Mentioning between celebrities and diamonds, many people will immediately remember the name of Marilyn Monroe and her song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" in the 1954 movie "Gentleman Prefer Blondes".Like many top Hollywood stars of her time, Marilyn was able to wear beautiful diamonds on loan from jewelers at public appearances and promotions. At a promotion for the move "Gentleman Prefer Blondes" Marilyn Monroe wore The Moon of Baroda, a 24.04 carat, pear shaped yellow diamond worn by Marie Antoinette in the 18th century.
This diamond weighed 25.95 carats before being recut to its current weight. The Moon of Baroda diamond originally came from India, was looted by Afghan tribal leader Nadir Shah in 1739, later returned to Baroda (in western India) where it was kept for almost 200 years until 1943 when it was purchased by Meyer Rosenbaum of Detroit. In 1991 the diamond was auctioned by Christie's, New York. Marilyn Monroe's brief promotional shoot in 1954 simply added to the colorful history of the Moon of Baroda.
