When it comes to jewellery, solitaire pendants are one of today's big favourites in the world of celebrities. Sarah Jessica Parker of 'Sex in the City' fame and Victoria Beckham are just two of the illustrious women captured by the paparazzi wearing these sparkling symbols of love.
But ask anyone who has seen James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster movie 'Titanic', which starred Leonard di Capro and Kate Winslet, and they will remember the poignant use of the illustrious 'Heart of the Ocean' pendant.
Academy Art
The necklace worn by Rose, the character played by Kate Winslet, was based on the world-famous Hope solitaire and given the French name of 'Le Coeur de la Mer.'
The Hope solitaire itself never travelled on the ill-fated 'Titanic', although throughout its history it has often been seen as cursed. In 2005 the Smithsonian convention officially confirmed that this 45.52 carat solitaire was part of the French crown jewels stolen during the reign of Louis Xiv.
One of the few substantial survivors, Kate Florence Phillips, owned a sapphire necklace. Many habitancy believe it was her jewellery that inspired the fictional blue diamond, 'Heart of the Ocean.' Kate was fleeing to America with Samuel Morley, her married lover, where they planned to build a new life for themselves. This was never to be, as Samuel Morley was one of the thousands to perish when the huge liner sank.
A fictional blue solitaire also plays an leading role in the much earlier film version of 'Titanic,' made in 1943. Here, the solitaire is stolen, creating a dramatic break in a romance. Once again, the blue solitaire is depicted as a symbol of love.
The necklace used in the 1997 version of the movie was made by top London-based jewellers, Asprey & Garrard. To generate the blue solitaire effect, they set blue cubic zirconium into white gold, producing a beautiful necklace that at the time was valued at around ,000. Today the 'Heart of the Ocean' lives in the archives of Twentieth Century Fox, although it has often been featured in exhibits about 'Titanic'.
During the movie's release in 1997, Asprey Garrard were commissioned to use their traditional institute to generate an authentic 'Heart of the Ocean' necklace. The astonishing result was a 170 carat heart-shaped sapphire, set in platinum and surrounded by 65 diamonds.
This necklace was sold during a benefit auction supporting Southern California's Aid for Aids and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. Its sale was on health that Celine Dion, singer of the film's grand theme song 'My Heart Will Go On,' must wear it to the Academy Awards ceremony in 1998. Today, it is believed that this illustrious fertilization belongs to the daughter of one of Asprey Garrard's wealthy clients. Less high-priced reproductions have prolonged to be made since the movie's release.
Like fellow actress Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', Kate Winslet again raised the profile of solitaire heart-shaped pendants as a timeless symbol of love.
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