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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
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.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff ConcernsWhat’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.
