Joan Crawford embodied the golden age of Hollywood with unrivalled elegance and stage presence. A true star of the silver screen, she fascinated audiences with her charisma and sense of style, influencing the fashion and jewelry of her era. Beyond her talent as an actress, she was also renowned for her exceptional jewelry collection, a symbol of her refined taste and love of luxury.
Joan Crawford: A meteoric rise to fame
Born Lucille Fay LeSueur on March 23, 1904, Joan Crawford experienced a difficult childhood marked by family instability and precarious living conditions. Determined to rise socially, she developed a passion for dance and show business at an early age, finding in the world of entertainment an escape from the difficulties of her childhood.
She began her career as a dancer in theaters and musical revues before being spotted by Hollywood. In 1925, she signed a contract with MGM under the pseudonym Joan Crawford, and quickly rose through the ranks thanks to her charisma and magnetic screen presence. The 1930s marked her meteoric rise: she became a key star of silent films, and later of talkies, playing strong, glamorous female characters.
Joan Crawford: A key actress of Hollywood's golden age
Over the decades, Joan Crawford enjoyed a string of successes, forging an image as an independent, sophisticated woman. Her talent earned her roles in such iconic films as Grand Hotel (1932), Mildred Pierce (1945) – which won her an Oscar for Best Actress – and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962). Her intense acting and ability to reinvent herself ensured her exceptional longevity in Hollywood, a rare feat in a fiercely competitive field.
Alongside her film career, Joan Crawford pays meticulous attention to her public image and style of dress. She adopted a sophisticated look, punctuated by impeccable hairstyles, elegant outfits and, of course, sumptuous jewelry. Her love of jewelry is more than mere coquetry: her pieces reflect her status, her personality and her exquisite taste for luxury and excellence.
Joan Crawford: a woman of power beyond the cinema
Joan Crawford was not only a talented actress, she was also a shrewd businesswoman. After her film career came to an end, she became a member of the Pepsi-Cola board of directors, thanks to her marriage to Alfred Steele, the company’s CEO. She plays a key role in promoting the brand, and continues to make a name for herself far beyond the cinema.
A woman of character and a key Hollywood figure, Joan Crawford leaves behind an unrivalled artistic and stylistic legacy. Her taste for jewelry, her daring fashion choices and her timeless charisma make her a glamour icon forever etched in history.
Joan Crawford and jewelry: a dazzling passion
Joan Crawford was not only an icon of Hollywood cinema, she was also a true ambassador of glamour and refinement. Her legendary style, marked by impeccable silhouettes and sophisticated elegance, was always enhanced by spectacular jewelry. On screen as in life, Crawford saw her jewelry as extensions of her personality, symbols of power and success.
Fascinated by precious stones, she had an impressive collection of pieces signed by the greatest jewelry houses, including Raymond C. Yard, Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels. Her love of jewelry went far beyond a simple taste for luxury: each piece was carefully chosen, often bespoke, and reflected her desire to embody a strong, independent woman. Her famous diamond bracelets, elegant clips and opulent necklaces were an integral part of her iconic image.
1. Aquamarine set by Boucheron
Among Joan Crawford’s most emblematic jewels is a sumptuous set comprising a brooch, bracelet and necklace. Created around 1935 by the Parisian firm Verger Frères for Boucheron, this exceptional suite is distinguished by the brilliance of its 131 carats of oval aquamarines, sublimated by 11.5 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds set in platinum, all mounted in 18-carat yellow gold with touches of rose gold. After Joan Crawford’s death in 1977, the set was acquired by Andy Warhol at an auction of her estate in 1978. A decade later, it was auctioned again by Sotheby’s New York in 1988, at the sale of Warhol’s jewelry and watch collection. It then passed into the hands of London’s Hancocks and was auctioned again in 2009, before being acquired by Neil Lane Jewelry. In 2014, this precious ensemble was exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, testifying to its importance in the history of high jewelry and Hollywood cinema.
2. Necklace and bracelet by Raymond Yard
Among Joan Crawford’s most iconic jewels, her spectacular gold and citrine set by Raymond Yard occupies pride of place. Comprising a necklace and bracelet adorned with exceptional citrines – a 357.6-carat center stone for the necklace and a 116-carat center stone for the bracelet – this set perfectly illustrates the actress’s taste for bold, sophisticated jewelry. Featured in the film When Ladies Meet (1941) and immortalized in an advert for Royal Crown Cola, this set has become a true symbol of Hollywood glamour. Created by Raymond Yard, a jeweler renowned for his Art Deco pieces commissioned by America’s most influential families, this jewel recently caused a sensation at an auction at Heritage Auctions, where it sold for $250,000, far exceeding its initial estimate.
3. Clips by Paul Flato
Joan Crawford was one of the customers of Paul Flato, one of Hollywood’s most fashionable jewelers, nicknamed the jeweler to the stars. Always on the lookout for bold, sophisticated pieces, the actress owned a number of Flato clips, demonstrating her refined taste for fine jewelry. Unfortunately, I don’t have any better images of these jewels, but they remain proof of Crawford’s close ties with the greatest designers of her time.
4. Necklace by William Russer
Joan Crawford was known for her charisma, sense of drama and love of spectacular jewelry. After the death of her husband, Alfred Steele, CEO of Pepsi-Cola, in 1959, the actress orchestrated a press conference to affirm that she would remain committed to the company. And as usual, she made this declaration in style, adorned in a sumptuous amethyst set by William Ruser. This exceptional piece of jewelry comprised a necklace adorned with 30 emerald-cut amethysts, a wide bracelet set with 24 stones, and half-shell earrings with six amethysts each. An ensemble as imposing as it was symbolic, reflecting Joan Crawford’s strength and determination to carry on her husband’s legacy.
5. Joan Crawford 40's bracelet
A lovely gold bracelet from the 1940s, adorned with emerald-cut amethysts and sparkling diamonds, perfectly illustrates the actress’ taste for bold, elegant jewelry. Recognizable by its sculptural design, typical of the period, this imposing bracelet combines the warm glow of gold with the deep tones of amethysts, stones Crawford was particularly fond of and wore to landmark public appearances. A symbol of luxury and power, this piece echoes the star’s iconic style, which saw jewelry as an extension of her glamorous, sophisticated image.
6. Joan Crawford racelet by Raymond Yard
Joan Crawford owned a great deal of Raymond Yard jewelry, including this sumptuous bracelet set with star sapphires and diamonds of various sizes, all mounted in platinum.
7. Pierced heart brooch
In these photographs, Joan Crawford wears a pierced heart brooch, reminiscent of Paul Flato’s design for Millicent Rogers.
