ALTHOUGH Marilyn Monroe famously declared "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend," the actress icon was apparently fonder of non-precious stones.

And Bury jeweller Stewart Sivvery can certainly testify to that.

For he has just delicately fitted a stone, which once belonged to the blonde bombshell, into a gold solitaire ring, complete with two small diamonds.

The work was commissioned by former Bury woman Alison Sharples who runs a shop in Rawtenstall selling pop and film memorabilia.

She acquired the stone and the accompanying pink velvet, lip-shaped jewellery box from a US specialist dealing in Marilyn Monroe souvenirs.

Alison explained: "The stone and the ring box, which is trimmed with gold, was given by Marilyn to her good friend, professional photographer Lynn Pupello, in 1961. "She treasured it for around 40 years before donating it to a charity auction. The stone itself was in the base of the box. Marilyn apparently loved non-precious stones and had pieces made especially for her."

Thanks to the skills of Stewart Sivvery, who runs a jewellery business in Bolton Street, Bury, the stone has now found a permanent home within the solitaire ring.

Now the piece of jewellery, complete with an etched glass display unit being specially made, will go on sale at Alison's "Pride Records" shop.

Mr Sivvery said: "The stone is synthetic and not precious. It took me around three days to fit it into the solitaire ring. I've done work for one or two snooker players in the past but certainly not for such a huge personality like Marilyn Monroe."

Alison, who has documents and a sworn affidavit from Lynn Pupello to authenticate that the stone did indeed belong to the actress, added: "Hopefully, I'll be offering the ring for sale next week. I've yet to accurately determine the price, but it would make an ideal gift from a man to his wife."