Discover the story of Chopard’s legendary rubellite and diamond necklace—a haute joaillerie masterpiece whose rare colored stone, dramatic silhouette, and repeated appearances on the red carpet have made it a lasting symbol of elegance and timeless craftsmanship.

The Heart of the Necklace

At the center of this iconic design lies a 123+ carat pear-shaped rubellite tourmaline—a stone of exceptional size, hue, clarity, and rarity. Rubellite, a vibrant pink to red variety of tourmaline, is prized because large, fine-quality pieces are exceedingly scarce. In this necklace, the vivid gem is suspended gracefully from a collar formed by 65+ carats of pavé diamonds, each set in 18K white gold (or platinum, depending on the version). The overall design balances gravity and lightness: the heavy gemstone is seemingly floating, held by minimal visible structure, while the collar wraps the neck with fluid elegance.

While exact transactions remain private, jewellery industry reports have placed the necklace’s value at around $1.2 million. This figure reflects not only the rarity of the rubellite and diamonds but also the prestige of Chopard’s craftsmanship and its cultural legacy on the red carpet.

Journey Across the Red Carpet

While celebrity culture often dominates jewellery narratives, the story of this necklace is compelling on its own. Over the past decade, it has appeared on some of the most visible stages in the world, each time reinforcing its status as a modern icon of high jewellery.

The journey began at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, when Jane Fonda wore the necklace to the premiere of Inside Llewyn Davis. Her raspberry-hued gown echoed the deep tones of the rubellite, allowing the jewel to command the spotlight on the red carpet.

A year later, in 2014, the piece stepped beyond Cannes to make an appearance at Rihanna’s Diamond Ball. Paired with sculptural fashion, the necklace proved its versatility, adapting effortlessly from film premieres to gala stages.

Almost a decade later, in 2023, the necklace returned to Cannes in two memorable moments. At the amfAR Gala, Georgina Rodríguez paired it with stark black, letting the vivid rubellite and diamonds stand out in striking contrast. That same season, Karina of the K-pop group aespa debuted the jewel on the red carpet, wearing it with a strapless black gown that emphasized its dramatic silhouette. Reports suggest the design had been subtly refined by then, with slight adjustments to the diamond setting.

The necklace’s fourth Cannes appearance came in 2024, at the premiere of Motel Destino. Actress Bella Thorne styled it with minimal accompanying jewellery, ensuring the collar remained the centerpiece of her look.

Following its many high-profile appearances, reports suggest the necklace was sold in 2024—perhaps closing one chapter of its public journey while beginning another in private collections.Beyond the Spotlight

Given the rarity and prestige of this necklace, many of its showings were private or under tight security. It likely appeared in elite events, auctions, and exhibitions not publicly documented. Its movement through galleries and potential reappearances in future collections adds to its mystique.

Jane Fonda — Cannes 2013

Legendary actress and activist Jane Fonda brought Hollywood glamour to the 66th Cannes Film Festival in 2013, wearing Chopard’s rubellite and diamond necklace to the premiere of *Inside Llewyn Davis*. Her raspberry-hued off-shoulder gown echoed the warmth of the central stone, ensuring the jewel took center stage on the red carpet.
*© Getty Images*

Rihanna — Diamond Ball 2014

Global superstar Rihanna introduced the necklace to a new stage in 2014, wearing it to her inaugural Diamond Ball in Beverly Hills. Known for her fearless fashion, she paired the rubellite and diamond jewel with a sculptural burgundy gown, proving that the piece could transcend Cannes and command attention at one of the music industry’s most glamorous galas.
*© Getty Images*

Georgina Rodríguez — amfAR Gala 2023

Model and entrepreneur Georgina Rodríguez wore the necklace in 2023 at the amfAR Gala during the Cannes Film Festival. Supporting the foundation’s annual HIV and AIDS research fundraiser, Rodríguez chose a sleek black off-shoulder gown that gave the rubellite and diamonds dramatic prominence against a minimalist silhouette.
*© Getty Images*

Karina (aespa) — Cannes 2023

For her Cannes red-carpet debut in 2023, Karina of the K-pop group aespa wore the Chopard necklace with a strapless black gown. The pared-back styling allowed the rubellite centerpiece to shine. Reports suggest the necklace may have been subtly refined at this time, with diamond adjustments that reflected its evolving journey.
*© Getty Images*

Bella Thorne Wore the Necklace in 2024

The necklace made its fourth Cannes appearance in 2024, at the premiere of *Motel Destino*. Bella Thorne paired it with a dramatic black gown and minimal additional jewellery, ensuring that Chopard’s rubellite masterpiece remained the undeniable focus of her look.
*© Getty Images*

Value and Investment

High jewellery of this caliber often transcends adornment—it can become a strategic investment. Factors that contribute to long-term value include:

Gemstone rarity: Large rubellites of fine quality are exceptionally scarce, and demand for rare colored gemstones continues to grow.

Provenance: A piece with a documented history of red carpet appearances and celebrity wearers carries additional cultural and resale appeal.

Craftsmanship premium: Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie pieces hold strong brand value, often making them highly sought-after at auction.

Market resilience: In times of economic uncertainty, top-tier gemstones and heritage jewellery can act as tangible stores of value, much like fine art.

For collectors, a necklace like this represents not only beauty but also a lasting asset—an object capable of carrying prestige, history, and financial weight simultaneously.

Enduring Legacy

Rarity and scale: Few gemstones of this magnitude and color quality exist.

Technical audacity: The suspension of such a gemstone defies convention.

Narrative continuity: Its decade-long journey across stages makes it unforgettable.

Future legacy: As it moves into private or institutional hands, its story continues.

The Maison Behind the Masterpiece

Founded in 1860 by Louis-Ulysse Chopard in Switzerland, Chopard has grown from a maker of pocket watches to a global powerhouse in both fine jewellery and haute horlogerie. Over its history, the Maison has built a reputation for combining precision, technical mastery, and bold design gestures. In the 1970s, under the leadership of Karl Scheufele III, Chopard expanded into high jewellery and red carpet collaborations, launching pieces that blend artistry and investment-quality gemstones. Today, Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie line continues to push boundaries—with responsibly sourced materials and masterful settings.

If you want to discover more about Chopard creations, visit the official Chopard.com

Chopard Rubellite & Diamond Necklace | The Story Behind an Icon