Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Samantha Stephens Pave Heart Necklace, Tuesday Flashback Feature, Bewitched

This is part of my weekly Tuesday Flashback Feature. We reminisce about classic TV shows usually from the 1950s-70s where gemstones or pieces of jewelry featured prominently in the storylines. 

Once in a while, I feature something about a real-life piece of jewelry which became a trademark for a tv character.

It's the sparkly pavé diamond heart necklace that Samantha Stephens wore on Bewitched. The series ran from 1964-1972.

The necklace was given to Elizabeth Montgomery by her husband, Bill Asher, who was the director of Bewitched. The symbolism of such a necklace is plain to see, and it is perfect, too for the character of Samantha.

Samantha went against her family and against tradition as a witch by marrying mortal Darrin Stephens. She married for love. It's said that wardrobe was chosen for her with the necklace in mind. Outfits were chosen that would show off the necklace, necklines that would feature the necklace rather than obstruct it.

The original necklace was lost during season three. As two replacements were being created, a few episodes in that season were shot where Samantha isn't wearing the necklace. The replacements are said to have been like the original but on slightly longer chains. The ones used at work, worn on the show were rhinestone.

Agnes Moorehead, who played Samantha's mother, Endora, owned and wore a similar but smaller version of the necklace. It can be seen in a handful of episodes throughout the series and reportedly may also be seen in other projects that Moorehead did before her work on Bewitched.

By the seventh season of the show, Samantha was no longer wearing the necklace. The character's look had changed throughout the series, but fans and critics believe that the necklace mots likely was no longer being worn because Montgomery's and Asher's marriage was not doing well.

Samantha Stephens sometimes wore a shorter necklace with an "S" charm on it, but she didn't take to wearing any piece of jewelry on a regular basis when she ceased wearing the pave heart.

As would probably be expected, Serena, Samantha's dark-haired 'identical cousin,' didn't wear the necklace.

Plan a Samantha Stephens or Endora costume. For Halloween, a 60s/70s party, Pop Culture shindig!

That series is iconic as is Montgomery's character, and the necklace is a part of the whole mix.

The Madame Alexander Collection Samantha doll (1997) features a glittering heart necklace. A later Samantha doll was created from the film character who does not, I don't think, come with a necklace.

A Barbie Bewitched Collector Doll: Samantha though, does have a heart necklace.

Some of the promotional photos for the 2005 film of Bewitched show Nicole Kidman wearing a version of the necklace, too.

On October 22, 1965, The Flintstones aired the episode, Samantha. It was the first live action-cartoon crossover in TV history, Samantha and Darrin from Bewitched move into the house next door to the Fred and Wilma. 

Hanna-Barbera had originally animated the Bewitched opening title sequence for Screen Gems/Columbia.

I read that for this episode the original model sheets from the Bewitched introduction were used to create the Samantha and Darrin Stone-Age characters. The Flintstones Samantha Stephens appears with an animated version of the heart necklace, as well.

You might remember television and Broadway star, Arlene Francis, perhaps best know for her appearances on the show, What's My Line? was also known for a heart necklace. Hers was just the outline of a heart. Her necklace, too was such a sensation that women in the 1950s and 60s wanted one and replicas were sold at department stores.



Witch Hat Knitting Pattern What color will you make your hat??


Here's a piece of Buffy the Vampire Slayer trivia that I found online: On the episode Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Xander Harris gives a silver heart necklace to Cordelia at the Valentine's Day dance. Unfortunately, Cordelia dumps him right after accepting the necklace. 

Xander blackmails a witch named Amy to cast a love spell on Cordelia. Amy needs a personal object from Cordelia. Xander retrieves the necklace and uses it as a talisman to create the spell.

I've seen auctions online that claim to have one of the original rhinestone heart necklaces from the show for sale.

Each Tuesday, we feature a different show, often a US sitcom. Information, including spoiler plot outlines come from various sources.

Particularly when the episode hasn't been viewed personally recently, information is as accurate as possible. When available, a show photo will be included.

I'm always interested to hear your memories and will often include links so you can get DVDs of the shows. In the interest of supporting fellow artists, I'll be featuring a few shops where the items tie into the general theme of the featured story.

The TV series Bewitched is available. For instance, Bewitched: The Complete Seasons 1-5 is one sub-set, but there are other options larger and smaller. The show ran for eight seasons. To this day, people are looking for a Bewitched heart necklace to purchase.

Which Silver Pave Heart would be your style? What do you wish to spend? Is it for yourself or a gift?


Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell starred in the 2005 film, Bewitched (Special Edition).

You can wiggle your nose and make your own magic with a sparkly 18" Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Pave Heart Pendant is temporarily sold out.

The Sterling Silver Pave Simulated Diamond Heart Bracelet is similar
There's always a nice and fun assortment of items on available that somehow play into the episode's theme.


The cute Bewitched Hat pattern for all ages at MakeTotToppers is sold out. (above) A similar adorable crochet witch's hat pattern: Thick and thin witch hat is available for your Kindle eReader. Most Kindle documents can be read in a variety of ways, including on your desktop.

Retro Letterpress Style Witch Wristlet Clutches
Retro Letterpress Style Witch Wristlet Clutches by TerryBain
See more Retro Bagettes Bags your choice design and size
  zazzle.com



Some TV characters have trademark pieces of jewelry and some celebrities have pieces of jewelry that you associate with them, but I'm not sure how many of them wear a distinct piece of jewelry on and off-screen.

Link to Related Articles:

Samantha Stephens and Endora Favorite TV Moms Trivia, Costume Ideas Part of a series

Sapphire, Emerald Engagement Rings, Princesses Diana & Catherine; Movie stars Joan Crawford, Elizabeth Taylor, Halle Berry and Penélope Cruz ....




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