Collections

Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace

CollectionsAug 28, 2026

Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.

Buddha Mama Butterfly Necklace
Earlier this week, the country lost an irreplaceable legend. Singer-songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and humanitarian Dolly Parton died Tuesday at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer.

A self-professed “rhinestone girl,” Parton was known to the world for her sparkly outfits, sky-high heels, and gravity-defying wigs.

While she no doubt owned pieces of fine jewelry that were meaningful to her privately, her public persona did not leave much room, or much need, for fine jewelry.

It also seems that natural diamonds and colored gemstones were not big enough for Parton. 

In a 2021 interview with W magazine, the author describes Parton and her creative director, Steve Summers, examining a tray of Chopard jewelry that included a “very large” amethyst.  
“I can’t wear a jewel that small,” Parton said. “Do you have anything bigger?” 

 Related stories will be right here … 

While Parton was not a fine jewelry collector to the level of say, Elizabeth Taylor, she was known for her love of butterflies. 

She embraced the beautiful insect as a symbol in her music and her business ventures, explaining to W in that same interview that she felt a kinship with butterflies because they are colorful and gentle, just like her. 

So, for this week’s Piece of the Week, we have chosen a piece of butterfly jewelry that we think would have been big and beautiful enough for Parton. 

Buddha Mama’s 20-karat yellow gold butterfly necklace features diamonds surrounding a butterfly with army green enamel wings decorated with diamond-studded flowers. 

The butterfly has a 12.94-carat green tourmaline body with 20-karat yellow gold fringe featuring round- and marquise-cut diamonds and comes on a gold bead chain set with round diamonds (price upon request). 

The necklace is pictured at the top of the article and in the video above.  

Rest in peace, Dolly. Thank you for everything. 

The Latest

Stock image of a person holding holidays bags
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday Season

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

8 carat fancy blue diamond
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

Ebel sport classic watch
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5M

The watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

Stock image of paper money and coins
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins

This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Ethical Gem Fair Brooklyn
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Brooklyn

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

Ara Chanakian Overall Design Winner
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design Contest

Ara Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.

Cover.jpg
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Reba McEntire belt buckle
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s Auctions

The live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.

overnght sb 1026.png
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling Experience

Sponsored by Overnight Mountings

The entrance to The Plumb Club pavilion at JCK Las Vegas
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures Mount

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Woman wearing Blue Nile Royal Asscher jewelry
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond Beauty

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

Audemars Piguet Risoud Eclipse Necklace
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

Juan Morales and Joseph Nicosia
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEO

As part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.

American Gem Trade Association logo
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards Entries

Participants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.

Stock image a police car
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-Grabs

The alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.

The Retail Smiths Principal Partner Sherry Smith
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?

Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.

Molly Stillman @fashionveggie, Beth Jones @bjonesstyle, Helene Cortez @cortezhelene, and Haley Jordan @haleyjordan12 
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ Campaign

In the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.

Bryan Cowan and Tom Schwartz
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMO

FGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.

JIS Miami fall
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to Miami

The 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.

Gahcho Kue rough diamonds
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho Kué

It is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.

Tiffany gold cat pin Sandy Lerner
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner Auction

These jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.

Sorellina Postscript Collection Campaign Imagery of Paper Plane Pendant
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ Collection

The fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.

Bruce Bridges CIBJO
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO Board

The AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.

Aerial image of the Lungwebungu River
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership

The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.

Pandora facility Vietnam front view
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in Vietnam

The new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.

Hearts On Fire Dream Heart Pendant
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart Pendant

The special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy