Films That Gave Us Stunning Jewellery Moments: From Netflix's Qala to 2012's Anna Karenina
Our love for jewellery style isn't just about what we see on the red carpet or runway. It's also about those magical moments in our favourite rom-com or classic films when we think, 'Wow, she looks stunning,' and 'Oh, I wanna try that look'. Over time, movies have not only influenced our jewellery choices but have also inspired celebrities. The way jewellery tells a story in films, with its elegance and beauty, is simply enchanting. Sometimes jewellery enhances a character's beauty and other times, it becomes a character in itself.
So, here are some precious jewellery moments from the world of cinema that we cherish and draw inspiration from and wait, did I tell you we have some fun jewellery trivia as well?
Iconic, classic and elegant—films have inspired almost every generation to dream, imagine and style like their favourite movie characters. From Sonam Kapoor in the opening scene of Aisha (who's Aisha in real life as well) to Anne Hathaway wearing Chanel's pearl necklace in The Devil Wears Prada—one can never overlook the influence of fashion inspiration that comes straight from our favourite films, be it for cocktail hours to corporate meetings, desk to dinner or casual to quintessential wardrobe.
Just as 'Jhumka Gira Re', a song with a jewellery reference, turned into one of the melodious icons of Bollywood's movies, several movies have also given us some iconic jewellery moments and style inspiration mood boards to elevate our jewellery styling. Imagine the art and production design for films like Devdas (2002) and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) — just like the set designs add character to a film, the same way jewellery adds character to an actor's costumes and personality. That's why talking about jewellery as a 'main character' in the movies is important.
Hollywood's Breakfast At Tiffany's, the epitome of vintage elegance, had marked one of those iconic looks in the history of fashion in the early '60s.
Soft gold shimmer, shining pearls and diamond aesthetic are all Audrey has given us for vintage statement jewellery. Over the years, people have become so fascinated by this forever-marked look that they end up recreating it and you can witness how their pearl and diamond necklaces do justice to Hepburn's character.
Digging down a little more into this black-and-white era, the film Qala (2022) has astounded us with some serious retro jewellery glamour. Influenced by Art Nouveau, this period film on Netflix features Anushka Sharma in a greyscale montage for the song 'Ghodey Pe Sawaar' and you can see the retro queen winning hearts with her exhilarating vintage avatar.
Image Source: Times Now
The tiny pearls cascading on her neck and the feathers and the cardboard moon all gave a combined white element in sequence to her monochromatic cameo on screen. Even her pearl bracelet bridged with a shimmering ring made this look iconic for vintage aesthetics.
Image Source: The Economic Times
Qala brought alive the silver era of jewellery along with the charm of drop earrings, and pearls. The subtle yet elegant aura of Tripti Dimri just feels out of this world. Jewellery styling is an art and just like this film, its Victorian opulence wins the heart for all the right reasons.
Even historical movies like Jodha Akbar (2008) signify the trend of wearing heavy gold jewellery. From Jadau and Kundan necklaces to emerald sets—the rich, artistic, bold and beautiful Indian jewellery has always been the talk of the town. Look at Aishwarya Rai Bachan's choker necklace in Jodha Akbar—the floral motifs, the polished metallic lustre and the yellow gold shine—every detail speaks of the queen's style.
Image Source: IWM Buzz
The contemporary bridal couture might call for modern, understated and uber-chic emerald jewellery with rose gold shine, but this Rani Haar still does give an opulent bridal inspiration for a resplendent statement look. The jewellery mood board for this film dials for regal essence, Polki jewellery, rich reds and everything gold.
Indian jewels have always been captivating and renowned. Marilyn Monroe, a prominent Hollywood actress, wore one such jewel in the famous 1953 movie 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' (reminds me of Taylor Swift and do I need to tell you that her song video, Bejewelled has tons of jewellery style inspirations to look for!)
Image Source: Pintnerest
When Marilyn sang the famous line 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend', she donned several glittering white diamonds. But for the magazine covers and movie promotion, she wore this stunningly gorgeous teardrop diamond which was originally owned by the Maharajas of Baroda, India.
This 24-carat pear-cut canary yellow diamond is named as Moon of Baroda diamond. In the 1920s the Maharaja sold it to an unknown buyer before. It has been worn by such royalty as Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, and Marie Antoinette. It was eventually sold to Meyer Rosenbaum, who lent the historic diamond to Marilyn for the movie. it was later resold to American jeweller Meyer Rosenbaum, who lent it to Marilyn for the promotion of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. But the curious case of canary yellow diamonds goes even beyond this.
Kate Hudson's canary diamond pendant in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) just turned Marilyn's diamond line into a universal fact. Her yellow diamond pendant paired with brilliant-cut diamonds just set the whole vibe of her look—adding a touch of glamour and exuberance and proving that diamonds are really a girl's best friend.
Image Source: Monica Rich Konsann
This Harry Winston's 84-carat diamond pendant necklace "Isadora", named after dancer Isadora Duncan, sold for a stunning $5 million after Kate Hudson donned it in the film, showcasing the enduring influence of pop culture on our lives, where even a necklace becomes a star of the show.
But that's not all! Lady Gaga created a sensation on the internet when she graced the Oscars Red Carpet wearing a 128-carat Tiffany Necklace featuring a cushion-cut yellow diamond along with dazzling diamond drop earrings.
Image Source: LVMH
Interestingly, this iconic yellow diamond piece was previously worn by Audrey Hepburn during a photo shoot for "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Here, we come full circle to this beautiful yellow diamond jewellery that holds a special place in the history of design, making it super iconic in the world of fashion.
And what if I tell you that jewellery can go beyond being a side character and become the actual plot of the story? Ocean's 8 (2018) is the movie that is a spot-on answer for this POV.
Image Source: Screen Rant
In Ocean's 8, Anne Hathaway as Daphne Kluger wore a famous high-fashion Toussaint necklace to the Met Gala—it was gorgeous and studded with diamonds—but it was also the pivotal plot for which the whole jewel heist was orchestrated by the all-female cast of the movie. The jewellery mood board of Ocean's 8 reminds us of statement pieces, stylish bracelets and all things diamonds.
As the time has shifted from the '70s to the 21st century, jewellery trends have constantly taken new forms, sometimes it's statement-making, and other times just sheer simplicity to pull off a memorable moment. Indian cinema's Om Shanti Om just delivered us another exemplary and dreamy jewellery moment and we will never get over it (not in this life or any other).
Image Source: IMDb
Recalling the Bollywood of the 1970s—perfect hair buns adorned with fresh roses, choker necklaces, and minimal makeup look—Deepika Padukone as Shantipriya is unforgettable and if you're a true Bollywood-lover, you can literally hear this picture. Some pieces impeccably depict the timeline in which the film is set. Look at the touch of tiny pink droplets on her chunky turn-of-the-century floral necklace and earrings, the colour palette of her style is blooming in full grace.
While other films such as The Great Gatsby (2013) and Moulin Rouge (2001) always captivate jewellery enthusiasts, one cannot finish off the list without the charisma of Joe Wright's Anna Karenina written by Leo Tolstoy.
Image Source: The Costumer Rail and Ben David Jewelers
Films transport us to a different world, and jewellery brings charm to it. There's no denying that jewellery has forever been special. It's a way of expression for expressing a character, an era, or even true yourself. Whether it is dopamine dressing or binge-watching, we all deserve that hint of sparkle that makes us feel gorgeous and thrilled, don't we?
