Over time, there have been certain pieces of vintage jewellery that have become iconic. From royalty to first ladies and fictional characters, these pieces are instantly recognisable and had quite a significant cultural impact. From breathtaking necklaces to stunning engagement rings, these pieces sparked mass popularity across the country. So, let’s look into these pieces and what makes them so special!
Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s Necklace
First up, we have Audrey Hepburn’s iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s necklace, which she wore for the publicity photos for the film. The breathtaking necklace features a staggering 128 carat yellow diamond that has been set on at least four occasions, most famously when Hepburn wore it in 1961. The necklace is estimated to be worth around $30 million and is one of the most iconic pieces of jewellery of all time.
The necklace has been stored on the main floor of Tiffany’s flagship store in New York, but was recently taken out of storage to be worn by Lady Gaga at the 2019 Oscars, following her performance in A Star Is Born. The beauty of the piece was once again admired and it continues to be a significant piece in the world of vintage jewellery.
Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring
Another one of history’s most iconic pieces of jewellery is Princess Diana’s vintage sapphire engagement ring. When Prince Charles proposed in 1981, Princess Diana was given the choice of the engagement ring she would like from a family collection. She selected a stunning sapphire surrounded by diamonds, as it’s said it reminded her of her mothers engagement ring.
Even after her divorce, Diana continued to wear the ring, which is considered to be worth around £390,000. The ring was passed down to Prince William following Diana’s death, which he presented to Kate Middleton when they got engaged in 2010 whilst on safari in South Africa.
There has been a long association between sapphires and the Royal Family, as a result of their worth and the fact that they are symbolic of royalty. Following both engagement’s, there was a spike in similar styles of ring, showing the significance of them. The popularity of sapphires has continued since then!
Jackie Kennedy’s Emerald and Diamond Engagement Ring
Jackie Kennedy’s engagement ring, which was presented to her by John F. Kennedy in 1953, is one of the most iconic rings of all time. It was valued at over $1,000,000 in 1953, featuring a 2.88 carat diamond alongside a 2.84 carat emerald. Both of these stones were then also surrounded by tapered baguette diamonds. In 1963, an additional 2.12 carats were added to the ring! The ring was sold at Sotheby’s auction for $2.58 million.
As with Princess Diana’s engagement ring, the demand for vintage emerald rings increased significantly as a result of Jackie Kennedy’s engagement ring.