Inside Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco’s Jewelry Vault: Cartier Engagement Ring, Van Cleef & Arpels Tiara and More Iconic Pieces
Nearly half a century after her death on Sept. 14 in 1982, Grace Kelly’s influence on fashion and culture remains unwaveringly relevant. She effortlessly merged the worlds of Hollywood, royals, and fashion, as she seamlessly moved between all of them — going from a silver screen staple and Alfred Hitchcock heroine to a royal icon in the wake of her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco. (Her wedding dress alone has lived on in iterations worn by Kate Middleton, Paris Hilton, Kitty Spencer, Jasmine Tookes and Miranda Kerr, to name a handful.) And her jewelry collection is no less iconic.
Below, take a close-up look at some of the jewels belonging to Grace Kelly’s vault, from her Cartier engagement ring that set a new bar for celebrity engagement rings to her signature pearls.
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Grace Kelly’s 10.47-carat engagement ring
Celebrity engagement rings have never been the same since Prince Rainier III of Monaco bestowed Cartier’s flawless emerald-cut diamond to Kelly. They married on April 18, 1956. The simple yet elegant oversized stone design has lived on in the tradition of celebrity engagement rings — and forever outsized expectations around stone size. The ring also lives on in “High Society,” as Kelly wears it in her last film.
Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Tiara
There are tiaras and then there is the ruby and diamond tiara worn by Kelly in 1973. Part of a Parure, Kelly wore the stunning tiara with a pair of matching ruby and diamond cluster earrings and ruby and diamond necklace. Kelly wore the set to the famous Battle of Versailles Fashion Show, where five American designers — Stephen Burrows Anne Klein, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta and Halston — faced off against five French designers: Hubert de Givenchy, Emmanuel Ungaro, Pierre Cardin and Marc Bohan for Christian Dior and Saint Laurent.
The Bains de Mer Tiara
Worn in the days leading up to her wedding and for some of her famed portraits, the Bains de Mer Tiara consists of three rubies with cascading set diamonds. The three jeweled pieces can also be worn separately, as Kelly did as brooches and hair accessories.
The Cartier Diamond Necklace
Kelly’s Cartier diamond necklace nearly outshined her engagement ring. The glittering necklace had a layered look with three rows of diamonds in the center and was a staple in Kelly’s event wardrobe and royal photos. In 2012, the necklace went on display at the “El Arte de Cartier” exhibition at the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum in Madrid.
The Diamond Flower Brooch
Another frequently worn piece by Kelly, the diamond flower brooch can be seen in the late princess’ royal family photos as well as photos of her at events throughout the years.
The Diamond Tiara
The words minimal and tiara aren’t often paired together, but together they describe Kelly’s diamond tiara. Like her iconic style, it was elegant without being over the top. The tiara, which consisted of a soft wavy design, was worn frequently by Kelly over the years.
The Three-Strand Pearl Necklace
Kelly’s jewelry collection rapidly expanded during her engagement to Prince Rainier III, and one of the pieces that was added to it was a three-strand pearl necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels. The necklace, flanked by three rows of diamonds that wrap around the pearl strands, belonged to a larger set. The suite also included a pave diamond platinum ring centered around a pearl and a pearl bracelet consisting of three strands and diamond flowers.
Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly Through the Years: From American Actress to Royalty
Launch Gallery: Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly Through the Years: From American Actress to Royalty
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