AuctionsSep 06, 2022
Elvis’ ‘That’s the Way It Is’ Lion Ring Among Top Lots at Auction 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.”
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
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
Betty White wore this 14-karat white gold sapphire and diamond pendant on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” to the Primetime Emmys in 1976, and on “The Golden Girls.” A buyer paid $35,200 for it at Julien’s Auctions’ recent sale of the late actress’ estate.
Although not a September baby (White was born in January), she seemed to have an affinity for sapphires. This white gold ring featuring a cushion-cut sapphire and 35 round diamonds weighing about 2 carats sold for $32,000. White wore it on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and on the season 2 episode of The Golden Girls titled “Ladies of the Evening.”
White’s gold and diamond ring from her marriage to Allen Ludden sold for nearly $26,000.
Ludden’s ring went for $12,800. It is engraved with “6-14-63,” the date of his marriage to White and the words, “I really do.”
White’s vintage Ruser 14- and 18-karat gold fortune cookie brooch sold for $5,760. The cookie’s retractable 18-karat white gold fortune reads, “And he’ll be short, gray, and then some.”
These cream-colored enamel clip earrings and matching ring sold for $12,800. White wore the suite on multiple episodes of The Golden Girls.
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 …
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.”
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.
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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores 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.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
