Thanks to its instant recognisability as a reflection of wealth and power, jewellery has been a prominent feature of entertainment from the early days. It has been used regularly in film in a variety of ways, from enhancing a character’s personality to being an active part in the story. It has also had an enduring presence in the world of gaming, with dazzling jewels often used to catch the eye of players and provide an enchanting feel to the gameplay. And, outside of the actual media itself, celebrities involved in the arts have often flaunted their own jewellery collections, further deepening their connections within contemporary culture.
How Jewellery Has Played a Crucial Role in Film
Jewellery isn’t just an accessory in film – it’s used with a clear purpose. It can often be a way to define characters or signal a transformation. A great example of the latter is in Pretty Woman, when Julia Roberts’ character receives a stunning ruby and diamond necklace. This signifies her evolution and expresses her newfound elegance.
In Moulin Rouge!, it’s used differently when Nicole Kidman’s character, Satine, is gifted an emerald and diamond necklace. In this circumstance, the jewellery item symbolises exclusivity, with the Duke offering it in exchange for Satine’s company.
There have been other memorable times in which jewellery has played a pivotal role in a movie. For instance, the Heart of the Ocean in Titanic was crucial to the film’s narrative, being central to its romance and tragedy. The blue diamond necklace is initially a gift from Rose’s wealthy fiancé, being a token of his affection, while also revealing his more manipulative nature. Ultimately, though, it becomes symbolic of Rose’s love for Jack.
Along with being symbolic of the complex romantic allegiances in the film, the Heart of the Ocean was also a narrative device. Indeed, the whole plot of James Cameron’s film is centred around the search for the precious item, which was believed to be lost in the wreck. In this way, it might be considered a form of “MacGuffin”, which is an object that kickstarts the plot and fuels the characters’ motivations in the film. Except, while the Heart of the Ocean itself is greatly symbolic, with MacGuffins, it doesn’t typically matter exactly what the object is or represents. These instances of jewellery are particularly prominent in films belonging to the fantasy and crime genres.
Dazzling Jewellery: A Deeply Rooted Feature of Gaming
Jewellery has also been a key feature of gaming over the years, as most players will instantly understand that it represents high value, making it an ideal collectable item. In some games, the whole aim is to collect items of jewellery to get higher points. In others, there might be a more linear level-based system that nevertheless rewards players for gaining collectables along the way, such as by boosting their stats or unlocking various items, and possibly even bonus stages.
The adjacent iGaming sector is another area that has utilised the iconography of jewellery throughout its history. With video games, jewellery represents items that usually enhance the player’s experience of the game in some way, encouraging players to improve their skills. It works slightly differently in casino games, however, as the outcomes are always random. Since strategy isn’t typically a factor here, jewellery symbols simply make it clearer to players if they’ve won something. A certain combination of gems and diamonds might mean a win, while various other symbols indicate different results. Many games on the market feature jewellery as symbols, with them even forming an integral part of the identity of UK online casino games like Joker’s Jewels and Stellar Jewels Power Combo. These sit alongside other titles drawing from glitz and glamour aesthetics, such as the live table Bellagio Roulette.
It’s no surprise that jewellery has been used so much in these areas of entertainment. They can evoke feelings of luxury or achievement, meaning players instantly know what they’re looking to obtain, no matter if the game relies on strategy or random chance.
Jewellery Used for Status by Celebrities
Further cementing jewellery’s role in media, it has been a mainstay in celebrity culture throughout history as well, serving a variety of functions amongst the movie and musical elite. Along with highlighting a star’s affluent status, it can also be used as a form of identity. When celebrities strut down red carpets and pose in front of the cameras, their jewellery choice is often a reflection of their unique personas.
When you think of celebrities and jewellery, there have been a few names that have stood out over the years. Rappers like Drake, for instance, are well-known for their customised bling and showing off all the ice they can afford. It shows how they have climbed the social ladder and sometimes celebrates a rags-to-riches story. Elton John is another who’s known for extravagant brooches and rings, highlighting his flamboyant persona.
It’s easy to see why jewellery’s use is so common across all areas of entertainment. For one thing, it’s something that everyone can recognise as symbolising extraordinary value. On top of that, there are countless different types of jewellery to display. These can convey diverse meanings and are often open to people’s individual interpretations. Jewellery will no doubt continue to shine in entertainment for many years to come.
