AuctionsNov 06, 2023
Audrey Hepburn’s ‘Roman Holiday’ Necklace Heads To AuctionAuctionsNov 07, 2023
Barbara Walters’ Fine Jewelry a White-Glove Sale at Bonhams
The late journalist’s antique jewelry proved to be of particular interest.
Bonhams New York auctioned items from the estate of the late journalist Barbara Walters on Monday. Among the top-performing jewelry lots was this circa 1910 diamond bow brooch, which sold for $35,840. Walters wore it to Sir Elton John’s 60th birthday party in 2007.
New York—All 94 pieces of fine jewelry belonging to the late Barbara Walters found buyers at Bonhams New York Monday, though some lots garnered more aggressive bidding than others.
The lot expected to bring the highest total, the 13.84-carat, D-color, VVS2-clarity Harry Winston engagement ring the journalist received from third husband Merv Adelson, sold for $699,000, at the low end of its estimated range of $600,000-$900,000.
Similarly, a pair of “Gemset” earrings from renowned designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal, better known as JAR, featuring spessartite garnets and rubellites sold for $229,100 against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.
The lot expected to bring the highest total, the 13.84-carat, D-color, VVS2-clarity Harry Winston engagement ring the journalist received from third husband Merv Adelson, sold for $699,000, at the low end of its estimated range of $600,000-$900,000.
Similarly, a pair of “Gemset” earrings from renowned designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal, better known as JAR, featuring spessartite garnets and rubellites sold for $229,100 against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.
Television producer Merv Adelson proposed to Barbara Walters with this 13.84-carat Harry Winston diamond engagement ring with 1.46 carats of trillion-cut side stones. The pair were married and divorced twice, from 1981-1984 and then again from 1986-1992.
Walters’ bespoke JAR earrings feature different center stones—one an oval-shaped spessartite garnet, the other a rubellite—surrounded by garnets and rubellites and accented by round brilliant-cut diamonds.
According to Bonhams, Walters owned a number of JAR pieces, with the designer creating “bold and audacious designs” specifically to suit the personality of the award-winning journalist.
A buyer paid $229,100 for a pair of tourmaline, yellow sapphire and diamond earrings JAR made for Walters, near the top end of their pre-sale estimated range of $150,000 to $250,000.
Her paisley-shaped JAR earrings set with peridot, tourmaline, sapphire, and diamonds sold for $203,700, squarely in the middle of their pre-sale estimated range of $180,000 to $250,000.
This pair of bespoke JAR earrings belonging to Walters feature tourmalines, yellow sapphires, and diamonds.
Bonhams said these paisley-shaped JAR earrings set with peridots, tourmalines, sapphires, and diamonds were one of Walters’ favorites.
While Walters’ show-stopping engagement ring and Gemset JAR earrings brought mixed results at auction, her antique pieces fared better.
A buyer paid $32,000 for the broadcaster’s diamond and gem-set Cartier Art Deco watch, nearly five times its highest pre-sale estimate, $7,000.
Walters’ circa 1925 diamond, onyx and seed pearl Cartier watch sold for more than $30,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 to $7,000.
Harry Winston made this 18-karat white gold and diamond “BW” pendant necklace specifically for Walters. The piece contains 1.92 carats of diamonds.
Walters’ circa 1910 Belle Epoque diamond bow brooch (pictured at top of article) brought in $35,840, topping its highest pre-sale estimate of $20,000.
And a buyer paid $14,080 for her custom Harry Winston “BW” diamond necklace, double its highest pre-sale estimate of $7,000.
Bonhams held the live portion of the “Barbara Walters: American Icon” sale Monday in New York, auctioning off various items from the late broadcast legend’s $8 million estate.
In addition to jewelry, the sale included furniture, artwork, and personal items from the Manhattan home Walters occupied for decades.
Walters, who died in December 2022 at age 93, was a trailblazer for women in journalism.
She was the first female co-host of NBC’s “Today” show and the first woman to anchor a network evening news program, ABC Evening News.
She also co-hosted ABC’s newsmagazine program “20/20” alongside the late Hugh Downs for two decades and was one of the creators of another show that’s still airing, the talk show “The View.”
Over the course of her career, Walters received numerous awards for her achievements, including 11 Emmy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (2000), and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2007).
She was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Hall of Fame in 1990.
The online portion of Barbara Walters: American Icon, which includes costume jewelry, is set to conclude later today.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
