Culture & Style
Downton Abbey’s Final Film Features Its Most Dazzling Diamond Jewels Yet
By Elana Zajdman, Updated: September 10, 2025
Downton Abbey’s last act shines brighter than ever,
featuring authentic jewels valued at over $1.4 million.
Elizabeth McGovern stars as Cora Grantham, Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary and Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale, a Focus Features release. (Credit: Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC)
Downton Abbey returns this fall with its final movie installment, premiering Friday, September 12, 2025. At this point, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve most likely seen the acclaimed historical drama in some form.
It’s been over a decade, fifteen years to be exact, since Julian Fellowes introduced the Crawleys to the world. Since its PBS debut in 2010, we watched for six consecutive seasons as the Crawleys and those who serve them moved through the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, and the Roaring Twenties. As time marched on, the only constant was the sumptuous diamond jewelry.
Meet the Expert
- Omar Vaja is the senior specialist at Bentley & Skinner, suppliers of antique, period, and bespoke jewelry, in London’s Mayfair neighborhood.
- He has been a sales professional with the company since 1993.
- He has a passion for antique jewellery with a special interest in the Belle Époque era.
Downton Abbey Movies: From the Series to the Grand Finale
Nearly three years after the final season wrapped, the first film, Downton Abbey, was released (2019). The film’s debut proved the franchise was still a mega-hit, raking in nearly $194 million worldwide, and making it one of Focus Features’ highest-ranking films to date. Eager for more, the audience patiently waited for film number two. After numerous release-date delays, in May of this year, came Downton Abbey: A New Era. Written again by Fellowes and directed by My Week With Marilyn’s Simon Curtis, the Crawleys decamp to the South of France to uncover the mystery behind Violet Crawley, The Dowager Countess of Grantham’s (played with relish by Maggie Smith) newly inherited villa.
This year marks the highly anticipated final installment, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, once again written by Julian Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis. The story picks up after Lady Mary’s scandalous divorce and the Crawley family’s financial struggles, as both upstairs and downstairs must confront sweeping change—with the next generation poised to lead Downton Abbey into a new era.
Downton Abbey Fashion and Jewelry: A World of Vintage Glamour
When it comes to period pieces like Downton Abbey, along with a storyline that leaves you on the edge of your seat, it’s the costumes that play a vital role in bringing the director’s vision to life. In addition to the exquisite fashion, the vintage diamond jewelry plays a pivotal part in conveying the lavish lifestyle the characters navigated over time. From countless multi-layered pearl strands, colored stones, a plethora of hefty diamond-encrusted tiaras, and ornate brooches, the jewelry has been an integral part of each of the ladies in Downton, since that long-ago premiere.
Credit: Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
Credit: Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
The first season begins in 1912, while The Grand Finale commences in 1930. Caroline McCall was at the helm as the costume designer for seasons one through four of the television series, and Anna Mary Scott Robbins was the costume lead for the show’s last two seasons, as well as the three films. We saw decadent vintage frocks from the Edwardian period and embellished flapper dresses as the ladies of the Abbey transitioned into the beginning of the modern world.
You’ve probably heard Lady Cora Crawley (played by Elizabeth McGovern) say more times than you’d care to admit, “the modern world comes to Downton.” In addition to the many historical events the franchise depicts, it was important to the costume team to incorporate namesake jewelers with close ties to the actual House of Windsor, dating back for more than a century.
Over the years, Bentley & Skinner, suppliers of antique, period, and bespoke jewelry in London’s posh Mayfair district, worked closely with the Downton Abbey jewelry and costume team to pull pieces for both the television show and the films. In The Grand Finale, the leading ladies wear 13 incredible pieces from Bentley & Skinner throughout the film. These pieces, seen below, will be showcased in a special in-store display, open to the public from September 11th through October 31st at Bentley & Skinner in London.
Bentley & Skinner Jewelry’s Starring Role in Downton Abbey
Bentley & Skinner Edwardian Pink Topaz & Diamond Brooch-Pendant, circa 1900, worn by Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Grantham, $95,669.69, 1stdibs.com
Bentley & Skinner Victorian Diamond Star Brooch, circa 1870, worn by Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith
Bentley & Skinner Convertible Diamond Tiara, worn by Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary, $131.133.39, 1stdibs.com
Bentley & Skinner Turn-of-the-Century Diamond Fringe Tiara, circa 1900, worn by Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, £185,000, bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Belle Époque Natural Pearl & Diamond Sautoir Necklace, circa 1915, £150,000, bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Briolette-Cut Diamond Spectacle Chain Necklace worn by Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Grantham, £69,750, bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Art Deco Diamond Bracelet, circa 1925, worn by Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, £47,500, bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Architectural Diamond Brooch worn by Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary, £29,750, bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner 1930s Art Deco Double Clip Brooch worn by Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary, £25,000, bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Edwardian Diamond Foliate Necklace, circa 1910, £39,750, bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Contemporary Diamond Tassel Earrings, Bentley & Skinner, 2020
Bentley & Skinner Belle Époque Diamond Tiara, circa 1910, worn by Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Grantham, £195,000 bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Art Deco Aquamarine & Diamond Brooch by Hennell, circa 1930, worn by Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, $185,833.22, 1stdibs.com
Well known for its coveted collection of unique engagement rings, it’s their incredible craftsmanship and jewelry restoration that truly sets them apart from other jewelers. According to Senior Specialist Omar Vaja, it was a seamless partnership.
“It was very easy to work with the costume team from Downton Abbey as they had very clear ideas of what would work for the characters and go with the costumes. We have a vast stock of vintage items to choose from,” notes Vaja. In addition to the fictional Crawley Family, members of the Royal Family have been clients of the jewelry store since the latter part of Queen Victoria’s reign. Several Bentley & Skinner one-of-a-kind diamond headpieces, earrings, and brooches can be spotted both in the television series and the two films.
If you’re in the market for a special piece inspired by the incredible diamond jewelry seen throughout the Downton Abbey franchise (to date), it’s important to take the time to research what pieces speak to you. There’s no question that shopping for diamond jewelry similar to the iconic pieces worn by Lady Mary or Lucy Branson (Smith’s) exquisite wedding days is no short order, but it doesn’t need to feel like a daunting task.
Look for the diamond colors, cuts, shapes, settings, and sizes that complement your style or the lucky person you’re shopping for. Vaja recommends first starting the process by heading to the treasure trove at Bentley & Skinner for ideas. “Antique markets and jewelry fairs are also a good jumping off point,” adds Vaja. The best part about shopping for diamonds is that you’ll treasure them forever and pass them down for generations, making it the perfect investment.
In the second film, 6 pieces were selected for the three leading ladies, while the third film featured 13 exquisite pieces from Bentley and Skinner, with some even available for purchase from 1st Dibs. There are also plenty of ways to get the look with near-identical pieces from vintage jewelers and modern jewelry houses alike.
How to Get the Downton Abbey Jewelry Look
Edwardian Platinum and Old European Cut Diamond Dangle Earrings, $2,950, 1stdibs.com
Briony Raymond Art Deco Rock Crystal and Diamond Fringe Earrings, $17,850, brionyraymond.com
Briony Raymond Antique Art Deco Moonstone and Diamond Bracelet, $74,000, brionyraymond.com
Bentley & Skinner Edwardian Diamond and Pearl-Set Tiara/Necklace, £57,500, bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Edwardian Diamond-Set Necklace, £47,500, Bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Edwardian Natural Pearl and Diamond Spectacle Chain, £24,500, Bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Art Deco Diamond Set Bracelet, £22,750, Bentley-skinner.co.uk
Bentley & Skinner Edwardian Natural Pearl and Diamond Earrings, £8,750, Bentley-skinner.co.uk
Lang Antiques Art Deco Onyx and Diamond Brooch, $14,750, langantiques.com
Lang Antiques Late Art Deco Three Row Diamond Band Ring, $1,950, langantiques.com
Lang Antiques Art Deco Diamond Filigree Bracelet by Kohn, USA, $3,750, langantiques.com
Seasons one through six of Downton Abbey are available to stream now on Amazon Prime and Netflix. Downton Abbey, the film, and Downton Abbey: A New Era are available to stream on Peacock. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale comes to theaters Friday, September 12, 2025.
