Grace Kelly was the embodiment of elegance, a woman whose beauty and poise transcended both Hollywood and royalty. From her days as an Academy Award-winning actress to her transformation into a Princess of Monaco, she captivated the world with her effortless sophistication. Yet beyond her impeccable style, it was her jewellery collection that truly reflected her refined taste. Each piece she wore was more than just an ornament—it was a symbol of love, prestige, and an enduring legacy. Decades after her passing, her most treasured jewels continue to inspire, reflecting the timeless glamour of a woman who remains an icon.
Grace Kelly’s engagement ring from Prince Rainier III of Monaco set a new standard for celebrity proposals. Initially, he presented her with a delicate Cartier eternity band of rubies and diamonds in Monaco’s colours. However, shortly after their engagement was announced in 1956, a second ring appeared—one that needed no close-up to command attention. The Cartier design featured a flawless 10.48-carat emerald-cut diamond flanked by two baguettes, set in platinum. Its design not only influenced engagement ring trends for generations but also made a cinematic statement when Kelly wore it in her final film, High Society. The story of how she came to wear Cartier is intertwined with Alfred Hitchcock, who had long admired fine jewellery and introduced the actress to the Maison’s Fifth Avenue boutique. He also played an unwitting role in her royal love story, casting her in To Catch a Thief—the film that led to her fateful meeting with Prince Rainier III. Their marriage cemented her place in history, and with it, her engagement ring became one of the most recognisable jewels in the world.
Another notable Cartier piece in Grace Kelly’s collection is the Diamond Festoon Necklace. This exquisite necklace, also set in platinum, features three strands of diamonds, skilfully arranged to form a festive festoon design. The diamonds, both round brilliant and baguette, are gathered by a triangular section on either side, leading to a single row of diamonds. Inspired by garlands of flowers, leaves, or ribbons and often used in grand celebrations, the design exudes both elegance and festivity. With a total of 64 carats of diamonds, the necklace was a striking addition to Grace’s collection of royal jewels. Throughout her life, she paired it with other pieces such as the diamond and ruby Bains de Mer Tiara and her all-diamond tiara. Now forming part of the Palais Princier collection, the necklace is frequently loaned for exhibitions around the world. It remains a cherished heirloom, and in 2019, Grace’s granddaughter Charlotte Casiraghi wore it on her own wedding day, ensuring the piece’s continued legacy in Monaco’s royal family.
Grace Kelly’s love for pearls was unmistakable “I favour pearls on screen and in my private life,” she once shared, adding, “a woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls.” When it came time for Prince Rainier III to select a wedding gift, he took Grace to the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in New York, where they met with Louis Arpels. There, Grace chose a selection of pearl jewellery created between 1953 and 1956, including a triple-strand pearl necklace with a diamond swirl motif, a matching triple-strand pearl bracelet with a diamond blossom motif, pearl earrings accented with baguette and marquise-shaped diamonds, and a diamond blossom ring with a pearl centre. While the pieces were carefully coordinated, they didn’t perfectly match, allowing Grace to create a royal suite that was uniquely her own. This trip to Van Cleef & Arpels marked more than just a shopping excursion—it solidified the jeweller’s relationship with the Monegasque royal family. Three months later, Van Cleef & Arpels was named the “Official Supplier to the Principality of Monaco.”
Since Grace’s passing in 1982, the Grimaldi family has ensured her beloved jewels continue to be appreciated by the public, often lending them for prestigious exhibitions around the world. In a poignant moment of tribute, her daughter, Princess Caroline of Hanover, wore the complete Van Cleef & Arpels pearl and diamond suite for the first time at the 2019 Rose Ball in Monaco, bringing the suite full circle and honouring Grace’s enduring legacy.
By Lauren Boustridge, Senior Jewellery Specialist
Top Image: Grace wore her own Cartier engagement ring during the filming of High Society / Alamy
May 2025