AWDC to Display Legendary Jewelry in Diamond Divas Exhibition

Marilyn Monroe wearing the “Moon of Baroda,” a 24.04 carat canary yellow pear shaped diamond Photo: 20th Century Fox / Collection Sunset Boulevard

An exhibition of famous diamond jewelry will be put on display at the Antwerp Diamond Museum. “Diamond Divas” will feature items worn by royals, high society and famous stars of the stage and the silver screen and will run from April 11 to June 8.

The items on display were chosen for the legends surrounding them – some stories associated with the jewels centering on their owners, sometimes on the event for which they were created. Among the items presented will be bracelets from the “Art de Cartier” collection owned by Gloria Swanson, a star from Hollywood’s silent movie era who was famous for her extravagant lifestyle.

The tiara owned by Doris Duke, the billionaire tobacco heiress who died under mysterious circumstances in 1993, will also be displayed, as well as the “snake” necklace owned by Maria Felix, a star of the Mexican screen, and the famous “Moon of Baroda” necklace, which has as its centerpiece a 24.04 carat canary yellow pear shaped diamond, and which was worn by Marilyn Monroe at the premiere of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

The show is being organized by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), which received help from high-end jewelers, auction houses and private collections around the world in putting together the exhibition. Similar exhibitions organized by the AWDC in the past include “From the Treasury” and “Living Diamonds.”   

“Diamond Divas” will also be held under the patronage of Princes Mathilde of Belgium.