Combining celebrity with stunning diamond jewelry, a new exhibition organized by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, will open April 11 at the Antwerp Diamond Museum.

Called “Diamond Divas,” the exhibition will show items worn by royals, high society, stars of stage and screen. It will run through June 8.

Each item of jewelry to be shown at the exhibition comes with its own legend, sometimes concerning its owner and on other occasions the event for which it was created. They include bracelets from the “Art de Cartier” collection owned by Gloria Swanson, a star from Hollywood’s silent movie era who was famous for her extravagant life style; a tiara owned by Doris Duke, the billionaire tobacco heiress who died under mysterious circumstances at age 80 in 1993; the “snake” necklace owned by Maria Felix, a leading lady from Mexico’s silver screen; the famous “Moon of Baroda” necklace, which has as its centerpiece a 24.04-ct. canary yellow pear-shaped diamond, worn by Marilyn Monroe at the premiere of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

Devant de corsage, Cartier Paris, 1909, Photos N. Welsh, Collection Cartier, copyright Cartier

To put together the exhibition, ADWC turned to high end jewelers, auction houses, and private collections from around the world.

Diamond Divas will be held under the patronage of HRH Princess Mathilde.

For more information, visit www.diamonddivas.be.

JCK