AuctionsNov 16, 2023
Audrey Hepburn’s ‘Roman Holiday’ Choker Pulled From Auction AuctionsNov 28, 2023
Mary Tyler Moore’s Jewelry Is Up For Auction
You can have this jewelry, why don’t you take it?
Actress Mary Tyler Moore and her famous, and controversial, trousers on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in the ‘60s, left, and a pair of Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. “Bone Cuffs” owned by the award-winning actress. Moore’s jewelry is going up for auction at Sotheby’s.
New York—Early next month, Sotheby’s will auction jewelry that once belonged to groundbreaking actress Mary Tyler Moore.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1936 and raised in California, Moore rose to fame in the 1960s on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” playing Van Dyke’s wife, Laura Petrie.
Moore played a homemaker on the show but she was allowed to be funny, have opinions and assert herself, which, according to “Being Mary Tyler Moore,” the 2023 HBO documentary on the actress, was almost unheard of at the time.
She also did something else revolutionary as a woman on TV in the ‘60s—she wore pants, fitted capris, to be exact.
It was her next role, however, that made her an icon and inspired generations of women.
From 1970-1977, Moore played Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
Richards was a 30-year-old woman who moved to Minneapolis on her own following a broken engagement and landed a job as an associate producer at a news station.
She was single and, perhaps more shockingly, more focused on her career than getting married.
The Mary Tyler Moore show won 29 Emmy awards in its seven-year run, including three for Moore as Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
All told, she racked up seven Emmys, one Tony Award and three Golden Globes over the course of her career. She also received one Oscar nomination (1981, for “Ordinary People”).
The Screen Actors Guild presented her its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Moore died in 2017 at age 80.
Related stories will be right here …
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1936 and raised in California, Moore rose to fame in the 1960s on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” playing Van Dyke’s wife, Laura Petrie.
Moore played a homemaker on the show but she was allowed to be funny, have opinions and assert herself, which, according to “Being Mary Tyler Moore,” the 2023 HBO documentary on the actress, was almost unheard of at the time.
She also did something else revolutionary as a woman on TV in the ‘60s—she wore pants, fitted capris, to be exact.
It was her next role, however, that made her an icon and inspired generations of women.
From 1970-1977, Moore played Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
Richards was a 30-year-old woman who moved to Minneapolis on her own following a broken engagement and landed a job as an associate producer at a news station.
She was single and, perhaps more shockingly, more focused on her career than getting married.
The Mary Tyler Moore show won 29 Emmy awards in its seven-year run, including three for Moore as Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
All told, she racked up seven Emmys, one Tony Award and three Golden Globes over the course of her career. She also received one Oscar nomination (1981, for “Ordinary People”).
The Screen Actors Guild presented her its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Moore died in 2017 at age 80.
Sotheby’s is selling 21 pieces of jewelry belonging to the late actress, including designs from Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., and Audemars Piguet.
They will be divided up between two sales, Magnificent Jewels on Dec. 5 (10 lots), and the online-only Fine Jewels (11 lots), which opens for bidding today and continues through Dec. 7.
Frank Everett, vice chairman of Sotheby’s Jewelry, described Moore as a passionate collector whose jewelry “highlight[s] her understated elegance” and “mirror[s] the style of the beloved, modern characters she portrayed on screen.”
Mary Tyler Moore’s collection of gold Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. “Mesh” jewelry includes, at left, an open heart pendant-necklace and a pair of earrings with bezel-set round diamonds and, at right, a “Scarf” necklace, and two pairs of earrings.
A pair of Moore’s Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. “Bone Cuffs” in silver (pictured at top of article) are estimated to sell for $500 to $1,000 at the online Fine Jewels sale.
Sotheby’s said it is “fitting” that Mary Tyler Moore would own a pair of Peretti’s silver bone cuffs, as they are symbols of feminist empowerment from the 1970s, the same decade in which Moore changed society’s views on independent, working women, and changed the way they saw themselves.
Moore also owned a collection of Peretti’s gold “Mesh” jewelry, which her third and last husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine, described as being reflective of the actress—“very graceful, very attentive to detail, but always in motion.”
Also part of Fine Jewels, the Mesh jewelry is estimated to sell for $4,000 to $6,000.
Moore’s second husband, Grant Tinker, gave her this hammered gold Van Cleef & Arpels cuff and matching ear clips for her 39th birthday in 1975. It’s estimated to sell for $10,000 to $15,000.
Dr. S. Robert Levine gave this gold Bulgari “Monete” necklace to Moore when the pair got married in 1983. Expected to sell for $25,000-$35,000, it features rubies, diamonds, and an ancient Greek coin the pair picked out together at the Bulgari store on Fifth Avenue in New York.
Levine also gave Moore this steel and diamond Jaeger-LeCoultre “Rendez-Vous Classic Night and Day” watch (estimate $4,000 to $6,000). He gifted this to her as her eyesight was deteriorating due to complications from diabetes; the bigger numbers allowed her to tell the time. It is part of the Fine Jewels sale.
While Sotheby’s noted that Moore bought a lot of her own jewelry, the auction includes pieces given to her by Levine as well as her second husband, the late NBC executive Grant Tinker.
Levine commissioned a gold, diamond, and ruby Bulgari “Monete” necklace featuring an ancient Greek coin as a wedding president for Moore in 1983.
Tinker gave her a gold Etruscan-style cuff and matching ear clips from Van Cleef & Arpels when she turned 39. The interior of the cuff is engraved with “Can you believe - 12-29-75” and love “G.A.T.”
Both pieces are part of the Magnificent Jewels sale.
Highlights from Moore’s collection will be on display at Sotheby’s in New York beginning Dec. 1 as part of Luxury Week.
Proceeds from the 21 pieces will benefit The Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative, a nonprofit that seeks to preserve and restore vision in people with diabetes.
Moore was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1969 when she was 30 years old. She later became an advocate for diabetes research and served as international chair for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
For more information on Moore’s jewelry as well as other pieces up for sale at Sotheby’s next month, visit the auction house’s website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
Weekly QuizDec 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart EarringsBilled as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s BirthstonesDon’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … WhiteA choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.
MajorsDec 05, 2025
Stuller Releases ‘Wrapped in Wonder’ CampaignThe manufacturer’s holiday campaign features a gift guide filled with trending designs and jewelry that can be personalized.
CrimeDec 04, 2025
Man Arrested After Allegedly Swallowing Fabergé Egg PendantThe man was charged with theft, accused of ingesting the necklace while in a jewelry store in Auckland, New Zealand.
IndependentsDec 04, 2025
Step Inside JR Dunn Jewelers’ Giant New Store The Florida independent expanded its store from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet, fulfilling the vision of its late co-founder, Jim Dunn.
Supplier BulletinDec 04, 2025
Introducing Shop Natural Day: A New Movement Celebrating Natural DiamondsSponsored by De Beers Group
WatchesDec 04, 2025
Casio Shrinks its G-Shock WatchThe classic 5600 series G-Shock has been scaled down to about a tenth of its size, becoming a fully functioning watch ring.
Events & AwardsDec 04, 2025
AGA Announces 2026 Tucson Speaker LineupThe association’s annual conference and gala will take place Feb. 4, 2026, during the Tucson gem shows.
Events & AwardsDec 04, 2025
CBG Announces Speaker Lineup for 2026 Miami Event The January show will include a workshop for jewelry retailers on implementing AI to strengthen their businesses.
TrendsDec 03, 2025
Miley Cyrus Debuts Edgy Engagement RingFellow musician Maxx Morando proposed to the star with a chunky, cushion-cut diamond ring designed by Jacquie Aiche.
Policies & IssuesDec 03, 2025
Costco Joins Growing Wave of Retailers Suing for Tariff Refunds The retailer, which sells billions in fine jewelry and watches, is suing the Trump administration and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
SurveysDec 03, 2025
A Record 202.9M Shoppers Turned Out Thanksgiving WeekendBlack Friday is still the most popular shopping day over the five-day holiday weekend, as per the National Retail Federation’s survey.
AuctionsDec 03, 2025
Fabergé’s 'The Winter Egg' Achieves Record $30MThe historic egg, crafted for Russia's ruling family prior to the revolution, was the star of Christie’s recent auction of works by Fabergé.
FinancialsDec 02, 2025
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Up Amid Continued Focus on Lower Price PointsThe retailer offered more fashion jewelry priced under $1,000, including lab-grown diamond and men’s jewelry.
