When Marilyn Monroe sang the popular song, "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend," she sang to women all across the World. However, this song led to the belief that she owned dozens, if not hundreds of diamonds. Especially when you factor in how rich and famous she was. Unfortunately, she did not own much valuable jewelry at all. In fact, much of the jewelry she was ever seen in was loaned to her, as jewelers used her as an advertisement to the public in order to gain more sales. It certainly likely provided a huge sales boost to many jewelers, especially in the diamond engagement rings area.
Marilyn only owned two valuable pieces of jewelry: one was some pearls she received from her husband Joe DiMaggio on their honeymoon in Japan, and the other was an exquisite 35 baguette-cut diamond eternity band that was her wedding ring to DiMaggio. Missing only one diamond, the ring eventually sold in 2011 for $772,500!
Unfortunately, being she was married three times, Marilyn has never received an engagement ring, let alone, diamond engagement rings. Her first marriage was an attempt for her to stay out of orphanages; her second marriage to DiMaggio was out of love, yet, only lasted two months due to jealousy issues from DiMaggio; and her third marriage to Arthur Mills, although likely out of love, lasted five years, and there is no proof if she’s ever had a wedding or engagement ring with him. Well, if there was any proof, no one cares enough to display out.
Needless to say, diamonds may be a girls best friend, but it took only one diamond ring to be Marilyn’s best friend.
On the left, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe. On the right, Monroe’s 35 diamond wedding ring.
Staff Writer. All staff writers are freelance writers – credits range: education and/or experience in merchandising, gemology, gold valuation, metallurgy and other industry related fields.
