There is something about autumn on screen that makes jewellery look even more romantic. Maybe it is the warm lighting, chunky knitwear and falling leaves, or perhaps it is simply that gold, gemstones and vintage-inspired jewellery seem made for the season.

Autumn has given us some seriously memorable jewellery moments. There are romantic proposals, heirloom jewels, statement necklaces and, naturally, the occasional piece of jewellery that turns out to be a USB stick. Here are some of our favourite jewellery moments from autumn movies and TV shows.

Gilmore Girls - Season 4

Few television shows capture autumn quite like Gilmore Girls. With Stars Hollow's changing leaves, cosy jumpers and endless cups of coffee, it is practically the unofficial television series of autumn.

One particularly sweet jewellery moment comes in Season 4, when Luke gives Lorelai a pair of delicate drop earrings. The simple earrings suit Lorelai's understated style perfectly and are a lovely example of how everyday jewellery can become meaningful when it comes from someone special. And considering Luke's usual approach to romance, remembering to buy jewellery at all deserves some credit.

Pretty Little Liars - Season 3, Episode 2

If you prefer your autumn evenings with a little more murder, mystery and teenage drama, Pretty Little Liars has you covered.

The show also gives us a rather more innocent jewellery moment when Hanna discovers an owl pendant in Caleb's backpack and assumes it is a romantic gift. Naturally, Pretty Little Liars being Pretty Little Liars, the owl pendant is actually a high-tech flash drive that Caleb has been using to pass information to Jenna. Romance really does not stand a chance in Rosewood.

Knives Out - 2019

Knives Out may be a murder mystery, but it also gives us some memorable jewellery styling.

Joni Thrombey, played by Toni Collette, wears a distinctive rhodochrosite statement necklace, perfectly suited to her bohemian lifestyle-guru persona. The bold pink gemstone adds another layer to Joni's carefully curated image - because nothing says “wellness entrepreneur” quite like an enormous gemstone necklace while your extremely wealthy family is being interrogated about a suspicious death.

Gossip Girl - Season 5

If Gilmore Girls gives us cosy autumn, Gossip Girl gives us the season's more glamorous Upper East Side interpretation.

In Season 5, we see the show's most extravagant jewellery moments during Blair's ill-fated royal wedding to Prince Louis. Her regal tiara and diamond necklace perfectly complement her bridal look, bringing together the romance of a royal wedding with the unmistakable glamour of the Upper East Side.

Little Women - 2019

Few films capture the warmth and nostalgia of autumn quite like Greta Gerwig's Little Women.

One of the film's most charming jewellery moments is the exchange of the “Quick” ring between Jo March, played by Saoirse Ronan, and Laurie, played by Timothée Chalamet. Created by jeweller Jessica de Lotz, the ring features a hand-stamped 19th-century-style wax seal with a steam train emblem and the word “Quick”, set on a twisted silver wire shank.

The ring becomes a subtle symbol of Jo and Laurie's deep friendship and connection. Costume designer Jacqueline Durran used clothing and accessories to visually link the pair as kindred, androgynous spirits, with Laurie wearing the ring throughout the film. Eventually, their relationship takes a more romantic turn and Laurie proposes - although the ring itself remains a reminder of the complicated bond between them.

Downton Abbey - Season 3

Autumn and period jewellery are a particularly perfect combination, and Downton Abbey delivers both in abundance.

At the beginning of Season 3, Lady Mary Crawley walks down the aisle to marry Matthew Crawley wearing a breathtaking diamond floral tiara. The antique tiara was loaned to the production by Mayfair jewellers Bentley & Skinner and dates from the early 1800s. It features floral and foliate motifs set with approximately 45 carats of old-cut diamonds, mounted in silver and gold.

The historic jewel was originally given to Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife, making Lady Mary's wedding jewellery feel like a genuine piece of aristocratic history rather than simply a costume accessory. It was also worn as a headband, cleverly adapting an antique jewel for the 1920s styling of the series.

Coraline - 2009

Autumn's darker side is perfectly captured by Coraline, where even a pearl ring comes with a warning.

During the first circus performance in the Other World, Miss Forcible wears a distinctive pearl ring. Later, Coraline discovers a large pearl set in white metal connected to the ghost children, turning what initially appears to be a pretty piece of jewellery into part of the film's sinister supernatural storyline.

It is perhaps a useful reminder that pearls can be romantic, elegant and timeless.

 

Anne with an E - Season 1, Episode 2

Anne with an E offers a much more traditional piece of jewellery drama - although Anne manages to turn it into an emotional catastrophe.

In Season 1, Episode 2, Marilla Cuthbert discovers that her cherished amethyst brooch is missing and accuses Anne of stealing it. Anne is innocent, but desperate to attend the upcoming church picnic, she eventually claims that she lost the brooch.

The misunderstanding becomes a major emotional turning point before Marilla discovers the brooch had simply fallen between the chair cushions. Anne is cleared, and the experience helps deepen the bond between Anne and the Cuthberts.

A valuable lesson for anyone with a jewellery collection: before accusing someone of stealing your gemstone brooch, perhaps check the sofa.

Death Becomes Her - 1992

For those who prefer their autumn glamour with a little more excess, Death Becomes Her is hard to beat.

Lisle, played by Isabella Rossellini, wears a dramatic multi-layered necklace featuring colourful gemstones and beads, draped across her bare torso like a piece of sculptural body jewellery. The look is unapologetically maximalist and perfectly suited to the film's extravagant aesthetic.

It is jewellery styling with absolutely no interest in being understated.

Waiting to Exhale - 1995

Few jewellery moments make a statement quite like Angela Bassett's in Waiting to Exhale.

After Bernadine discovers that her husband has betrayed her, she loads his belongings into his car, sets the vehicle on fire and walks away. Beneath a flowing white silk robe, she wears black lace lingerie and a bold Bulgari gold-and-diamond choker, creating one of the most memorable revenge looks in cinematic history.

The diamond choker adds a powerful touch of glamour to an already unforgettable scene - proving that sometimes the right piece of jewellery can be the final detail in a very dramatic exit.

Maid in Manhattan - 2002

Jennifer Lopez delivers the ultimate jewellery transformation in Maid in Manhattan.

At a black-tie gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Marisa Ventura appears in a striking coral Bob Mackie gown paired with a spectacular Harry Winston diamond wreath Cluster necklace and matching earrings. The necklace features 180 marquise, pear-shaped and round brilliant diamonds, totalling more than 48.8 carats.

The floral wreath-inspired design was originally created by Harry Winston in the 1940s and was chosen for the film by costume designer Albert Wolsky. It is the kind of jewellery moment that makes a “before and after” transformation feel genuinely cinematic - and proves that sometimes diamonds really are the finishing touch.

The Devil Wears Prada - 2006

Miranda Priestly may not need an introduction, but her jewellery certainly deserves one.

In The Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streep wears Simon Alcantara gold hoops featuring faceted garnet beads, with the hoops hand-woven using gold kimono thread. The warm red tones of the garnet gemstones work beautifully with Miranda's powerful, sophisticated wardrobe.

Miranda also wears a striking Art Deco-inspired jade ring, featuring coral and onyx details. Together, the pieces demonstrate how coloured gemstones can make a statement without relying on diamonds - which is very Miranda: distinctive, expensive-looking and absolutely unwilling to blend into the background. 

Twilight - 2008

It would be impossible to talk about autumnal movies without mentioning Twilight. Misty forests, falling leaves, gloomy skies and vampires practically make it the ultimate autumn film series - and its jewellery moments are equally memorable.

In The Twilight Saga, Edward Cullen proposes to Bella Swan with a distinctive oval-shaped diamond engagement ring that once belonged to his mother, Elizabeth Masen. The vintage-inspired ring features a cluster of diamonds in an oval design white metal detailing, giving Bella's engagement ring a distinctly antique feel.

Pretty Women – 1990

When Edward (Richard Gere) takes Vivian (Julia Roberts) to the opera, she wears an unforgettable ruby and diamond opera necklace with her iconic red gown. The 18ct white gold necklace features 23 pear-shaped rubies set within diamond-encrusted hearts.

The real necklace was so valuable that armed guards from the jeweller accompanied it to set and stayed behind the camera throughout filming. Talk about jewellery that comes with security.

Find Your Own Autumn Jewellery Moment

Inspired by the jewellery moments on screen? At Holts Gems, we believe the right piece can become part of your own story - whether you're searching for a meaningful diamond engagement ring, a colourful gemstone necklace, elegant drop earrings or a timeless piece of gold jewellery to wear season after season.

Explore our collection of carefully selected jewellery and discover a piece that feels worthy of its own cinematic moment. After all, your jewellery box deserves a little main-character energy too.