AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sAuctionsJan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Bracelet Outshines Estimate at U.K. Auction
The auction also featured the sale of a Cartier necklace made when Egyptomania was sweeping Great Britain.
This yellow diamond line bracelet (left), which Michael Jackson gifted to Elizabeth Taylor, sold for $147,480 at Woolley & Wallis’ recent jewelry sale, while the Cartier necklace seen at right sold for $85,218. (Photos courtesy of Woolley & Wallis).
Salisbury, England—A diamond line bracelet that once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor, gifted to her by Michael Jackson, sold for £118,750 ($147,480) Thursday at a jewelry auction in the United Kingdom.
Auction house Woolley & Wallis said the piece, which was estimated to sell for £50,000 to £70,000 (approximately $61,000-$86,000), attracted competitive bidding both on the phones and online, ultimately going to a phone bidder.
Said to be one of the Oscar-winning actress’ favorite pieces, the bracelet features 27 graduated step-cut yellow diamonds.
“It was a strong sale, and we are delighted that many pieces exceeded their higher estimates, demonstrating that high quality jewelry is still in demand and the market is buoyant,” said Marielle Whiting, jewelry specialist at Woolley & Wallis.
Related stories will be right here …
Auction house Woolley & Wallis said the piece, which was estimated to sell for £50,000 to £70,000 (approximately $61,000-$86,000), attracted competitive bidding both on the phones and online, ultimately going to a phone bidder.
Said to be one of the Oscar-winning actress’ favorite pieces, the bracelet features 27 graduated step-cut yellow diamonds.
“It was a strong sale, and we are delighted that many pieces exceeded their higher estimates, demonstrating that high quality jewelry is still in demand and the market is buoyant,” said Marielle Whiting, jewelry specialist at Woolley & Wallis.
Also featured in the sale was an Art Deco necklace from a limited-edition Cartier collection of Egyptian Revival pieces.
The piece, featuring rubies and diamonds, sold for £68,750 ($85,218), more than twice its highest pre-sale estimate of £30,000 (approximately $37,189).
The necklace was rediscovered after being privately owned for a century.
The Cartier necklace features a pendant pavé set with circular-cut diamonds holding an abstract floral arrangement of cabochon rubies mounted in platinum and gold. It hangs from a chain of black onyx beads.
In their research, specialists from Woolley & Wallis matched the pendant to a Cartier necklace from a 1920s print ad for the special collection.
The jeweler had created the pieces in reaction to the wave of Egyptomania sweeping Great Britain at that time, the auction house said.
Two years earlier, British archaeologist Howard Carter had discovered of the tomb of Tutankhamun, the famous ancient Egyptian pharaoh better known as King Tut, inspiring interest in Ancient Egypt.
The ad ran alongside information about the discovery in a January 1924 edition of The Illustrated London News.
The specialists confirmed the necklace bore the same Cartier Londres signature and a similar number sequence (S.L7352) as two other pieces from the same ad that went up for auction in New York in 2013 (S.L7358 and S.L7353).
In the ad, the necklace features an Egyptian faience figurine of Nefertem. The distinctive U-shaped base with hooked motifs at each side was designed to resemble the silhouette of the beaded usekh necklaces that adorn mummies and sarcophagi, the auction house said.
While the pendant in the ad shows the necklace set with a figurine of Nefertem, the one offered at the U.K. auction features an abstract floral arrangement.
There are many reasons Cartier may have changed it, the auction house said, but it could have been an effort to tone down the Egyptian influence as desire for the style dissipated.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer said its stores will remain open during the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
