Marilyn Monroe

Here is a diamond legend and myth,  Marilyn did not have diamonds.  Mostly she had costume jewelry.  Her private collection had only 2 valuable pieces.  An eternity ring and a strand of pearls, both give to her by Joe DiMaggio.

Marilyn did help promote the diamond industry in her many appearances wearing diamonds loaned to her by top jewelers.  She received an award by the Jewelry Academy, the award is inscribed: To Marilyn Monroe, the best friend a diamond ever had.

When Marilyn and Joe married in 1954 her diamond wedding band was an eternity band with 25 baguette-cut diamonds.  It sold at auction for $772,500 (even with a missing stone) to an anonymous bidder.

The infamous glittering "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" gown (Gotta Have It!  Collectibles purchased the gown for $1,267,500)

The necklace was given to Marilyn on her honeymoon in Japan, it was a 16 inch strand of pearls, with 44 Mikimoto pearls.

Marilyn gave the necklace to Paula Strasberg.  Paula's daughter Susan Strasberg returned it to Mikimoto in 1998.