AuctionsMay 13, 2022
Famed Watch Designer Gerald Genta’s Royal Oak Sells for $2.1MAuctionsMay 18, 2022
Jewels from Bette Midler Are Headed to Bonhams
The auction house’s upcoming sale also includes collections from American heiresses.
This Tiffany & Co. brooch with an 8.5-carat mixed-cut yellow sapphire and approximately 13.10 carats of white diamonds in 18-karat gold and platinum belonging to Bette Midler will be available at the upcoming Bonhams New York Jewels sale.
New York—Bonhams New York’s spring jewelry auction is filled with jewels with fascinating provenances.
The upcoming jewelry sale features more than a dozen pieces from multi-talented entertainer Bette Midler’s collection, to start.
Midler has four Grammy Awards, two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and nine American Comedy Awards to her name.
The star of films “The Rose,” “Beaches,” and “Hocus Pocus,” she’s also one of the bestselling female singers, with 30 million album sales.
Other highlights include a diamond and yellow sapphire feather brooch from Tiffany & Co., a pair of gold bubble bracelets by Demner, and a Cartier “La Dona” gold watch.
See the Bette Midler Jewels
The upcoming jewelry sale features more than a dozen pieces from multi-talented entertainer Bette Midler’s collection, to start.
Midler has four Grammy Awards, two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and nine American Comedy Awards to her name.
The star of films “The Rose,” “Beaches,” and “Hocus Pocus,” she’s also one of the bestselling female singers, with 30 million album sales.
Other highlights include a diamond and yellow sapphire feather brooch from Tiffany & Co., a pair of gold bubble bracelets by Demner, and a Cartier “La Dona” gold watch.
See the Bette Midler Jewels
Tiffany & Co. brooch with an 8.5-carat mixed-cut yellow sapphire and approximately 13.10 carats of white diamonds in 18-karat gold and platinum ($40,000-$80,000)
A pair of gold bracelets by Demner, New York, composed of 18-karat gold and ruby ($20,000-$40,000)
Cartier “La Dona” wristwatch in gold with round brilliant-cut diamonds ($8,000-$12,000)
Leading the Bonhams New York Jewels sale, meanwhile, is a 101-carat Colombian emerald Art Deco bracelet by Cartier from the collection of Hélène Irwin Crocker Fagan (1887–1966), one of the richest American heiresses during the Belle Epoque and Art Deco periods.
She was the daughter of English businessman William G. Irwin, who amassed a fortune as a sugar baron in Hawaii.
Hélène married Templeton Crocker, who was the grandson of railroad magnate Charles Crocker, in 1911. A headline announcing their nuptials in the San Francisco Call read: “Crocker-Irwin Wedding Bells Clink of Gold: Vast Fortunes to be United at Altar.”
In addition to Hélène’s emerald bracelet, a collection of cigarette cases and objects, and a pearl and diamond aigrette by Cartier circa 1914 appear at the sale.
See the Hélène Irwin Crocker Fagan Collection
A rare emerald and diamond bracelet, Cartier circa 1926. It features 101 carats of emeralds as well as diamonds mounted in platinum. ($750,00-$1.25 million)
A Cartier diamond and natural pearl aigrette, New York, circa 1914. It features an 8.25-carat old European-cut diamond and two natural pearls with an additional 5.5 carats of diamonds mounted in platinum and steel. ($250,000-$450,000)
An 18-karat gold and enamel snuff box with French assay marks ($3,000-$4,000)
Lady Sylvia Ashley led a fascinating life reflected in her 60-piece collection presented at Bonhams.
She was nicknamed “Silky,” a reference to her beginnings as a chorus girl and lingerie model.
Ashley was married five times. Her husbands were two lords, one prince and two Hollywood Actors, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Clark Gable.
Her collection spans pieces from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels that she wore traveling the world meeting some of its most famous people. It includes a number of objects, like a gold Cartier vanity set, gold Cartier frames, and Van Cleef & Arpels clocks.
The most overtly sentimental jewel might be a gold heart charm with a photo of Fairbanks inside and a lock of brown hair.
See the Lady Sylvia Ashley Collection
She was nicknamed “Silky,” a reference to her beginnings as a chorus girl and lingerie model.
Ashley was married five times. Her husbands were two lords, one prince and two Hollywood Actors, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Clark Gable.
Her collection spans pieces from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels that she wore traveling the world meeting some of its most famous people. It includes a number of objects, like a gold Cartier vanity set, gold Cartier frames, and Van Cleef & Arpels clocks.
The most overtly sentimental jewel might be a gold heart charm with a photo of Fairbanks inside and a lock of brown hair.
See the Lady Sylvia Ashley Collection
Gold locket circa 1950 in 14-karat gold with photo and hair ($500-$700)
A Van Cleef & Arpels “Inseparables” desk clock, New York, circa 1940 with emeralds, diamonds, and rubies mounted in 18-karat gold. ($7,000-$9,000)
A Cartier diamond, chalcedony, and mother-of-pearl minaudiere in 18-karat gold and platinum, France, circa 1930. ($7,000-$9,000)
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsDec 07, 2022
How Daniel’s Jewelers Has Lasted 70+ Holiday SeasonsIn a Q&A, CEO David Sherwood shares some company history, the secret to success during the busiest time of year, and more.
TrendsDec 07, 2022
Amanda’s Style File: December BluesJewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi spotlights her favorite turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon December birthstone jewelry.
IndependentsDec 07, 2022
The Radiance Lands at Marissa CollectionsThe retailer is now selling the 13 diamond jewelry capsule collections created by BIPOC designers on its website.
Brought to you by
How To Buy Colored GemstonesGive your customers the full gemstone buying experience by using the 6C's.
FinancialsDec 06, 2022
Signet Anticipates Solid Holiday Season, Raises GuidanceThe jewelry giant posted a decline in same-store sales in the third quarter but is gearing up for a season of growth.
Weekly QuizDec 01, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
TrendsDec 06, 2022
Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year Is A Lot Like Rubellite, Spinel, Ruby“Viva Magenta” easily finds its colored gemstone counterparts.
ColumnistsDec 06, 2022
The Smart Lab: 6 Holiday Email Marketing Strategies To Boost SalesFrom creating catchy subject lines to retargeting abandoned carts, Emmanuel Raheb has a half-dozen pieces of email marketing advice.
Brought to you by
Knowledge and Skills for Today’s Hot TopicsFrom laboratory-grown diamonds to design to country-of-origin, GIA's Alumni Collective™ has a seminar to suite your needs.
IndependentsDec 06, 2022
CD Peacock Names VP of Client Engagement, ExperienceQi Holtzman is a member of the second generation to run the family-owned Chicago area jeweler.
IndependentsDec 05, 2022
Holocaust Survivor and Jeffrey Mann Jewelers Matriarch Rena Mann Dies Mann, who opened the Ohio jewelry store with her husband and son in 1984, was 95.
TechnologyDec 05, 2022
Timex Ticks into the Metaverse with Bored Ape Yacht ClubThe watch brand will create 500 custom timepieces for holders of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs.
EditorsDec 05, 2022
Meet Jewelry’s First TikTok StarWhen it comes to translating luxury into the social media platform’s approachable style, JewelsWithJules has cracked the code.
Events & AwardsDec 05, 2022
WJA Foundation Awards Nearly $60K in Scholarships for 2022-2023Scholarship winners received awards in six different categories.
SourcingDec 02, 2022
Alrosa CEO Sergey Ivanov to Step Down, Report SaysAccording to Russian news sources, the sanctioned head of the diamond company is leaving to take a job with an investment group.
SourcingDec 02, 2022
Lucapa Sells 170-Carat Pink Diamond Unearthed This SummerSaid to be the largest pink diamond found in hundreds of years, “The Lulo Rose” was sold for an undisclosed sum.
AuctionsDec 02, 2022
Here’s How 2 Royal Jewels Performed at Auction in DenmarkA princess’s tiara fell within its pre-sale estimate while an Art Deco bracelet from a queen doubled it.
CollectionsDec 02, 2022
Piece of the Week: Foundrae’s Chain A closer look at the bold links reveals a subtle, surprising detail.
Supplier BulletinDec 01, 2022
Take Your Jewelry Design Process Digital with the GIA Alumni Collective™Sponsored by GIA Alumni Collective™
WatchesDec 01, 2022
Rolex to Certify Pre-Owned WatchesRetailers within its official distribution network will be able to sell the authenticated timepieces.
CollectionsDec 01, 2022
Kendra Scott’s New Collection is for Barbie GirlsThe capsule collection combines the brand’s classic styles with Barbie’s signature pink color.
AuctionsDec 01, 2022
13-Carat Pink Diamond Withdrawn From Christie’s Auction The auction house is not offering any details on why the fancy vivid pink stone was pulled from its upcoming “Magnificent Jewels” sale.
SourcingDec 01, 2022
Nomad’s Is Selling Its Stones to Raise Money for Ukraine AgainIn the spirit of an advent calendar, “Gems to Help Ukraine” will sell a stone a day through Dec. 24 on the Nomad’s Instagram account.
GradingDec 01, 2022
PhotoScribe Granted Patent for Method that Verifies a Stone’s IdentificationThe secure mark combines an overt mark with a covert data set to provide assurance on a gem.
SurveysNov 30, 2022
5 Things Retailers Should Know About the Start to the Holiday SeasonPlus, what a potential rail strike would mean for retailers.
WatchesNov 30, 2022
Watchfinder & Co. Will Launch a Marketplace Next Year It will provide a place for select luxury watch retailers to sell their stock.
MajorsNov 30, 2022
Pomellato Buys Into Italian GoldsmithThe brand has purchased a minority stake in Costanzo & Rizzetto.
SourcingNov 30, 2022
Firestone Restarts Operations of Lesotho Diamond MineLiqhobong has been in a care-and-maintenance period since the start of the pandemic.
