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Famous women and their jewelry are captivating not just because of their carats or price. The most memorable pieces of jewelry have a story behind them: some were gifts of love, others have been passed down from generation to generation, and still others were merely borrowed briefly for a photo shoot but went on to become part of pop culture. The jewelry of Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana, Beyoncé, and other women illustrates this perfectly.
| Woman | Iconic Jewelry | What makes it special? |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Taylor | 33.19 ct “Elizabeth Taylor Diamond” | A gift from Richard Burton and one of Hollywood’s most famous jewelry collections |
| Audrey Hepburn | 128.54 ct “Tiffany Diamond” | Worn while promoting “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” but it did not belong to her |
| Princess Diana / Catherine | 12 ct blue sapphire ring | A family heirloom passed down to the next generation |
| Beyoncé | 18 ct emerald-cut diamond ring | An engagement ring designed by Lorraine Schwartz |
| Queen Elizabeth II | Vladimir tiara | Interchangeable pearl and emerald pendants, with a long royal history |
| Marilyn Monroe | Diamond ring and Mikimoto pearls | Her personal collection was much more modest than her on-screen image |
When it comes to famous women and luxurious jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor is one of the most striking examples. Her collection included:
However, it wasn’t just the size of the collection that mattered. Many of the pieces were linked to specific people and events in her life.
One of her most famous pieces of jewelry is a 33.19-carat diamond, formerly known as the “Krupp Diamond.” Richard Burton gave it to Elizabeth Taylor in 1968. The diamond is:
Taylor wore this ring very often. After her death in 2011, it was sold at a Christie’s auction for $8,818,500.
No less impressive was La Peregrina—a historic 16th-century pearl. Richard Burton gave it to Elizabeth Taylor as a gift in 1969. Later, the pearl was incorporated into a necklace designed by Cartier, featuring pearls, rubies, and diamonds. In 2011, this piece of jewelry sold at auction for more than $11.8 million.
Elizabeth Taylor’s story clearly illustrates why a gem’s value isn’t determined solely by its specifications. Provenance—the clearly documented history of a piece of jewelry and its previous owners—is also important.
Audrey Hepburn’s connection to Tiffany & Co. became so strong that even today it might seem as though the legendary yellow “Tiffany Diamond” was part of the actress’s collection. Audrey wore it in promotional photographs for the 1961 film *Breakfast at Tiffany’s*.
The diamond:
Audrey wore it set in the “Ribbon Rosette” necklace designed by Jean Schlumberger. This story is significant for one reason: the iconic connection between a person and a piece of jewelry does not necessarily imply ownership. Sometimes a single photo shoot creates a stronger association than a piece of jewelry personally owned for decades.
In 1981, Princess Diana chose a design by Garrard for her engagement ring. At its center is an oval-shaped blue Ceylon sapphire weighing approximately 12 carats, surrounded by 14 individual round diamonds. The ring is crafted from 18-karat white gold.
It is exceptional not only because of the sapphire. Diana chose a design that could be ordered from the Garrard catalog, rather than a one-of-a-kind piece created exclusively for her. This was an unusual choice for the royal family.
In 2010, Prince William proposed to Catherine Middleton with the very same ring. Thus, the piece gained another layer of history. Today, it is no longer just Princess Diana’s engagement ring—it is also a family heirloom, passed down from one generation to the next.
Beyoncé’s engagement ring was designed by the renowned American jeweler Lorraine Schwartz. At its center is an approximately 18-carat emerald-cut diamond. Jay-Z proposed with it in 2008.
Despite the massive center diamond, the overall design is quite understated. The main focal point is the large emerald-cut diamond. The emerald cut features large, stepped facets, giving it a completely different aesthetic than that of a round brilliant cut.
If you’re interested in the differences between oval, emerald, princess, and other cuts, we discuss them in more detail in the guide “Diamond Cuts: How to Choose?”.
When discussing the British monarch’s jewelry, it’s very easy to confuse two categories: personal or family jewelry and the Crown Jewels. For example, the famous Cullinan I diamond is set in the monarch’s scepter and belongs to the Crown Jewels collection. Therefore, it should not generally be referred to as Elizabeth II’s “personal diamond.”
A much better example of her personal style is the Grand Duchess Vladimir tiara. It was created for the Russian Grand Duchess Vladimir around the 1870s. In 1921, Queen Mary acquired the tiara, and Elizabeth II inherited it in 1953. A unique feature of the tiara is that it can be worn:
It is precisely this transformable design that has helped the tiara become one of Queen Elizabeth II’s most recognizable evening accessories.
Another story in Queen Elizabeth II’s jewelry collection involves two enormous diamonds cut from the famous Cullinan. The Cullinan III weighs 94.40 carats, and the Cullinan IV weighs 63.60 carats. Queen Mary wore them together as a brooch, and in 1953, the stones passed to Elizabeth II. Within the royal family, they were given an unexpectedly informal nickname: “Granny’s Chips.”
Marilyn Monroe is perhaps the best example of why a celebrity’s public image should not be confused with their personal jewelry collection. “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” made her one of the greatest diamond icons in pop culture. However, her personal collection of luxury jewelry was quite small. Items associated with Marilyn include:
Meanwhile, famous stones such as the “Moon of Baroda” did not belong to her—they were loaned to her for public appearances or advertising. Read more: “Marilyn Monroe’s Personal Jewelry Collection”.
One of the most famous was the 33.19-carat “Elizabeth Taylor Diamond,” which Richard Burton gave her as a gift in 1968. In 2011, it sold at a Christie’s auction for more than $8.8 million.
No. Audrey Hepburn wore the 128.54-carat “Tiffany Diamond” in promotional photos for the movie *Breakfast at Tiffany’s*. The diamond remained the property of Tiffany & Co.
The center of the ring features an approximately 12-carat oval-shaped blue Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by 14 round diamonds.
The center of Beyoncé’s ring features an approximately 18-carat emerald-cut diamond. The ring was designed by Lorraine Schwartz.
No. A distinction must be made between private and family jewelry and the Crown Jewels. For example, the Cullinan I is set in the monarch’s scepter and is part of the Crown Jewels collection.
When looking at the most famous women, one common theme emerges—we remember best the pieces of jewelry that have a story behind them. Sometimes it’s an extraordinarily rare 33-carat diamond. Other times, it’s a sapphire ring passed down through the family. Yet another is a diamond that an actress wore for just one photo shoot, but whose image became part of cultural history.
That’s why, when choosing your own piece of jewelry, there’s no need to chase after the carats of celebrities. It’s much more important to choose a stone, a design, and a story that will mean something to you. Browse “Auksinės Svajonės” premium jewelry with gemstones or create a custom piece based on your own idea.
