The Most Expensive Jewelry Ever Gifted to Women

The tradition of giving rings dates back to ancient Egypt, where they were seen as a symbol of a woman's belonging to a man. Over 200 years ago, the famous Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, received one of the most expensive diamonds of her time from her husband. The French ruler Louis XVI gifted his wife the Hope Diamond, which is now valued at $350 million.

The trend for diamonds made a full comeback only in the last century. During the early days of Hollywood, advertisements featuring famous models lost their effectiveness. The custom of gifting inexpensive pearls completely overshadowed the demand for precious diamonds. Facing the brink of bankruptcy, heirs of diamond business empires turned to marketers to breathe new life into the world of luxury jewelry. One pivotal moment was the 1947 De Beers advertising campaign with the slogan "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." The focus shifted to attracting the attention of regular working people with plans to marry. Advertisements in magazines and on television succeeded in establishing jewelry as a measure of love, exemplified by the tagline: "Two months' salary is a small price to pay for something that lasts forever."

Emotional manipulation of potential buyers was prevalent even back then. Young women, while watching movies with Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, or the Academy Awards ceremony, not only noticed the clothing and makeup of their idols but also their jewelry. This created a connection: "Receiving a diamond brings you closer to the stars."

The Most Expensive Diamond from a Movie

The standout piece of jewelry in the late 90s was the "Heart of the Ocean" necklace created for the most romantic film of the 20th century, "Titanic." It featured 103 carats of diamonds. In 2011, the necklace was sold at auction for $17 million. In the film, the main character receives this valuable jewelry from her fiancé, who considers the pendant a family heirloom. This movie’s portrayal helped establish the tradition of giving rings as family heirlooms among middle-class people.

How Did the War Affect Diamond Sales?

With the onset of World War II, marriage rates worldwide unexpectedly increased. The uncertain fate of young soldiers heading to the front motivated couples to immortalize their love as a symbol of a hopeful future. One advertisement stated: "Girls stopped waiting for their fiancés to finish their service. War doesn’t wait. They marry during leaves, within a week, within a few days. But no bride wants, nor should, sacrifice beautiful wedding traditions." During this time, one of the most famous brides was Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. This meant that Prince Philip of Edinburgh had the significant task of presenting his beloved with a special ring.

The future member of the royal family designed the jewelry himself and commissioned it from the jewelers at Garrard. The ring was made using diamonds from the tiara of his mother, Princess Alice of Greece. It is rumored that the Queen never took it off because of a special inscription that only she, the Duke, and the jeweler who created the piece had seen.

Caution, Scarcity! Or Why Did People Start Collecting Jewelry?

Few know that the habit of collecting various jewelry pieces emerged only at the end of the 20th century. This, too, involved advertising and marketing strategies by luxury jewelry business owners.

In 1951, Life magazine published an article titled "A Diamond Is Forever." Simultaneously, an unspoken rule emerged, indicating that diamond jewelry was a true trophy, one that should be added to a collection with every memorable event, starting with the engagement ring.

What Diamonds Are Customary to Gift Now?

The Beckham family is one of the most famous couples today, known for their passion for valuable jewelry. At their eldest son's wedding, Victoria Beckham wore a 21.5-carat necklace, custom-made by her husband David. The jewelry was valued at around $3 million.

The press has long labeled the couple as lovers of surprising the public with the grandeur of their precious gifts. David comments: "Knowing how much my wife loves jewelry, I always look for a gift that will make her feel special."

Of course, there are many more romantic and sometimes incredible stories related to jewelry gifts than we have listed above. The significance of such expensive gifts has transformed over time, reflecting not only the aesthetic and fashion trends of different eras but also profound changes in society and its values.

Diamonds, which once symbolized the power and luxury of the royal court, no longer have any restrictions regarding their owners. Today, a woman does not need to belong to a special social class or rely on a gift from a man. There is no need to prove anything to anyone with diamonds. Sometimes, even the most expensive jewelry is just an accessory—a piece that highlights character or style. And isn’t that the greatest value of our time?