Marilyn Monroe's Personal Jewelry Collection Is Actually Pretty Surprising

Born Norma Jeane Mortensen (she later also used her mother's maiden name, Baker) in Los Angeles in 1926, Marilyn Monroe is, without a doubt, one of the most recognizable and mysterious stars of the 20th century. Her status as a sex symbol, her love affairs and multiple marriages, and her untimely death at 36 years old, all continue to fascinate and intrigue, even today.

She rose from being a photographer's model to become one of the most famous actresses of her time, and despite her successful career and fame, she had a surprisingly small collection of personal jewelry. Her three husbands gifted her only a few pieces between them, and she didn't purchase many notable pieces for herself. Even though she was associated with dazzling jewelry and embodied a sparkling exterior, most of what she wore was costume jewelry—rhinestones were said to be her favorite material. True to the idea that she was a more simple person than her 'Marilyn persona' portrayed, the starlet had a few treasured pieces that she wore throughout her life.

Here, Marilyn Monroe's jewelry collection—including some surprising (and iconic) pieces.

The Strand of Pearls

Marilyn Monroe's second husband and legendary baseball player, Joe DiMaggio, gifted her a 16-inch strand of Akoya cultured pearls during their 1954 honeymoon to Japan. Legend has it that the Emperor of Japan gifted them to DiMaggio, but he is said to have purchased the 44 pearls from Mikimoto. While the marriage lasted only nine months, Marilyn wore the pearls often and said they 'reminded her of happier times.' Eventually, she gifted the strand to Paula Strasberg, the wife of her acting coach and mentor, Lee Strasberg.

The Blancpain Timepiece

Marilyn's third husband, the famed playwright and author Arthur Miller, is said to have given Marilyn her 1930's platinum cocktail watch, made by Blancpain. The timepiece was set 71 round-cut white diamonds and 2 marquise-cut white diamonds and was a classic Art Deco-inspired lady's watch.

The Queen of Costume

Here, Marilyn Monroe is seen on the set of the film There's No Business Like Show Business. The actress was known for her penchant for costume jewelry—rhinestones, beads, and the like were often worn by her on and off camera. Despite her crooning the song Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, the actress was wearing paste diamonds in that scene. Marilyn's lovers did not gift her many pieces of fine jewelry, and despite her successful movie career and enormous fame, she did not purchase many for herself.

The Eternity Band

When Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio wed at a courthouse in San Francisco, he gifted her a platinum eternity band that was set with 36 baguette-cut diamonds. The story goes that he proposed spur of the moment, without an engagement ring, but gifted her a band at the courthouse the day of their wedding (pictured here). When the ring was sold by Christie's in 1999, it was missing one diamond but still fetched $772,500 at auction.

The Moon of Baroda

The Moon of Baroda, the spectacular diamond unearthed in India sometime between the 15th and 17th centuries and worn by the actress on her press tour for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, was traded between several royal families and was rumored to bring bad luck to its wearers. While the lore may or may not be true, the 24.04-carat yellow pear-shaped diamond is the largest that Marilyn Monroe wore.

You Might Also Like

• Spectacular Gifts for the Most Stylish Women in Your Life

• 16 Gorgeous Indoor Plants for Homes of All Sizes