9 celebrity jewellery looks that made a statement
In Hollywood, jewellery isn’t merely an accessory to a stunning dress. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings are headline-makers, power plays and cinematic close-ups in their own right. One well-placed bauble can electrify a red carpet, revive a career or become etched in pop culture lore. Whether draped in archival diamonds from a storied maison or adorned with a prized heirloom from a private collection, these iconic celebrity jewellery moments didn’t just dazzle—they defined eras, rewrote style codes and made history alongside the stars who wore them.
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Elizabeth Taylor’s La Peregrina Pearl
Given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton in 1969, this 16th-century tear-shaped pearl (previously owned by Spanish royalty) was famously found rolling under the couch after Taylor’s dog mistook it for a toy. It was later reset into a Cartier necklace with diamonds and rubies, and became one of Taylor’s most cherished jewels. When sold at auction in 2011, it fetched over US$11 million. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most iconic celebrity jewellery of all time.
Audrey Hepburn’s Tiffany & Co pearls in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ launched numerous celebrity jewellery moments (Photo: IMDB)
Nothing says “iconic” like Audrey Hepburn gazing into a Tiffany’s window in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The multi-strand pearl necklace she wore with a Givenchy black dress wasn’t hers, but it cemented Tiffany & Co’s place in pop culture and made pearls eternally chic. It also introduced the idea of fine jewellery as aspirational, cinematic luxury.
Lady Gaga’s Tiffany & Co diamond at the Oscars (2019)
When Lady Gaga stepped onto the red carpet wearing the legendary 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond—previously worn only by Mary Whitehouse (at the 1957 Tiffany Ball) and Audrey Hepburn (for Breakfast at Tiffany’s promos)—she gave the historic yellow diamond its most modern moment yet. Styled with black gloves and an Alexander McQueen gown, it was a homage and a power play all at once.
Rihanna’s Chopard diamonds at Cannes (2017)
Rihanna shut down the Cannes red carpet in custom Chopard—including a watch reimagined as a choker. The look wasn’t just stunning—it marked the launch of her co-designed Rihanna ♥ Chopard collection and redefined red carpet jewellery as edgy, fashion-forward and layered, not just traditional.
Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring (1981)
Chosen by Diana from a Garrard catalogue (not custom-made), the 12-carat sapphire surrounded by diamonds was controversial for its “off-the-rack” accessibility. It later became one of the most globally iconic celebrity jewellery pieces, and even more so when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with the same ring in 2010. It is now arguably the most famous engagement ring in the world.
Beyoncé’s Lorraine Schwartz diamonds at the Met Gala (2014)
Paired with her sheer Givenchy gown, Beyoncé’s black diamond chandelier earrings were a high-drama highlight of the 2014 Met Gala. Lorraine Schwartz and Beyoncé have a long-standing relationship, and this jaw-dropping look proved that diamonds can be as daring as they are dazzling.
Marilyn Monroe’s diamonds in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ (1953)
Celebrity jewellery doesn’t have to feature gold carats and flawless diamonds to make an impact.
While the dazzling diamond necklace Marilyn wore in the “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” number wasn’t real, the scene remains one of the most referenced jewellery moments in film history. The fantasy of diamonds as a girl’s ultimate bestie is forever imprinted on pop culture.
Kim Kardashian’s Lorraine Schwartz diamond ring (2016)
Valued at over US$4 million, the 20-carat ring Kanye West gave Kim became notorious after it was stolen during a Paris robbery. It was a defining piece of the Kardashian jewellery narrative—jaw-dropping, headline-making and inseparable from celebrity security discourse.
See more: Happy birthday, Kim Kardashian: Here’s how the influencer built her business empire
Zendaya’s Bulgari emerald suite at the Venice Film Festival (2021)
As a Bulgari ambassador, Zendaya has delivered major celebrity jewellery moments, but her appearance at the Venice Film Festival wearing an emerald and diamond Bulgari suite with a sculptural Balmain gown was peak modern goddess. It showed how a Gen Z star can carry—and redefine—heritage jewels for a new era.
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