GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
AuctionsMar 16, 2017
Costume Jewelry Worn by Hollywood Icons Up for Auction
Actresses like Elizabeth Taylor and Vivien Leigh wore Eugene Joseff pieces in films of the 1930s, ’40s and ‘50s.
Jeweler Eugene Joseff not only created a special plating technique to reduce glare from the harsh studio lighting but also developed the business model of loaning pieces to studios, meaning he could use them again and again, Julien’s Auctions said.
Los Angeles--Julien’s Auctions is having a sale in November that’s perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to dress like a celebrity.
On Nov. 16 and 17, the auction house will feature “Joseff of Hollywood: Treasures from the Vault,” which includes more than 600 piece of costume jewelry created by Eugene Joseff, a jeweler-to the-stars from Hollywood’s golden age.
While pre-sale estimates for individual pieces are not yet available, the collection is expected to garner between $2 and $3 million.
Legendary stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Vivien Leigh, Judy Garland, Olivia de Havilland and Greta Garbo wore his designs in movies in the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s.
Joseff moved to Hollywood in 1928, where he fell in with such costume designers as Walter Plunkett and Adrian and Edith Head. After working in that area for a bit, he decided to start using his metalworking skills to create historically accurate jewelry to be worn in films.
He studied museum pieces and also conducted his own detailed research to improve his craft, eventually developing a special antiqued plating technique designed to soften the glare of the harsh studio lighting and add a look of authenticity to each piece, which he would apply after casting and assembly.
With a limited budget at first, Joseff also is credited with starting the idea of renting and loaning jewelry to studios, Julien’s Auctions said.
Another necklace worn by Bette Davis
Bette Davis wore this necklace in the 1955 movie “The Virgin Queen,” in which she played Queen Elizabeth I.
Grace Kelly wore these earrings in the 1956 musical comedy “High Society.”
This necklace was made for Greta Garbo for her role in the 1936 movie “Camille,” but she refused to wear it so the piece never appeared in the film.
These gold and gem earrings were worn by Marilyn Monroe in “Gentleman Prefer Blondes.” She wore them with that well-known gold lame dress.
Monroe wore this necklace while singing “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” in the movie.
Elizabeth Taylor wore this gold serpent cuff during her role as Cleopatra in the film of the same name.
Actress Loretta Young wore this tiara in the 1938 film “Suez,” about the construction of the Suez Canal in Egypt.
Joseff started “Joseff of Hollywood” in the late 1920s.
After he died in 1948, his wife, J.C., took over the business and managed the company until her death at the age of 97 in 2010. She even earned an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women of Motion Picture Industry.
Both were not only master jewelers, but also masters at working the social scene in Hollywood, using their personalities to network with designers and studios to ensure that Joseff’s work was sought-after for many years.
According to the auction house, Joseff supplied almost 90 percent of all jewelry worn on-screen in the 1930s and 1940s, and he is credited with making jewelry an integral part of costume design.
Well-known pieces that appeared on the big screen include a belt fitted for Taylor in “Cleopatra” (1963), an elaborate jeweled bib necklace worn by Ona Munsen in “Shanghai Gesture” (1941), and the necklace worn by Vivien Leigh and cigar case used by Clark Gable in “Gone with the Wind” (1939).
Through
Joseff’s loaning system, most of the pieces stayed in his possession, and the collection has remained in the Joseff family in its entirety since then.
Julien’s Auction said it rarely has been seen, let alone offered at auction.
Julien’s Auction said it rarely has been seen, let alone offered at auction.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
Brought to you by
Are Earrings an Overlooked Category? What Retailers Need to Know NowAs the holiday season quickly approaches, consider stocking one category that sometimes gets overlooked: earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds EditionThe superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the HolidaysRetailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva AuctionThe nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.
SourcingOct 22, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New PerchChief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume ChallengeFive dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
Hillsborough Antique Show Gets New OwnerRecently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink DiamondThe stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive FlagshipHollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First FlagshipThe New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.
Events & AwardsOct 21, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
AuctionsOct 20, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 10-Carat Vivid Pink DiamondMaking its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
2 Mozambique Police Officers Killed at Gemfields’ Ruby MineThey were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.
CrimeOct 20, 2025
See the ‘Priceless’ Jewels Stolen During Daytime Heist at the Louvre It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
Pristine Gems Names New Director of European SalesGemologist Lauren Gayda has previously worked at The Clear Cut, Taylor & Hart, and Effy Jewelry.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
