Auctions

In Betty White’s Blockbuster Estate Sale, Jewelry Held Its Own

AuctionsSep 27, 2022

In Betty White’s Blockbuster Estate Sale, Jewelry Held Its Own

Fine jewelry comprised three of the auction’s top 10 lots, though it could not top her director’s chair or scripts from “The Golden Girls.”

20220927_Betty White Van Cleef brooch header.jpg
Betty White’s signed 18-karat gold Van Cleef & Arpels brooch set with sapphires and diamonds sold for $21,875 at Julien’s Auctions recent three-day auction of the late actress’ estate. The brooch is believed to be a gift from her late husband, actor and game show host Allen Ludden.
Beverly Hills, California—It is an auction outcome befitting of one of the best-loved actresses in Hollywood.

From Sept. 23-25, Julien’s Auctions sold more than 1,600 lots of jewelry, clothing, furniture, artwork and assorted memorabilia from the estate of Emmy-winning actress Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021, at age 99.

Every lot in the auction sold, with many soaring past pre-sale estimates and the total exceeding $4 million, blowing away the original estimate of $400,000 to $600,000. 

While the top lot of the auction was a piece of memorabilia from “The Golden Girls” set, her jewelry made a strong showing, with three of the actress’ personal pieces landing in the sale’s top 10.

Her 14-karat white gold sapphire and diamond necklace sold for $35,200; only five of the auction’s lots garnered more.

The simple pendant, featuring a sapphire estimated to be between 7-8.5 carats and a half-carat round diamond, soared past pre-sale estimates of $1,000-$2,000, likely due in part to the high-profile screen time it notched.

White wore the necklace on episodes of The Golden Girls and the “A Girl Like Mary” episode of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” as well as to the Primetime Emmys in 1976, where she won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for playing Sue Ann Nivens on Mary Tyler Moore.

Another sapphire piece—this one a ring White wore on The Mary Tyler Moore show and The Golden Girls—sold for $32,000, against an estimate of $800-$1,200, making it the seventh most expensive lot in the sale.

SEE: Betty White’s Jewelry Sold at Auction
Rounding out the auction’s top 10 at No. 9 was White’s diamond and gold wedding band from husband Allen Ludden, while his plain gold band landed at No. 25 out of the more than 1,600 lots. 

Ludden and White married at the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 14, 1963, and they remained married until he died of cancer in 1981. White never remarried. 

Her wedding ring was white and yellow gold with 1.15 carats of round diamonds. It sold for $25,600, topping the pre-sale estimate of $800 to $1,200. 

His is engraved with the words “6-14-63 I really do” and went for $12,800. It was estimated at $600-$800. 

“You would be hard-pressed to find an individual as iconic and well-loved as Betty White, whose impact is absolutely multi-generational,” Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions, said. 

“This auction represented a collection unlike anything we have ever seen before which brought in record-breaking results and thousands of Betty’s most loyal fans from all over the world who participated.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

Other notable jewelry lots from “Property From the Life and Career of Betty White” include a signed vintage 18-karat gold Van Cleef & Arpels flower brooch set with sapphires and diamonds. 

Believed to be a gift to White from Ludden, the brooch had one of the highest estimates among the jewelry in the sale at $4,000 to $6,000 and did not disappoint, garnering $21,875. 

Another signed piece, a vintage Ruser 14- and 18-karat gold fortune cookie brooch, sold for $5,760, near the top of its estimated range, while a costume jewelry set—a pair of cream-colored ear clips and a matching ring White wore on several episodes of The Golden Girls—sold for $12,800.

The suite was estimated at $800 to $1,200. 
While White’s jewelry did well, it could not top the actress’ Golden Girls memorabilia.

The auction’s top three lots were all related to the sitcom, which remains popular 30 years after it went off the air.

The top lot overall was White’s director’s chair from The Golden Girls, which sold for $76,800 against an estimate of $1,000.

Two lots containing teleplays for both the pilot and final episodes of the show signed by White and the three other “Girls”—Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty—sold for $57,600 and $51,200, respectively.

And a buyer paid $32,000 for a lavender-colored silk dress with a bow collar and skinny belt White wore in 1986 publicity photos for the series. The pre-sale estimate was $600 to $800. 

To see the full auction results, visit the Julien’s website.
 
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Dukachi Easter Bread Pendant
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ Pendant

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

gia-topimage 0325.jpg
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Get online education from GIA experts.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Athena Calderone x John Hardy Collection
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired Collection

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs Impact

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Natural Diamond Council Diamond Learning Center Graphic
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning Center

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from Members

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

Technology Therapy Group logo
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry Retailers

The online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.

Catbird Chicago
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to Chicago

The opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through Love

The “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Robert and Rose-Marie Goodman outside Robert Goodman Jewelers
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-Up

Robert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.

Womens Jewelry Association WJA logo
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter President

The announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.

Stock image of shipping containers
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.

Botswana Minster of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Joy Kenewendo
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing Diamonds

Kenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.

Bulgari Eden the Garden of Wonders ad
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 Percent

LVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.

Screenshot from new Jon Hamm series on Apple TV+, Your Friends and Neighbors
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+

The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”

Kalpesh Jhaveri
SourcingApr 15, 2025
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2025 Board

The organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.

Two Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai

An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.

Sauer Balance Earrings in Ma Campaign
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ Collection

The collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.

Mari Lous Fine Jewelry
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 Years

Mari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.

GIA logo
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick In

GIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.

My Next Question webinar graphic
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AI

Two experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.

Kentaro Nishimura
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. Division

Kentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.

America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova
WatchesApr 11, 2025
Bulova Documentary Now on Amazon Prime

“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.

×

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