiant smile. Photographs of Marilyn in her Mikimoto pearls, whether laughing or in contemplative repose, became emblematic of her complex duality: vulnerable yet strong, glamorous yet relatable. The pearls became as much a part of her signature look as her red lipstick, proving that understatement could be profoundly impactful. Exploring the depth of Marilyn Monroe’s jewellery reveals how these carefully chosen pieces weren’t just adornments, but essential tools in crafting her enduring iconography.
Diamonds Sparkle, Pearls Glow: Jewellery as Storytelling in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”
No discussion of Marilyn Monroe’s jewellery legacy is complete without the glittering spectacle of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). The film wasn’t just a musical comedy; it was a masterclass in using jewellery as narrative propulsion and character definition. Marilyn, as the gold-digging (or rather, diamond-digging) Lorelei Lee, delivered the immortal anthem “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” This sequence, drenched in vibrant pink and featuring Marilyn in a stunning satin gown, became one of the most iconic in cinema history. The jewellery here was paramount. She wasn’t just wearing diamonds; she was performing with them, singing to them, embodying their cold brilliance and desirability. The diamond earrings, necklace, bracelets, and rings weren’t mere props; they were co-stars, symbols of Lorelei’s ambition and understanding of wealth as security and power.
The brilliance of the film’s costuming, led by Travilla, lay in its juxtaposition. While diamonds represented Lorelei’s ultimate goal and hard-edged ambition, pearls frequently signified her calculated charm and facade of innocent femininity. In quieter scenes, or when attempting to appear demure, Lorelei often sported elegant pearl necklaces or earrings. This visual shorthand brilliantly communicated her duality: the pearl-clad “gentleman’s ideal” masking the diamond-obsessed pragmatist. The diamond earrings featured prominently, catching the light as she fluttered her lashes or tilted her head, becoming flashing exclamation points to her dialogue. The film cemented diamonds as irrevocably linked to Marilyn’s persona in the public imagination, transforming the gemstone into a potent symbol of mid-century glamour, aspiration, and female agency (however comically portrayed). It showcased how Marilyn Monroe fashion and jewellery worked in concert to create unforgettable, culturally resonant moments.
Beyond the Spotlight: The Watches, Earrings, and Personal Touches of a Private Collection
While screen gems dazzled, Marilyn Monroe’s personal jewellery collection offered glimpses into the woman behind the icon. Unlike the extravagant pieces worn for roles, her off-screen preferences often leaned towards meaningful, sentimental, or surprisingly understated items. A prime example is her Blancpain watch. Far from the typical feminine styles of the era, Marilyn owned and cherished a stainless steel Blancpain dress watch with a black dial and a distinctive leather strap. This choice was unexpected – robust, practical, almost masculine. She wore it frequently in her private life, including during her 1954 honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio in Japan. This watch spoke volumes. It hinted at a desire for precision, perhaps punctuality amidst a chaotic life, and a taste that defied the ultra-feminine expectations placed upon her. It was a piece chosen for herself, not for an image, reflecting an independence and complexity often overshadowed by her screen persona.
Diamond earrings featured heavily in both her professional and personal wardrobes, though the context shifted dramatically. Off-screen, she favoured smaller, more delicate diamond studs or subtle button earrings rather than the large, dramatic drops seen in films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. These were likely gifts or personal acquisitions, worn for dinners, dates, or quiet moments. They added a touch of sparkle without overwhelming, aligning with her known love for simple sweaters and tight jeans when not in character. Her collection also included gold bracelets, charm pieces (including one engraved “MM” from husband Arthur Miller), and rings with personal significance. A notable piece auctioned years later was a platinum and diamond ring, a gift from Joe DiMaggio, inscribed with the words “I belong to Joe’s love”. These items, the Blancpain watch, the delicate diamond earrings, the sentimental charms, reveal a Marilyn who curated jewellery not just for the camera’s gaze, but for comfort, love, and a sense of self amidst the whirlwind of fame. They were anchors to reality in a life lived largely in the surreal glare of the spotlight.
Novosibirsk-born data scientist living in Tbilisi for the wine and Wi-Fi. Anton’s specialties span predictive modeling, Georgian polyphonic singing, and sci-fi book dissections. He 3-D prints chess sets and rides a unicycle to coworking spaces—helmet mandatory.