AuctionsOct 11, 2024
Bonhams Reports ‘Fierce Bidding’ for Dianne Feinstein’s Jewels AuctionsOct 17, 2024
Shirley Bassey’s ‘Baignoire’ Breaks Auction Record
Part of the Welsh singer’s extensive jewelry collection, the bathtub-shaped Cartier watch went for nearly $72,000 at Sotheby’s Paris.
Welsh singer Dame Shirley Bassey loved diamonds, and she sang about them too, recording “Diamonds Are Forever” for the 1971 James Bond film of the same name. However, it was her Cartier “Baignoire” watch that blew away estimates at auction, selling for €66,000 ($71,712).
Paris—Sotheby’s recent jewelry auction in Paris set a new location-specific record for the auction house, led by the collection of an artist who not only loved but also sang about diamonds.
The “Collection of Dame Shirley Bassey,” the award-winning Welsh singer known for her performance of “Diamonds Are Forever,” garnered €2.2 million ($2.4 million), just above its expected total of €2.1 million.
“I fell in love with jewelry when I first discovered natural pearls as an up-and-coming singer, and I bought myself my first string of pearls—the first piece of jewelry I’d ever bought,” Bassey said in a release when the auction was first announced earlier this year.
“However, I quickly graduated to my lifelong passion for diamonds, which preceded the recording of ‘Diamonds Are Forever.’ In fact, I accepted to sing the song because it rang true to me and the way I felt about diamonds then and now.”
While a number of Bassey’s diamond pieces went for hundreds of thousands of dollars at Sotheby’s Paris, it was actually the 87-year-old singer’s relatively plain watch that broke a world record.
Bassey’s Cartier “Baignoire” with a white gold case and black leather strap sold for €66,000 ($71,712), blowing away its pre-sale estimate of €1,500-€3,000 and making it the most expensive “Baignoire” ever sold at auction.
Named for its shape (“baignoire” is French for bathtub), Cartier first created this style in the early 1900s. It brought back the “Baignoire” to much fanfare at Watches & Wonders Geneva in 2023.
The “Collection of Dame Shirley Bassey,” the award-winning Welsh singer known for her performance of “Diamonds Are Forever,” garnered €2.2 million ($2.4 million), just above its expected total of €2.1 million.
“I fell in love with jewelry when I first discovered natural pearls as an up-and-coming singer, and I bought myself my first string of pearls—the first piece of jewelry I’d ever bought,” Bassey said in a release when the auction was first announced earlier this year.
“However, I quickly graduated to my lifelong passion for diamonds, which preceded the recording of ‘Diamonds Are Forever.’ In fact, I accepted to sing the song because it rang true to me and the way I felt about diamonds then and now.”
While a number of Bassey’s diamond pieces went for hundreds of thousands of dollars at Sotheby’s Paris, it was actually the 87-year-old singer’s relatively plain watch that broke a world record.
Bassey’s Cartier “Baignoire” with a white gold case and black leather strap sold for €66,000 ($71,712), blowing away its pre-sale estimate of €1,500-€3,000 and making it the most expensive “Baignoire” ever sold at auction.
Named for its shape (“baignoire” is French for bathtub), Cartier first created this style in the early 1900s. It brought back the “Baignoire” to much fanfare at Watches & Wonders Geneva in 2023.
Elton John gave Bassey this circa-1960s Van Cleef & Arpels diamond cluster ring as a present. It sold for €48,000 ($52,071), more than three times its highest pre-sale estimate of €15,000.
A buyer paid €162,000 ($175,742) for this circa-1905 bow-shaped diamond brooch that belonged to Bassey.
Bassey’s emerald and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels necklace with a detachable pendant sold for €174,000 ($188,754) at Sotheby’s Paris. Bassey gifted herself this necklace after performing in front of Queen Elizabeth II.
Other pieces from Bassey’s collection that outperformed at auction include a vintage Van Cleef & Arpels diamond cluster ring from the 1960s that Elton John gave to the singer. It sold for €48,000 ($52,071), more than three times its high estimate.
A buyer bought her bow-shaped diamond brooch from 1905 for €162,000 ($175,742), nearly five times its high estimate, while another paid €174,000 ($188,754) for the Van Cleef & Arpels emerald and diamond necklace Bassey bought herself to commemorate her first Royal Variety Performance in front of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The pre-sale estimate on that piece was €50,000-€70,000.
Held Oct. 10, Sotheby’s Paris Fine Jewels sale totaled nearly €6.5 million ($7.1 million), with more than half of the lots topping their highest pre-auction estimates.
It’s the highest total ever for a Sotheby’s jewelry sale held in Paris.
The auction broke several brand-specific records too.
A buyer paid €126,000 ($136,654) for this Georges Fouquet (1862-1957) aquamarine, onyx, and diamond brooch, making it the most expensive piece by the French jewelry designer ever sold at Sotheby’s Paris.
Sotheby’s said a circa-1928 Cartier “Tutti Frutti” bracelet became the most valuable Cartier lot ever sold at its Paris location.
A buyer paid €480,000 ($520,487) for the piece, making it the sale’s top lot overall.
A Georges Fouquet aquamarine, onyx, and diamond brooch that went for €126,000 ($136,654) became the most valuable Georges Fouquet piece sold by Sotheby’s Paris, while the sale also set a new record for the auction house when it comes to bracelets from Van Cleef & Arpels.
A buyer paid €240,000 ($260,244) for a sapphire and diamond “Boucle” bracelet from the brand, making it the most valuable Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet ever sold at Sotheby’s Paris and the auction’s third highest-grossing lot.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
Weekly QuizApr 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
MajorsApr 15, 2026
Spark Creations’ Randy McKenzie Dies at 72 McKenzie spent 45 years with Spark Creations and is remembered for being kind, dedicated, and hardworking.
WatchesApr 15, 2026
These Are the New Rolex Watches for 2026Rolex focused exclusively on the Oyster Perpetual this year, as the model is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
FinancialsApr 15, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Shines in Q1, Gucci’s Struggle ContinuesThe luxury giant discussed the Middle East conflict and its transformation plans, hinting at a stronger jewelry presence in North America.
SourcingApr 15, 2026
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2026 BoardKalpesh Jhaveri was re-elected as president for a third year.
TechnologyApr 15, 2026
This Jewelry Brand’s Video Series Is Up for a Webby Award“Diamond Divas,” a social media reality series by Shahla Karimi Jewelry, is nominated in the “Best Social: Fashion & Beauty” category.
SourcingApr 14, 2026
De Beers Expands ‘Desert Diamonds’ Beacon Into BridalThe campaign seeks to reignite desire for natural diamond engagement rings by highlighting the “distinct character” of warm-toned diamonds.
FinancialsApr 14, 2026
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Sink 6% Amid Middle East ConflictPlus, how Saks Global’s bankruptcy affected the luxury giant’s first quarter.
