By Donna Jolly, RJ
Ask someone which movies stand out as films with memorable jewelry, and chances are, there are a few titles that are likely to be mentioned: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blonds,” “Titanic” (the most recent version) or “Pretty Woman.”
While we love those movies and have featured the jewelry from some of them in our own content, we’d like to offer up three alternatives with great jewelry in movies that are either classic or are on their way to classic status.
Gone with the Wind
Remember this brooch? Frankly, my dear, you should. It is from the final, unforgettable scene where Rhett calls it quits with Scarlett. Even in moments of distress (especially in those moments), Scarlett O’Hara is in full no-surrender mode with this look-at-me brooch. The brooch has been replicated over the decades for Gone with the Wind diehards. This iconic piece actually comes from costume designer Walter Plunkett’s mother’s personal collection. Art imitates life—and in this case, literally borrowed from life.
Gone with the Wind is one of the most classic movies of all time, and knowing that something personal and beloved from Plunkett’s own life is actually a piece of the movie is even more special.
Girl with a Pearl Earring
The earring in the movie was a creation of Dien van Strallen, the film’s costume designer. There is something about a big dollop of a pearl, though, that is as timeless as it is beautiful. Also, we love Vermeer and his moody strokes of color and shadow.
The great artist and his painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring, inspired this beautiful movie. There is a mystery surrounding the model in the painting. In the movie, she is fictionally portrayed as the family’s maid’s assistant (played wonderfully by Scarlett Johansson).
Several authors, however, have suggested she might be Vermeer’s eldest daughter, Maria. It’s a notion that is not popular with Vermeer scholars. Whoever she was, between the actual painting and the movie, we love a mystery, we love a good story, and we do love some large pearls.
Glengarry Glen Ross
Adapted by David Mamet from his 1984 Pulitzer and Tony-award winning play, this 1992 movie takes a real behind-the-scenes view of high-pressure sales. It also shows off the character’s (Blake) watch of choice.
Possibly the most famous moment in the movie is when Blake utters every salesperson’s mantra: Always Be Closing. Played by Alec Baldwin, Blake wore the ultimate status symbol for your wrist, an 18k Day-Date Rolex.
Tell us your favorite jewelry in a movie, and we’ll try to feature it in an upcoming blog.
To the American Gem Society, all of our readers are stars! Find your star-worthy jewelry at ags.org/findajeweler.
