Vintage Earring Trends That Still Sparkle | 1950s Jewelry

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All about the 1950s earrings, as worn by Old Hollywood fashion icons, including vintage jewelry, pearl earrings, diamond and gemstone jewelry, gold and silver, vintage costume jewelry, and clip earrings. 

This post is all about 1950s earrings

Looking for some inspo from Old Hollywood on how to style those vintage earrings? 

And not just any era of Old Hollywood, but the 1950s. The decade famous for its ultra-feminine style inspired by Dior’s New Look.

Gold, silver, diamonds, pearls, or costume jewelry … whatever you choose, these 50s jewelry styles are guaranteed to make you feel feminine on any budget.

Whether you love a simple classic style (think Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly) or ultra glam looks (think Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe), we’ve got you covered.

Learn how to dress up any outfit, for any occasion, whether everyday practical styles, work styles, or an evening out with the girlfriends or sexy man.

Time to gossip with the 50s housewives, Old Hollywood starlets, and flip through the vintage Vogue magazines for the ultimate inspo! 

Pearls as A Staple for Royalty, Fashion Icons, and You 

Throughout history, pearls have been treasured for their beauty and luminosity. 

From royalty like Cleopatra or Queen Elizabeth II to 1950s style icons like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, these simple feminine jewels have stood the test of time as a symbol of timeless elegance.

For Audrey Hepburn’s role as a princess in the romantic classic Roman Holiday (1953), (upper left) she pairs a stunning pair of pearl drop earrings with a statement pearl necklace.

In the 1954 romantic thriller, Rear Window, Grace Kelly, (top right) in her role as a fashion socialite opted for pearl earrings to take her chic outfit to the next level.

Whether you’re looking to impress your wheelchair bound boyfriend, or help him solve a mysterious murder, pearl earrings will always compliment your outfit!

For more Grace Kelly’s stunning engagement ring:
Grace Kelly Engagement Ring – Her Stunning Ring & Fairytale Romance

Vintage Modern Fashion: How to Style Pearl Earrings

Pearls look great on all women. 

Why? Because pearl earrings are flattering to all skin tones. 

Peals reflect a soft, natural glow due to how the light reflects off of them.

So, how do you style them to channel 1950s elegance?

Tip #1: Use pearl earrings to dress up any outfit, whether professional, formal evening gown, or adding a bit of “Ummph” to your everyday look.

For everyday chic, pair these with a simple fitted blouse, jeans, or with a trench coat and headscarf. 

Notice how Arlene Dahl (above) opts for pearl drop earrings to dress up her everyday outfit when sleuthing with her husband in the 50’s film noir She Played with Fire (1957).

For more on Arlene Dahl’s fabulous 1950s fashion in the film you might like:
She Played with Fire – Movie Recap and Arlene Dahl’s 1950s Fashion

Rita Hayworth (above) pairs pearls with her business professional outfit in the 1958 film Separate Tables.

Don’t blame us if you get a similar reaction from men in the office if you copy this style. Shall we attribute it to the deadly combo of 1950s chic with pearl luminosity?

For an evening outfit, how about some long pearl drop earrings? 

Notice how stunning these look on Ava Gardner, (above) paired with her sweetheart style gown and off the shoulder style.

And for your final pearl pro tip:

Match your pearl color with your skin undertones, since they come in different colors and tones, 

So white pearls for cool undertones, and golden pearls for warm undertones.

Happy pearl pairing!

For more on Ava Gardner’s 1950s fashion in The Barefoot Contessa, you might like:
Ava Gardner in Barefoot Contessa 1954 – Her Glamorous Role and Fashion

Diamond and Gemstone Jewelry For the Ultimate Vintage Glam

From the glam Old Hollywood starlets to the perfect chic housewife, 50s women’s motto was: Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend! (Actually it was Marilyn Monroe’s motto in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but close enough)

Coming out of World War II, the United States experienced an economic boom, so women could now afford more luxurious items.

Talk about the perfect accessory to accentuate the “coveted” 1950s ultra feminine silhouette and ideal.

De Beers famous “A Diamond is Forever” slogan launched in 1947. 

In the 1950s culture, diamonds and eternal love were inexplicably linked with femininity. 

Notice the catchy phrasing of the diamond ad (above right):

 “Your world, in diamond lights … a diamond reflects the moving pattern of your days, a husband’s loyal devotion….” 

Just like today, the famous Old Hollywood stars, from Elizabeth Taylor, to Marilyn Monroe, to Ava Gardner, to Audrey Hepburn popularized the unmistakeable beauty of diamonds. 

“Big girls need big diamonds.” — Elizabeth Taylor

Equally as famous for her violet eyes and collection of husbands, was Elizabeth Taylor’s (above) obsession with diamonds.

Notice how some of her most iconic looks center around her glittering diamonds earrings. 

In the 1950s innovations in stone cutting techniques and earring settings meant that even more dazzling designs.

Also, the popularity of clip earrings soared, since pierced ears were not as common.

Ava Gardner boasted an equally impressive and stunning collection of diamond and gemstone earrings in the 1954 romantic drama, The Barefoot Contessa. (top left)

Notice her stunning matching jewelry, which was very popular trend in the 1950s.

Marilyn Monroe (top right) also sizzles, in every sense of the word, in her all white outfit in the hilarious 1953 rom com How to Marry a Millionaire accentuated with diamond and gemstone earrings.

Need more fabulous diamond and gemstone jewelry inspiration from Ava Gardner and Marilyn Monroe? 
Marilyn Monroe How to Marry a Millionaire – Your Guide to 1950s Glam
Ava Gardner in Barefoot Contessa 1954 – Her Glamorous Role and Fashion

1950s Diamond Earrings: The Go to Style for Princesses 

Not only were diamonds and gemstones favorite Old Hollywood red carpet looks, but they were the ultimate glittering symbols of royalty.

Can you guess what earrings Audrey Hepburn chose to wear as a princess in Roman Holiday? (top left) 

Yep. Sophisticated diamond drop earrings.

Or what what dazzling earrings and jewelry Marilyn Monroe opted for in the Prince and the Showgirl? (top right)

Again, stunning diamond statement earrings.

Get the inside scoop on these beloved princesses’ 1950s jewelry, fashion, and love stories in: 
All Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Dresses – Your Guide to Chic Vintage Style
Marilyn Monroe the Prince and the Showgirl – All her Glitzy Outfits

“You can’t cry on a diamond’s shoulder, and diamonds won’t keep you warm at night, but they’re sure fun when the sun shines.” — Elizabeth Taylor

To recreate this classic Old Hollywood style, don’t hesitate for statement jewels.

Diamonds add sparkle to any outfit, and last forever, just like true love.

Gold and Silver in the 1950s: The “In” Precious Metals

Yellow gold was super popular in the 1950s. it embodied the “golden” 1950s period. 

Rose gold also surged in popularity, especially when paired with gemstones, or other yellow gold and white gold.

From super intricate designs (top left) to simple chic classic looks (top right), almost all that glittered was gold. 

Inspired by love, nature, and contemporary art, jewelers designed everything from stunning motifs to simple geomotric styles.

Gold & Silver Earrings in the 1950s: More Trending Styles

Door knocker earrings were a very popular gold earrings style.

Marilyn Monroe wore door knocker earrings in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with her casual turtleneck as well as in Niagara, with her famous pink dress. (both below)

Ava Gardner (below) wears a fabulous pair of gold door knocker earrings in The Barefoot Contessa.

If you need more inspo from Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell on how to pair gold and silver earrings with outfits from Old Hollywood, you’ll love:
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits – All her Gorgeous Glam Dresses.

Innovative designs emerged, like textured gold, and stunning motifs with mesmorizing depth.

Of course tastefully pairing (and matchy matchy!) was the name of the game.

Notice how Elizabeth Taylor (bottom left) tastefully pairs her intricately designed gold earrings, with a gold leaf broach, and gold vintage ring.

In contrast, notice how Lauren Bacall (top right), known for her minimalist classic style, chooses to simple matching gold pieces. 

Platinum and with white gold were also popular choices for certain looks. What better than cool tones to complement diamonds? 

Style tips to recreate this look?

Pair gold earrings with matching gold jewelry pieces.

Are you more into the ultra glam style (think Marilyn) or simple classic style (think Lauren Bacall)? Then size your pieces accordingly!

Vintage Costume Jewelry Boom: Affordable Glam

In the 1950s famous brands (i.e. Coro, Monet, and Napier) and designers (Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli), elevated the status and popularity of costume jewelry. 

Plus it was trendy for the top starlets of the era.

Check out the stunning 1950s costume jewelry ads for Albert Weiss and Corocraft featuring trendy rhinestone styles and glitzy floral motifs. (top left)

These sparkling clip earrings only cost from $5 to $10 in the 1950s. That’s about $66 to $130 today, when you consider inflation. (aka “high end” costume jewelry)

Don’t you just love the sparkle of the costume jewels on the witty Jane Russell? (top right)

Not only was she a friend of Marilyn Monroe, but she was known for her outspokenness and wit in Old Hollywood. 

Hummm. Hard to say whether we love her jewels or one liners better! 

“Remember, honey, on your wedding day it’s all right to say ‘yes.'” – Jane Russell, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953

Marilyn Monrooe & Ava Gardner Rock Vintage Costume Jewelry

Remember how the 1950s ladies loved colors for their outfits and matching their jewelry to their dresses? 

Costume jewelry was the ideal accessory for the classy matchy matchy game.

Just check out this 1957 Vogue magazine ad (top left) for the Corocraft jewelry collection absolutely sparkles, with an undeniably Old Hollywood glam aura.

Mixing and matching gold-toned metals and bright red costume statement jewelry adds an unmistakable sizzle to Ava Garnder’s peasant inspired vintage outfit. (top right)

This earring and jewelry pairing helps build the layers of her glamorous, alluring, complex, and enigmatic character. 

Not only is Ava Gardner gorgeous, but she is mysterious and layered.

Who knew jewelry could be so powerful, right? Haha.

And, last but not least, Marilyn Monroe (top left) sizzles in her emerald costume matching jewelry set, as she steals the heart of a jewelry diamond owner in the lol rom com Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953).

Notice how the rich vibrant emerald color of jewelry is echoed in Marilyn Monroe’s wrap tie top.

Need more glam 1950s Marilyn Monroe inspo?
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits – All her Gorgeous Glam Dresses

Doesn’t Marilyn’s look kind of echo the stunning over the top beaded style in the 1955 Trifari costume jewelry ad (top right)? 

The statement stunning stones and beaded style in aqua blue are echoed throughout the matching pieces.

To recreate the 50s costume look today, don’t be afraid to opt for bold, colorful pieces, or faux pearls and jewels.

Don’t forget the 1950s color echoing style secret from Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner.

Color echoing (aka repeating the same color in your outfit) creates harmony and classy flow for your look!

This post was all about 1950s jewelry and 1950s earrings

“Jewelry is like ice cream. There’s always room for more!”

Which 1950s earring styles were your favorite?

Any particular colors or styles catch your attention?