Diamond – The Lucy Room

Lucille Ball’s Lip Print on birthday note card from Gary Morton

On Lucille Ball’s 69th birthday in 1980, Gary Morton gave her a beautiful piece of jewelry. Inside a small envelope with Lucy on the outside was this notecard which Gary affectionately wrote:

“Lucy – Cause I Love you Happy Birthday Morty”

Lucille adored what Gary gave her not only keeping this card but writing what she got in blue marker “gold diamond and pearl necklace!!” On the front of the envelope, she also wrote the year and kissed it leaving a big lip print. This was something Lucy was known to do if she was really impressed by something, or it had special meaning.

March 12, 2025March 12, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Birthday, Card, Gary Morton, Gifts, Handwritten, Jewelry, Letter, Lucille Ball, PersonalTags: 1980, Birthday, Diamond, Gary Morton, Gift, Gold, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Kiss, Letter, Lipstick, Love, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Necklace, Note, Pearl, Personal Leave a comment

Joseff of Hollywood Earrings worn by Lucille Ball in MGM’s “Meet the People”

Lucille Ball’s fourth film with MGM was 1944’s “Meet the People.“ She stars alongside Dick Powell, featuring Virginia O’Brien, Bert Lahr, Rags Ragland and June Allyson in the World War II era musical. Lucy plays Julie Hampton, a Broadway star who leaves the stage to join Rosie the Riveters, becoming a welder and falling in love with her coworker “Swanee” played by Powell.

Lucille wears this pair of simulated diamond and pearl earrings in the movie. Made by Joseff of Hollywood each clip back earring is designed as a cluster of three pear-shaped simulated diamonds, centered upon a simulated pearl.

Eugene Joseff was the premier costume jeweler during Hollywood’s golden age. He developed a matte metal finish for his jewelry which minimized the glare from lighting. Their custom jewels were designed, manufactured, and rented to movie studios and can be seen in nearly every production from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Earrings, Film, Film Worn, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucille Ball, Meet the People, MGMTags: Bert Lahr, Broadway, Cowardly Lion, Diamond, DIck Powell, Earrings, Film Worn, Hollywood, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, June Allyson, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Meet the People, MGM, Movie, Musical, Pearl, Rags Ragland, Screen Worn, Virginia O'Brien, Wizard of Oz, World War II Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Rhinestone Ring Worn to MAME Premiere

Auntie Mame returned to the big screen in 1974 with Lucille Ball starring as Mame Dennis in her last theatrical performance. Directed by Gene Saks (originally George Cukor) the technicolor musical was slated to begin production in early 1972 but was postponed a year after Lucy broke her leg in a skiing accident.

Finally on March 26th the film was released with a lavish Hollywood premiere at the Cinerama Dome on Sunset Blvd. Lucy wore a white ensemble, the same costume she would also wear in the movie, as well as this rhinestone encrusted ring. Featuring clusters of jewels balled together in a mound with an elastic band, it can be seen on her left index finger. Lucille celebrated and danced the night away along side her family, cast, crew and celebrities with the picture at last coming to fruition.

January 11, 2024August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Ring, Warner BrothersTags: Auntie Mame, Broadway, Diamond, Film, Gene Saks, George Cukor, Hollywood, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, MAME, Movie, Musical, Premiere, Rhinestones, Ring, Warner Brothers Leave a comment

Necklace worn by Lucille Ball in “Annabel Takes a Tour” by Joseff of Hollywood

Annabel Takes a Tour (1938) was an early comedic film Lucille Ball starred in while under contract with RKO. It was the sequel to The Affairs of Annabel released that same year. Lucy played Annabel Allison a movie star who is desperate for some good publicity to help boost her career so she does a variety of wacky stunts.

In the film as well as publicity photos, Lucille wears this simulated diamond and sapphire necklace made by Joseff of Hollywood. Measuring twenty three inches in length, it features open metal work centering on a large central medallion.

The necklace as also worn by Bette Davis in a 1930’s publicity portrait, John Bennett in a wardrobe test for The Man in the Iron Mask (1939) Ruth Donnelly in Pillow to Post (1945).

Eugene Joseff was the premier costume jeweler during Hollywood’s golden age. He developed a matte metal finish for his jewelry which minimized the glare from lighting. Their custom jewels were designed, manufactured and rented to movie studios and can be seen in nearly every production from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.

June 13, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Annabel Takes a Tour, Film Worn, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucille Ball, Movie, Necklace, RKOTags: Annabel Takes a Tour, Bette Davis, Diamond, Film, Hollywood, Jewelry, Joan Bennett, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Movie, Necklace, RKO, Ruth Donnelly, Sapphire, Screen Worn Leave a comment