AuctionsOct 14, 2021
Al Capone’s Jewels Smash Auction EstimatesAuctionsOct 15, 2021
The Duchess of Windsor’s First Anniversary Gift Is Going to Auction
The Cartier bangle given by Edward VIII is estimated to sell for as much as $1.6 million at Christie’s Geneva next month.
This Cartier bangle with Burmese rubies and diamonds, given to the Duchess of Windsor by her husband on their first wedding anniversary, could sell for between $1.1 million and $2.2 million at auction next month.
Geneva—At the same time Marie Antoinette’s diamond bracelets go up for auction, Christie’s will also feature another set of royal jewels but with a more modern provenance.
At the Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva on Nov. 9, the auction house will offer the first anniversary gift the Duke of Windsor gave to his wife, the Duchess of Windsor, on June 3, 1938.
He chose a special ruby bracelet from Cartier for the occasion and must have placed the order with the house earlier that year to have it delivered ahead of the couple’s trip out of town to spend the summer in the south of France, Christie’s said.
The bangle features two cushion-shaped rubies Burmese rubies—which show no signs of heat treatment—weighing a total of 36.15 carats and approximately 24-25 carats of baguette and circular-cut diamonds set in platinum.
It features an inscription of a personal message, as many of her jewels did, that says: “For our first anniversary of June third.”
Edward VIII famously abdicated the British throne in December 1936 after just one year of ruling, becoming the first English monarch to voluntarily do so, according to History.com.
He chose to do after the British government, public, and Church of England decried his decision to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simson.
Related stories will be right here …
At the Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva on Nov. 9, the auction house will offer the first anniversary gift the Duke of Windsor gave to his wife, the Duchess of Windsor, on June 3, 1938.
He chose a special ruby bracelet from Cartier for the occasion and must have placed the order with the house earlier that year to have it delivered ahead of the couple’s trip out of town to spend the summer in the south of France, Christie’s said.
The bangle features two cushion-shaped rubies Burmese rubies—which show no signs of heat treatment—weighing a total of 36.15 carats and approximately 24-25 carats of baguette and circular-cut diamonds set in platinum.
It features an inscription of a personal message, as many of her jewels did, that says: “For our first anniversary of June third.”
Edward VIII famously abdicated the British throne in December 1936 after just one year of ruling, becoming the first English monarch to voluntarily do so, according to History.com.
He chose to do after the British government, public, and Church of England decried his decision to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simson.
Once his brother, George VI, became king after he stepped down, he named Edward the Duke of Windsor.
The Duke and Simson were married in France at the Château de Candé in June 1937.
Now, the gift representing their first year of marriage is expected to sell for CHF 1 million to CHF 1.5 million (about $1.1 million to $1.6 million) at auction.
Christie’s called the bangle “one of Cartier’s most unusual designs” for its avant-garde style. The house had originally set the ruby and diamond clusters in a necklace before but reworked it into the current design the following year for the couple.
This is the first time the piece has appeared at auction since the popular 1987 Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor auction, which brought in more than $30 million, setting a record at the time and more than quadrupling the previous high sum paid at auction for a single collection of jewels.
Parties interested in the bangle will be able to see it in New York, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai before it heads to Christie’s Geneva for preview in the days leading up to the jewelry auction.
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
