The 40 Most Iconic Jewelry Movie Moments of All Time (2024)

Anna May Wong's glittering diamond headpiece completes her opulent wardrobe in the British-German film, Pavement Butterfly. While the diadem is iconic because of its sparkling jewels, the actress wearing it made an even larger impact on the industry as one of the very first Chinese-American stars to be cast as a romantic lead.

Silent film star Mary Pickford proves simplicity is key as she sports a single, long strand of pearls in the film, Secrets.

Audiences expected Jean Harlow to bring the glamour while starring in Dinner at Eight as a sultry, social climbing wife. The film star delivered, showing off a wrist stacked with four diamond and gemstone bracelets, laid over a white satin glove. The art deco jewels were the perfect compliment to the iconic ensemble that Harlow is remembered for.

Both onscreen and off, Mae West was typically found dripping in diamonds. So what makes her bejeweled getup in She Done Him Wrong so iconic? The famous actress actually purchased most of the jewelry in the film herself — from the chandelier diamond earrings to her wrist (and fist) full of gems. West would sell most of her jewelry to donate to the war effort, but the 1920s 40-carat diamond bracelet worn in the 1933 film remained in her collection. The stunning piece was eventually purchased by jeweler Neil Lane.

Greta Garbo was one of Hollywood's most enigmatic stars, but one thing about her that wasn't a mystery? Her jewelry in Camille was beyond enviable. For the film, Garbo paired an off-the-shoulder, tulle ballgown with a golden woven necklace and bracelet set that was both chic and classic.

Through the many lives of Scarlett O'Hara, Vivien Leigh served up many memorable looks. But when it came to jewelry, there's nothing more iconic than the oversized, Victorian cameo brooch she wore in that final scene. Frankly, my dear, we'll never forget this piece.

Carmen Miranda's wardrobe was iconic on its own, but something that really sticks out in her Week-End in Havana ensemble is her chest of layered necklaces. The colorful, beaded pieces were just one component to the singer's sensational look.

Rita Hayworth's iconic Gilda outfit was made even more glamorous by her diamond tennis necklace. The thin choker was subtle but dazzling, and made a statement against her strapless satin evening gown.

Gloria Swanson's diamond wing choker was worn as a statement piece during a harrowing and iconic scene in Sunset Boulevard. The dazzling necklace had an onscreen history both before and after the film. First, appearing in The Lady Eve on actress Barbara Stanwyck in 1941, and later gracing the neck of Zsa Zsa Gabor in the 1966 film, Picture Mommy Dead.

Central to the plot of the film, Jane Russell sports an opulent diamond necklace in The Las Vegas Story. The bauble was loaned by Cartier to RKO for the film, and cost around $150,000 in 1952.

Marilyn Monroe had already become a megastar by the time Gentlemen Prefer Blondes debuted in theaters, but the actress took her luxe image to the next level with her diamond choker, bracelets and earrings.

Grace Kelly looked elegant in a tiered diamond necklace and fringe diamond earrings while in wardrobe from the 1955 classic, To Catch a Thief. Audiences expected nothing less from the Hollywood starlet.

Audrey Hepburn's diamond chandelier tiara and earrings complimented her ornate hairstyle and Regency-era dress for the film, War and Peace. The actress costarred in the picture with her then-husband, Mel Ferrer.

Grace Kelly's diamond ring in High Society could be spotted from a mile away, but what makes the sparkler even more iconic is that it was the actress's real-life, Cartier 8-carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring. As the actress was already engaged during filming, High Society was Kelly's final film before her wedding to the Prince of Monaco.

Deborah Kerr's multi-strand pearl bracelet stands out against her tangerine coat in a memorable scene from An Affair to Remember.

Dorothy Dandridge sizzled in a pair of sapphire and silver earrings and choker while filming Island in the Sun. The jewelry was the perfect compliment to her bold, yellow sundress.

Even off camera, Elizabeth Taylor brought glitz and glamour wherever she went — so her solitaire diamond pendant was actually an understatement in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The film star topped off the chic look with a pair of pearl and diamond cluster earrings.

Audrey Hepburn's jewelry in Breakfast at Tiffany's were the pearls seen around the world. The actress wore a multiple strand pearl necklace clasped with a large diamond brooch for the iconic opening scene of the film.

Amid diamonds and pearls, don't forget about Rita Moreno's classic gold hoop earrings in West Side Story. The actress paired them with her square neck dress when she played Anita in the 1961 film.

The industry has so much to thank Cleopatra for — from Liz & Dick to Taylor's iconic wardrobe throughout the blockbuster film. Joseff of Hollywood, the jeweler behind many of Hollywood's biggest films at the time, fitted the actress in pieces like this plated gold bib necklace, chandelier earrings, and hair piece.