The Women Who Made Diamonds Irresistible

Diamonds and desirability seem to pair together naturally. De Beers helped cement the public’s desire for diamonds with their famous slogan from 1947, “A diamond is forever.”

But it was Hollywood’s legendary blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe who brought the desire for diamonds to life. Monroe’s glamor and passion for diamonds were embodied in the 1953 smash-hit Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. In her breathiest come-hither voice, Monroe purred, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” and the whole world became believers.

Something Fancy About Color Diamonds

The ultra-rare fancy color diamonds have also mesmerized diamond enthusiasts for as long as they’ve been mined. In particular, yellow diamonds have been spreading their stunning brilliance for centuries, ever since their first discovery.  

For example, the legendary 24.04 carat Moon of Baroda Fancy Yellow pear shape diamond mined in Golconda (now Hyderabad), India, between the 15th and 17th centuries connected the rich history of yellow diamonds some 500 years earlier to Marilyn Monroe's timeless aura.

The Moon of Baroda had been in the private collection of Indian Maharajas for centuries. Then in the 1950s, Detroit jeweler Meyer Rosenbaum acquired it. Its sexy shape and canary blonde tint was the perfect accessory for Marilyn Monroe while promoting Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Marilyn Monroe with The Moon of Baroda

Looking back, it’s clear that Marilyn Monroe was perhaps the most iconic promoter of diamonds. Her song "Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend" and glamorous image solidified the association between diamonds and luxury, making her one of the most influential figures to ever promote diamonds. 

Golconda for the Win

In the earliest years of their discovery, all diamonds came from Golconda, India. They were remarkable for their Type II grading, meaning they were pure carbon and devoid of nitrogen.

They were also celebrated for their unusually large sizes and high clarity. The name Golconda became synonymous with incomparable diamonds.

And it was also home to the finest fancy color diamonds.

The 31.06 carat Fancy Deep Blue IF diamond now called the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, the 45.52 carat Hope Diamond, the 41 carat Dresden Green all originated in Golconda, India.

Celebrities & Their Jewels

Another 20th-century personality known for her love of diamonds was screen siren Elizabeth Taylor. She was frequently seen wearing some of the world’s rarest diamonds. Her passion for yellow diamonds, along with her high-profile lifestyle, made her an unforgettable promoter of diamond jewelry.

Elizabeth Taylor is wearing her 33.19 carat Krupp diamond

Elizabeth Taylor is wearing her 33.19 carat Krupp diamond, renamed the Burton Taylor Diamond.

Taylor, an astute art collector, learned about color and design from an early age. She began coordinating her jewelry with designer apparel, frequently choosing Dior or Valentino. “She knew that’s what people wanted to see---her jewelry,” reported a Vanity Fair article.

Once she selected her gems, she’d inform the designer about the color she wanted. So the designer would offer four to six sketches based on her directions. Taylor, it was said, loved the whole process of color and design.

When she won the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 1993 Academy Awards, she appeared in a yellow Valentino creation accessorized by a Van Cleef & Arpels yellow diamond daisy suite: earrings, necklace, and brooch.

Animal Magnetism

Another renowned jewelry collector was Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. She had an impeccable eye for haute bijoux and a sophisticated taste for whimsical jewels—particularly those depicting animals. She married Edward VIII, who famously abdicated the British throne in favor of his love of her. They spent the rest of their lives living luxuriously, albeit in exile from England. Her storied collection included prestigious jewelry from great houses like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston.

Here are a few highlights from her collection: 

• The Panther Bracelet by Cartier (1952):

This is one of the Duchess's most iconic pieces from her vast collection. The bracelet features two panther heads meeting at the front center of the bangle. Created in platinum with diamonds and onyx, it is fully articulated, allowing it to wrap around the wrist with lifelike movement. It became a symbol of her recognizably distinct style.

The Panther Bracelet by Cartier (1952)

• The Prince of Wales Brooch (1935):

This brooch, depicting three long feathers gathered by a crown, was a gift from Edward VIII, who was Prince of Wales at the time. Created by Cartier and encrusted with diamonds, it reflected their enduring love and his sacrifices to be with her.

The Prince of Wales Brooch (1935)

• Ruby and Diamond Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels (1939):

This jewel covered collar is a dazzling example of the duchess's preference for bold, colorful jewelry. Composed of rubies and surrounded by diamonds, it is set in platinum.

It was a gift from Edward VIII, to commemorate their first wedding anniversary. 

Ruby and Diamond Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels (1939)

• The Flamingo Brooch by Cartier (1940):

This whimsical piece features a flamingo enveloped in diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.

It demonstrates the Duchess's love for animals and her affinity for unique and playful designs.

The Flamingo Brooch by Cartier (1940)

• The Windsor Heart Brooch (1957)

The sentimental heart-shaped brooch by Cartier is set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds. It was given to Wallis by the Duke of Windsor to commemorate their 20th wedding anniversary. A touching inscription reads "My Wallis from her David, 20.VI.58."

When the Duchess of Windsor's collection went to auction at Sotheby's in 1987, it fetched an astounding $53.5 million, setting a record at the time for a single-owner jewelry sale. The collection's value was not just in the jewels of course. It also reflected historical significance and the fascination of royal watchers for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. 

This extraordinary collection remains iconic in the world of high jewelry for its luxury and for its symbolism of a love story that changed the course of British history.

 

Diamonds Now 

Her status as a global superstar and trendsetter has had a profound impact on how diamonds are perceived today.

Beyonce is wearing Tiffany & Co.’s historic 128.54-carat yellow diamond

A fresh, young face radiating an easy smile was Gal Gadot, who became Tiffany's hostess at the flagship store's opening gala on Fifth Avenue in New York.

It was the party to end all parties with its glamorous ambiance. This was the place and the event where sizzling diamonds sparkled all around the globe.

We join in celebrating famous and glamorous jewelry that radiates with magnificent color. Stones like yellow diamonds and rich red rubies—actually, all precious gemstones—still take our breath away.

At LEIBISH—we live in a world of color!