Although she's remembered for her kindness and her charitable work, Diana Spencer became a fashion icon during the years after her 1981 marriage to Prince Charles. Diana had access to the British Royal Family's jewelry, and assembled a collection of her own before her death in 1997. And although Diana wore many types of jewelry, a few components and styles were constant: pearls and chokers. She wasn't afraid to combine jewelry to create a look that differed from the originals, or to wear jewelry in unconventional ways (like the emerald choker Diana wore as a headband during a trip to Australia in 1985). Take a look back at some of Diana's jewelry, beginning in 1980.

_{Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images}

Did you know that there are ways to make a diamond appear larger than it actually is? The final look of any gemstone depends on a combination of its cut, shape and setting, and you can alter one or more of those characteristics to make a diamond look larger than its true carat weight.

Pearls and Alexandrite are both June birthstones, but genuine Alexandrite is rare, and usually expensive. So most Junies wear pearls to represent their birth dates. There's no shortage of pearls. You'll find them in so many colors and shapes that you might have a hard time choosing just one piece of jewelry. Try wearing an assortment of pearls in different sizes and colors, or mix them with other jewelry like Sandra Bullock did for a movie premiere.

Most pearls are very affordable -- if you love them you can build a collection without too much strain on your budget. Use these resources to learn more about the types of pearls you'll encounter when you shop.

_{Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images}

It's exciting to see all the different colors and shapes of cultured pearls that are being used in contemporary jewelry, and some of my personal favorites are created when pearls are combined with colorful gems. But pearls get dirty, just like any other jewelry component, and you have to clean them carefully to avoid damage. Use these pearl cleaning tips to make sure your pearls live a long and lovely life.

Looking back, and beginning in 1930, it's apparent that much of the jewelry worn on the silver screen is similar to the styles we wear today. Audrey Hepburn's necklace isn't too far off of current red carpet necklace trends, even though she wore it in 1953 while portraying a princess in the classic film, Roman Holiday. Some of the other jewelry would be considered gaudy by (most of) today's standards (like the conglomeration Joan Crawford wore in a 1930 film, which resembles a glorified cowbell). But Marilyn Monroe's earrings, Lauren Bacall's bangle bracelet and several other pieces are timeless styles that would be "safe" purchases for a classic jewelry collection. Take a look back at twelve legends of the silver screen. Would you wear their jewelry?

_{Photo of Audrey Hepburn by Archive Photos/Getty Images}

Madeleine Albright was never shy about wearing jewelry during her tenure as U.S. Secretary of State, but her large pin collection has become a trademark -- and a way of making subtle statements about the events she participates in. It started after Saddam Hussein's poet in residence called her "an unparalleled serpent," in response to her criticism of Saddam. Later, dressing to meet with Iraqi officials, Albright donned a snake pin.

Albright's brooches represent her mood and expectations -- a dove or ladybug pin conveys a far more optimistic mindset than a wasp, scorpion or bee. Her book Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box offers a look at 200 of Madeleine Albright's brooches and the stories behind them.

_{Photo by Alex Wong / Getty Images}

Sarah Bernhardt was one of the most famous dramatic actresses of the 19th Century, appearing in plays throughout Europe and the United States, and even starring in some silent films. She ran with a varied crowd, which included everyone from European royalty to artistic types (and is said to have had affairs with many, including the future King of England). The montage of jewelry and accessories you'll find in this short gallery are Art Nouveau items that were custom designed especially for Bernhardt.

_{Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images}

That's Nicole Kidman in the photograph, wearing a diamond brooch centered along the back fabric of her gown. Nicole is just one celebrity who often wears a brooch, and she usually pins it on in a less-than-traditional way. Breeze through this gallery if you love decorative pins, but aren't sure how to wear them. You may find a couple of ideas that will work perfectly with your own favorite accessories.

_{Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images}

There's a sneaky little characteristic that can make a diamond appear to change colors when it's carried from one kind of lighting into another. Let's say you're in a jewelry store and the diamond you love looks nearly colorless. You buy the diamond and take it home to show everyone. When you remove it from the case the diamond looks like it has more of a yellowish tint than it did in the jewelry store. What happened?

The shift might not be your imagination -- the diamond is probably affected by a characteristic called fluorescence, which makes diamonds appear to change color when they are exposed to ultraviolet light (fluorescent and natural). That means your brand new diamond jewelry might look totally different inside under standard incandescent lights than it did under the jewelry store's fluorescent lighting. The change can be a pro or a con, depending on your attitude and the type of color shift that occurs. Here's why.

_{Photo © Paul O'Driscoll / Getty Images}

Think you can't buy an affordable engagement ring? Yes, you can, and there are more options than you might realize. The first rule to follow is to throw out all of the rules. Who says you have to spend two months' salary on a ring? The jewelry industry, that's who -- your checkbook (or credit cards) might not agree. Explore a few of these engagement ring options before you shop.

_{Photo © Jamie Grill/Getty Images}