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
SourcingFeb 14, 2025
Navneet Gems Now Offering Unheated Montana SapphiresThe wholesale collection features material from the Rock Creek mine in a variety of colors.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Carolyn Rafaelian Partners with ‘Long Island Medium’ StarThe “Divinely Guided” collection, created in collaboration with Theresa Caputo, features symbols that celebrate the power of connection.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lorraine West’s Diamond ‘Open Heart’ RingShow some love on Valentine’s Day with this 14-karat yellow gold ring that features pavé diamonds.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
CrimeFeb 13, 2025
Macy’s Employee Foils $1.5M Jewelry Theft The employee confronted the thief, causing the suspect to flee and leave behind the suitcases full of jewelry.
Weekly QuizFeb 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 13, 2025
Namibian Diamond Co. Suspends CEO, COO After Deadly Heist Namib Desert Diamonds also put its security manager on leave following last month’s robbery that left one employee dead.
Events & AwardsFeb 13, 2025
AGTA Announces Buyer’s Choice Award Winners for Spectrum, Cutting EdgeAGTA recently concluded its 2025 GemFair event in Tucson and is already gearing up for next year’s show, set for Feb. 2-6, 2026.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2025
Royal Chain Releases Its Spring 2025 CatalogMore than 400 new pieces are featured in the supplier’s latest catalog.
TrendsFeb 13, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Hearts for Valentine’s DayThis curation celebrates love with heart-shaped jewelry of all shapes and sizes.
Policies & IssuesFeb 13, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires The fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
TrendsFeb 12, 2025
5 Engagement Ring Trends Expected to Rule 2025From chunky bands to vintage diamond cuts and bezel settings, these are the trends experts are seeing take over the bridal market.
EditorsFeb 12, 2025
Q&A: Marion Fasel on the History of Diamond Engagement RingsFasel discusses researching her new book, the most enduring engagement ring styles, and the diamond shape Taylor Swift will pick.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2025
De Beers Jewellers’ New High Jewelry Pays Homage to the Beauty of TreesThe “Essence of Nature, Chapter One” collection echoes trees and roots, literally and figuratively, through three sets of high jewelry.
SourcingFeb 12, 2025
SRK Announces Notable Reduction in Greenhouse Gas EmissionsLate last year, the India-based diamond manufacturer recorded emissions per carat that are 34 percent lower than the industry average.
ColumnistsFeb 12, 2025
Peter Smith: 9 Store Manager Archetypes Smith details the types of store managers he’s encountered, with the goal of helping retailers find a person who’s a fit for their store.
TechnologyFeb 12, 2025
MyGemma Now Offers Consignment ServiceThe secondhand reseller stocks pre-owned designer jewelry and watches, along with other luxury goods.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2025
Ghirardelli Is Slipping Chocolate Into a Locket This Valentine's DayThe limited-edition “Chocolocket” fits a mini square of Ghirardelli chocolate inside.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2025
JA Seeking Nominations for Its Next ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe program has been expanded to include a “20 Under 40” list for jewelry suppliers and is accepting nominations through Feb. 19.
CrimeFeb 11, 2025
2 Men Charged With Selling Stolen Jewelry, Watches in NYC Diamond DistrictOne of the men is said to be connected to the South American crew charged with burglarizing Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s home.
WatchesFeb 11, 2025
Bulgari, MB&F Launch Reimagined ‘Serpenti’ WatchThe brands immersed one of Bulgari’s most famous historical icons in MB&F’s ultra-mechanical universe of haute horlogerie.
FinancialsFeb 11, 2025
Boucheron a Bright Spot as Kering’s Full-Year Sales Sink 12%The luxury titan’s full-year performance was weighed down by struggling sales at its star brand Gucci.
MajorsFeb 11, 2025
Midas Chain Releases First Diamond CollectionThe jewelry manufacturer has launched more than 100 pieces made with natural diamonds.
SurveysFeb 10, 2025
Jewelry Resilient in 2024 Even As Luxury Sales Slipped, Says Bain & Co.Bain & Co.’s latest report on the luxury market examines why the market’s customer base is shrinking and how to appeal to consumers in 2025.
CrimeFeb 10, 2025
Counterfeit Jewelry Kept Kentucky Customs Agents Busy in January, CBP Says Officers in Louisville seized 28 shipments of fake jewelry and watches that would have been worth more than $27 million if genuine.
CollectionsFeb 10, 2025
Hearts on Fire Flips Jewelry ‘Inside Out’ in New CollectionThe collection centers on the art of tailoring, inspired by designs that feature folded fabrics, such as a tuxedo lapel.
Events & AwardsFeb 10, 2025
Select Jewelry Show Heads to NashvilleThe trade show has added a new location to its fall line-up.
