These are the women who defined 20th-century glamour. From socialites to actresses and royalty, there are certain trendsetters who preferred all things precious and glittering. Check out these six fashion icons of fine jewelry.

1. Barbara Hutton

Heiress to the Woolworth retail store fortune, Barbara Hutton was one of the wealthiest women in the world before she was even out of her teens. Though the Woolworth fortune was vast, a troubled life led Barbara to spend nearly every penny by the time she passed in 1979 — the only remains of her fortune was her vast jewelry collection.

Hutton was an avid jewelry collector, amassing an impressive private collection throughout her life. One of her favorite gemstones was jade, with her collection featuring stunning Cartier carved jade bangles. She also had a jadeite carved bead necklace featuring 27 graduated jadeite beads of stunning color and translucence. She owned a pearl necklace that once belonged to Marie Antoinette of France. Her favorite jeweler was, without a doubt, Cartier, and Barbara was a lifelong patron of the French jeweler.

2. Elizabeth Taylor

Last year at a Christie’s auction, Elizabeth Taylor’s private jewelry collection sold at auction for over $137 million in total — the record for a single-owner auction. Elizabeth Taylor was undoubtedly known for her glamour and obsession with precious gemstones. She even has a 33.19-carat diamond named after her, and a 68-carat diamond named after her and her two-time husband Richard Burton.

Her collection included highlights such as the natural 50.56-carat La Peregrina pearl, first discovered in the 1500s. Her collection contained jewels of historic importance and unbelievable provenance. Her collection featured pieces from Cartier, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels and more of the world’s top jewelers. She owned some of the finest emeralds, sapphires and diamonds in the world.

3. Wallis Simpson

Wallis Simpson held the record for the largest private-jewelry auction before Elizabeth Taylor’s collection took the title. The American-born Duchess of Windsor was known for her style, sophistication and taste in fine jewelry. At a Sotheby’s auction in 1987, her collection sold for a total of $53.5 million across 214 items.

King Edward VIII of the British Royal Family showered Wallis with expensive jewelry gifts and eventually abdicated the throne so he could marry the woman he loved. At the 1987 auction, her 31-carat diamond ring sold for $3.15 million. Elizabeth Taylor bought the Three Ostrich Plume Diamond Brooch which was designed by Edward as a gift for Simpson before their wedding. Simpson had a love for Cartier, especially panthere jewelry. Edward had two impressive panthere pieces commissioned for Simpson and the Duchess of Windsor is even thought to have started the big cat trend in fine jewelry. In 2010, her Cartier panthere bracelet sold for $7.4 million.

4. Daisy Fellowes

Dasiy Fellowes was heiress to the Singer sewing machine fortune as well as a French aristocrat. Fellowes was known for her style, intelligence, humor and beauty. She even served as the Paris editor of the American Harper’s Bazaar. Her sophisticated and often daring style included the finest jewels of the 20th century.

One of her most famous possessions was the Cartier Tutti Frutti necklace, the prototypical ideal of the Cartier icon. Fellowes had bought two tutti frutti bracelets and a necklace from Cartier and then commissioned a new design from the French jeweler. Fellowes’ pieces provided 785 gemstones, including 594 diamonds, and Cartier contributed an additional 238 diamonds and 8 rubies to complete the piece. The piece is called the Collier Hindou and was purchased by Cartier at an auction in 1991 for $2.65 million.

5. Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly was both fashion royalty and actual royalty. After marrying Prince Rainier of Monaco, Princess Grace had her name attached to the Hermes Kelly bag and accessories. Her favorite designers were French favorites Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. Her engagement ring given by Prince Rainier was a 10.47-carat Cartier emerald-cut diamond ring.

One of Grace’s well-known pieces is a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond tiara she wore only once to her daughter’s wedding. The tiara features 144 diamonds, for a total of 77.34 carats, and is set in platinum and white gold. The tiara has since been in Van Cleef and Arpels’ possession. Princess Grace’s collection also featured a stunning platinum and ruby tiara by Cartier and several animal-inspired brooches.

Photo Credit: tatler.com / harpersbazaar.co.uk / classicmoviechat.com

We love the latest trends, new designers and classic watches. However, there’s always something special about a rare vintage jewelry style or one-of-a-kind antique piece. Check out our favorite vintage and antique pieces throughout the last century.

2. Victorian Rings

[Enamel & Pearl Ring][Shell Cameo Ring][Signet Ring][Opal Cocktail Ring]

The Victorian Era, roughly from 1837 to 1901, is named after the reign of Queen Victoria. The Queen especially loved jewelry and had a large influence over the trends and styles of the era. During this time, the industrial revolution had begun and the production of jewelry began to increase substantially.

Some of our favorite styles came in the form of rings. At this time, cameo jewelry was a popular accessory. Signet rings were a practical accessory that makes for a elegant touch today. Shell, enamel and opal were popular materials used in jewelry making.

1. Edwardian

[Sapphire Cocktail Ring][Platinum & Diamond Pendant][T & Co. Diamond Bracelet]

King Edward VII, son of Queen Victoria, ascended the throne upon the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. The new leader also ushered in a new era of jewelry design. The wealth of the time led to a elegant and elaborate jewelry designs.

Edwardian jewelry was inspired by lace and filigree designs of 18th century France. Platinum brought its presence to the jewelry scene, making it easier to set diamonds in intricately worked metal. Pieces during this time were influenced by foreign designs, especially Indian jewelry.

3. Vintage 1980s Chanel

[Faux Pearl Choker][CC Medallion Necklace][Gripoix Brooch][Gripoix Necklace]

Coco Chanel played a massive role in the popularization of costume jewelry. She believe that no outfit was complete without the right accessories and that if jewelry were more affordable, then women could properly accessorize.

We love the bold-yet-wearable look of Chanel costume jewelry from the ’80s. Chanel jewelry from the early 1980s is also some of the easiest to date. Prior to the 1980-1985 seasons, you could only tell from what range of years your piece was from. If you had a round Chanel stamp with three stars beneath, then you could tell it was from between the years 1954-1971. From 1980-1985, Chanel stamped the exact year. After that, the season was stamped, then the year again.

4. Vintage Watches

[Breitling Chronomat][Patek Philippe 2493][T & Co. Pocket Watch][IWC Mesh Watch]

Vintage watches are a staple for any watch collector. The history of watches is long, detailed and fascinating. If you love a certain style or story, then you can collect a watch in tribute. From pocket watches to chronographs to changes in size and style, there’s a vintage watch for everyone to love.

The first watches were made in the 16th century as decorative accessories and barely told the time. Over centuries and decades, movements and designs improved to make the watch no only beautiful, but accurate and practical. Now, we have wristwatches of the highest timekeeping precision and even a watch with 57 complications.