Marilyn Monroe’s Personal Beaded Necklace
This simple yet striking necklace was owned by Marilyn Monroe and is preserved as part of the collection. The necklace is composed of emerald toned beads arranged in a single long strand measuring thirty six inches in length and finished with a gold toned clasp. Its restrained design highlights Marilyn’s preference for understated beauty rather than overt display.
Despite her global fame, Marilyn owned remarkably little fine jewelry. Aside from her diamond wedding band from Joe DiMaggio and a strand of Mikimoto pearls presented by the Emperor of Japan, few items in her jewelry collection held significant monetary value. The majority of her pieces were costume jewelry or bead necklaces, chosen for their appearance and wearability rather than prestige.
This necklace exemplifies that approach. Elegant, versatile, and personal, it reflects how Marilyn accessorized in everyday life rather than for ceremony.
The necklace was sold in 1999 as part of the landmark Christie’s auction titled The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe, which dispersed the contents of her personal estate and remains one of the most significant sales of celebrity memorabilia in history.
The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe
October 1999
Collector’s Note
This beaded necklace reflects Marilyn Monroe’s deeply personal approach to jewelry, one defined not by extravagance, but by restraint and intention. Composed of emerald toned beads arranged in a single elegant strand, its simplicity speaks to Marilyn’s preference for pieces that enhanced her natural presence rather than overshadowed it.
What makes this necklace especially meaningful is what it reveals about Marilyn’s private life. Despite her global fame and access to the world’s finest jewels, she owned remarkably little fine jewelry, favoring instead costume pieces chosen for their beauty and wearability. This necklace exemplifies that philosophy. It was not selected for prestige, but for its versatility and personal appeal, making it far more representative of the woman herself than the diamonds associated with her public image.
Its preservation through the historic 1999 Christie’s estate auction firmly anchors it within the documented contents of Marilyn’s personal belongings. Today, it survives as a quiet yet powerful artifact, offering rare insight into how Marilyn chose to present herself when she was not performing for the camera. In its simplicity lies its significance, a direct and intimate connection to Marilyn Monroe as she lived, beyond the spotlight.
Scott Fortner
Marilyn Monroe Collection
Founder & Owner
@mariylnmonroecollection 
TheMarilynMonroeCollection