A costume-jewelry set consisting of a matching bracelet and earrings that was worn by Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is up for auction on eBay, with an asking of just over $415,000. Among the lots successfully auctioned off included a silk polka-dot dress she wore in 1955’s The Seven Year Itch with a handwritten ‘M.Monroe’ label. With that, it’s a fitting outfit for the iconic sequence in which Lorelei performs the number Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. Her most famous costume from the movie – a pink strapless dress with an over-the-top diamond choker and chunky diamond bracelets necklace – plays into the bombshell side of the persona. In reality, the actress, who died from a barbiturate overdose at age 36, had a much more complicated inner life than aesthetic stereotypes would have onlookers believe. This is far from the first pricey item to come up for sale related to Marilyn Monroe’s astronomically larger-than-life legacy. Acting as Lorelei, Marilyn easily embodied the archetype of the footloose, good-hearted gold digger with an unabashedly insatiable appetite for orchids, champagne and especially precious stones. The seller is Los Angeles-based Continental Coin & Jewelry Co., billed as one of the largest coin and jewelry sellers on the West Coast. But the description also discloses that some of the stones are missing. Elsewhere on eBay currently, a scale said to be owned by the movie star is listed for just under $30,000. You wouldn’t marry a girl just because she’s pretty, but my goodness, doesn’t it help? Addressing the father’s not-unfounded concern that her main interest in his son is for his money, Lorelei quips in the scene: ‘Don’t you know that a man being rich is like a girl being pretty? Her character, Lorelei, a showgirl who has no qualms about voicing her desire to marry into wealth, is aware that others may judge her to be something of an airhead because of her outward appearance – and plays into this stereotype when it serves her best interests in the moment. But, in the scene where she’s speaking to her lover’s father, the navy-blue dress and more toned-down costume accessories that are up for sale are more reflective of her inner business savvy as she makes her case to her future father-in-law. As she puts it at one point in the film: ‘I can be smart when it’s important. The item of clothing sold for nearly $200,000. Observing the photos, at least three of the blue gems in the necklace have been lost. In the 1953 film, Marilyn dons the jewelry with a belted, navy-blue dress in a climactic scene in which she sways her fiancé’s wealthy father to give his blessing to the union.
Sterling Silver Brooch
If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant.
Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story.
The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. So she decided to make her own. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver (visit this page) or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver.
It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling.
Each piece of jewellery is created from start to finish within a small area of North London.
Inspired by a wealth of artisans selling beautiful jewellery on her travels around Asia, Edge of Ember was born. The collection includes base earrings and chains, complemented by a range of interchangeable statement pendants to customise your look. Cult of Youth is a London-based silver jewellery brand founded by Kelly Seymour in 2011. The brand started out on a stall at Portobello Market, before being picked up by Urban Outfitters and sold at its stores. The Cult of Youth collection has since expanded to include on-trend, fashionable jewels with a rock ‘n’ roll edge at accessible price points. With dual Mauritian-Trinidadian heritage and London roots, the co-founder’s mission is to create inspired, authentic, and expressive jewellery made with a conscience. Stellar 79 is a British demi-fine jewellery brand created by sisters Natasha and Sheena. Deborah is very mindful that the business be as sustainable as possible, and so she uses recycled silver and gold in all of the pieces. These stories of romance, travel and history were the founding concept behind Carousel Jewels: modern jewellery that takes us back. Designs are hand crafted through the process of lost wax casting in her studio, and stone setting takes place nearby in Hatton garden. London-based jewellery designer, Deborah Blyth began designing in 2004, whilst living in Italy. The sisters draw inspiration from their combined passion for art, fashion, travel, music, and culture across the South Asian diaspora to unify and celebrate cultural heritage and nostalgia with the present day. Founder Sally Louise was inspired by the films of grandparents’ time, from Casablanca to Gone with the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia. Her passion for the arts and love of nature combined to influence her process, which finds beauty in imperfections. In 2015, the brand shifted tack as Seymour gave birth to her son, Elvis, and started to document her life as a single mother, entrepreneur and jeweller. Each piece of jewellery is created from start to finish within a small area of North London. A silver letter necklace spelling out MAMA became a bestseller, and this motif has been applied to new styles including rings and lockets. Harfi’s mission is to bring affordable, demi-fine jewellery to shoppers, working directly with its artisan partners.