This sparkling necklace is interesting because unlike many jewelry pieces in Hollywood that are attributed to Eugene Joseff (Joseff of Hollywood), Paramount was the only studio to have their own jewelry department. Because all of the films in question are attributed to Paramount studios, while it’s possible this is a Joseff of Hollywood piece, it likely came from the studio’s own jewelry collection.

The necklace was first seen in a 1941 publicity shot of Lupe Vélez. Lupe worked at several studios, including RKO and Columbia, but in 1941 she only made one film for Universal – Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga. This publicity photo of Vélez in the necklace was likely taken around the time of that filming.

The piece went on to be worn several more times, including on scream queen Evelyn Ankers as Isabel Lewis in the 1943 film The Mad Ghoul, followed by Helen Broderick as Glory Marlow Sr. in 1944’s Chip Off the Old Block, as well as Martha O’Driscoll as Katie Wells the following year in Under Western Skies.

The piece appeared two more times in the 1940s in publicity photos of actress Maria Montez, though it is unknown if these photos were taken in the early 40s or late 40s, as Montez was active at Universal throughout most of the decade.

What do you think of the history of this jewelry? Let us know!