Jewelry News, No. 8: Context is King
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In and of itself, a jewel can be impressive in countless ways: the gems, metals, manufacturing and design. When a layer of narrative context is added on top of that, a jewel has the potential to be supremely compelling, even legendary.
The media frenzy surrounding the appearance of Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic Taj Mahal Diamond necklace on Margot Robbie at the world premiere of “Wuthering Heights” a couple weeks ago is an extreme example of what can happen when a jewel has a story. Even those who had just learned of the gem’s existence and were relying on some information that was ambiguous at best became suddenly passionate. There was also the significantly less divisive back story of Charlotte Brontë’s hair bracelet, which Margot and her stylist plucked from out of obscurity.
Beyond the “Wuthering Heights” method dressing press tour, there have also been other great jewelry narratives recently, many of which flew significantly lower under the radar. Following is a roundup of some of my favorites.
Kennedy style cosplay
For the premiere of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, Naomi Watts embraced the method-dressing approach to reflect her role as Jackie Kennedy in the production. She accessorized her off-the-shoulder Balenciaga gown and gloves with Reflection de Cartier Diamond Earrings.
The jewels echoed the silhouette of the Van Cleef & Arpels diamond pendant earrings the former first lady wore countless times at formal White House affairs and throughout her life.
Reflection de Cartier Diamond Earrings worn by Naomi Watts
It is believed that John F. Kennedy gave Mrs. Kennedy the earrings when their daughter, Caroline, was born in November 1957. Sometimes they are referred to as the waterfall earrings although I don’t know if that is the Van Cleef & Arpels title.
The jewels were bequeathed to Caroline Kennedy who has worn them often. If you are wondering if Van Cleef makes anything like them today, this pair comes closest to the originals.
The jewelry mistake in ‘Love Story’
Several different narratives surround Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s sapphire and diamond eternity band-engagement ring. I wrote about them here. They all relate to the Kennedy family.
I doubt they are going to tackle the topic in Love Story. Their jewelry knowledge feels a bit shaky. In a sponsored post on Diet Prada about the series, the engagement ring and wedding band are shown on the finger of Sarah Pidgeon who plays Carolyn. While the jewels look relatively right, she is wearing them wrong or reversed.
Proper etiquette dictates that the wedding band be worn on the bottom, closer to the heart.
Screengrab from @diet_prada from Love Story
One thing I didn’t review in my other story is that, according to Carol Radziwill’s 2005 book What Remains, Carolyn reportedly said that the ring was not the style
