The Heart of the Ocean Sapphire Necklace Will Go On

Titanic: The Movie That Captured Hearts

The 1997 Hollywood blockbuster "Titanic," centered on the massive ship of the same name, stars Kate Winslet as Rose and Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack. It's famous worldwide as the priciest film produced back then, the first to earn over a billion dollars, and a winner of eleven Oscars. Just saying the name often brings up that unforgettable Celine Dion tune and the standout jewelry piece called the Heart of the Ocean Necklace.

The Necklace's Role in the Story

If you're among the few who haven't seen the film, here's a speedy summary of the key events involving the necklace. In the plot, it's an engagement gift from Rose's rich fiancé, Cal. Jack later sketches Rose adorned only with the necklace. Once Rose falls for Jack, she gives it back to Cal. To frame Jack, Cal slips the necklace into Jack's pocket, accuses him of stealing, and reclaims it. When the ship hits trouble, Cal hands his coat to Rose, unaware the necklace is inside. It stays with Rose for decades until, as an old woman, she joins treasure hunter Brock Lovett on a ship at the Titanic wreck site. He'd reached out after finding the drawing of her in the necklace. Rose eventually lets the gem slip into the ocean and passes away serenely, her spirit joining Jack's. The movie portrays the blue stone as a diamond once owned by Louis XVI, which has led some to dig into any actual history behind it.

Behind the Scenes: Creation and Inspiration

Director James Cameron has shared that the Heart of the Ocean Necklace wasn't based on a real item; it was crafted for the storyline to connect the treasure hunter with Rose, a Titanic survivor, and unfold her tale. The diamond draws from the Hope Diamond, though its history doesn't link to the Titanic at all. The piece used in filming, called "Coeur de la Mer," came from London's Asprey & Garrard, shaped from budget-friendly blue quartz. But after the movie's huge hit, they crafted a fancier version with a 170-carat sapphire and 65 white diamonds. Learn more about Sapphire Gemstone Information. This high-value necklace sold at auction for $2.2 million to an unnamed buyer during a charity event supporting the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and Aid for AIDS. Interestingly, it was loaned to Celine Dion for her Oscar performance of "My Heart Will Go On" in 1998.

Replicas and Star-Studded Appearances

Ever since the Heart of the Ocean debuted, replicas have popped up everywhere. One standout inspired by the film is a 15-carat blue diamond necklace from Harry Winston, valued at $20 million. Actress Gloria Stuart, who portrayed the elderly Rose, wore it to the 1998 Academy Awards. Back then, it was the costliest jewelry ever at the event. That record fell in 1999 when Whoopi Goldberg, hosting in a Queen Elizabeth I outfit, sported $41 million in Harry Winston pieces, including a single 107-carat white diamond ring worth $15 million. Another renowned piece is the Bismarck Sapphire Necklace.

A True Titanic Treasure: The Love of the Sea

There's also a tale of a blue sapphire necklace known as "The Love of the Sea." This octagonal sapphire, mounted in platinum with surrounding diamonds, belonged to Kate Florence Phillips, a passenger on the Titanic. She was traveling with her married lover, Henry Samuel Morley, owner of upscale confectionery shops in London where Kate worked as an assistant. They aimed to begin anew in America.

Henry secured the Love of the Sea around Kate's neck before the ship went down. Tragically, Henry perished in the icy waters, but Kate escaped on a lifeboat and reached the US, staying four months. Upon learning she was expecting, she headed back to the UK, where her grandparents aided in raising her daughter, Ellen, who later received the necklace. Ellen sold it to a Titanic memorabilia collector. The pendant eventually went to someone from the Nomadic Trust, which restores the SS Nomadic - Titanic's tender ship. Opened to visitors in 2013, the vessel features the Love of the Sea in an exhibit on "Titanic's little sister," where it likely stays today, more than a century after the doomed voyage.

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