Auctions

Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding Earrings

AuctionsApr 11, 2025

Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding Earrings

These earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.

Van Cleef & Arpels Pearl and Diamond Earrings Similar to Princess Grace’s Wedding Earrings
Image copyright: Woolley & Walis
A pair of earrings nearly identical to those gifted to Princess Grace for her wedding to Prince Rainier in 1956 are heading to auction.

Hollywood star Grace Kelly met her future husband, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, when she was filming the Alfred Hitchcock film “To Catch a Thief” in 1954. By the next year, the couple was in engaged, and in 1956, they married at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco.

Prince Rainier commissioned Van Cleef & Arpels to create a wedding set for the princess as a gift, directing the jeweler to design a pair of pearl earrings “to match Grace’s delicate beauty.”

The outcome was a pair of platinum earrings featuring a central pearl within a scrolling surround that is set with baguette- and marquise-cut diamonds.

The Princess wore the earrings on the day of her wedding and in a famous photograph of her at the time.

Princess Grace Wearing Van Cleef & Arpels Platinum Pearl and Diamond Wedding Earrings
A pair of Van Cleef & Arpels earrings heading to auction next week—our Piece of the Week—are almost identical to Princess Grace’s pearl and diamond earrings by the jeweler, a piece gifted to her by her husband-to-be Prince Rainier for their wedding. (Image copyright: Alamy)


After the wedding, Van Cleef & Arpels was named the Patented Supplier of the Principality of Monaco.

Today, the earrings remain in The Princess Grace of Monaco collection at the Palais Rainier in Monaco.

However, one person still has the chance to own Van Cleef & Arpels earrings of the same design.

The pearl, diamond, and platinum earrings heading to auction next week, seen at the top of the article, are identical in design to the pair owned by the Princess.

They are signed by the same brand, created around the same time period (circa 1950), and only feature one difference—this pair uses natural saltwater pearls rather than cultured. 

Despite not being the exact piece that Princess Grace wore on her wedding day, the auction house states the material value of the replica earrings is higher because of the natural saltwater pearls. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

As lot 493 in Woolley & Wallis’ spring fine jewelry sale, the Van Cleef & Arpels earrings are estimated to sell for £60,000 to £70,000 ($77,000 to $89,800).

“We are delighted to offer this exceptional pair of Van Cleef & Arpels earrings,” said Marielle Whiting, the jewelry specialist at Woolley & Wallis.

“Not only does their design relate them to one of the most famous romances of the last century, but they also feature natural saltwater pearls, which have a very strong market at the moment.”

The pearl and diamond earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels will be offered as part of the fine jewelry sale on April 15-16.

The piece comes with an SSEF report confirming that it uses two natural saltwater pearls and that it is signed by Van Cleef & Arpels.

The Latest

Jamie Cygielman
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, Banter

Jamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.

Richard Moore
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69

Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.

National Jeweler columnists Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen Z

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

1872-x-1052-July-ad (1).png
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying Events

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

NAJA logo
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual Conference

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Honest Hands Workbench Ring Builder
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built Himself

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group logo
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEO

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

Brought-To-By-Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center Stage

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

State Property Lorenz Station Bracelet
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ Collection

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye receiving Vendor of the Year trophy at 2026 IJO show
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is …

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

1872-x-1052-July-ad (2).png
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying Events

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Blue Nile President Pamela Cloud
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue Nile

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Paulo Garcia
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

Etsy office Dumbo Brooklyn
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of Workforce

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.

Syna Star Gazer Pendant
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars Pendant

The “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.

An interior shot of the Musee Lalique in Wingen-sur-Moder, France
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M Heist

Museum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.

Claire’s new piercing experience
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years

The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.

Brilliant Earth Jane Goodall collection rings
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income Shoppers

The retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.

Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America Book Cover
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry

“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.

Ani Khachian
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-Elect

The Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.

JCPenney storefront
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney Stores

Onyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.

The Roaring Jewel Martini
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K Martini

Solomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.

Benjamin Siegel of Hamilton Jewelers
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers

Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.

Bulgari San Diego Store Exterior
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San Diego

The new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.

Mugshots of four men
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s Home

Four men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.

André Branch
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American Market

André Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.

Gemlok earrings
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires Gemlok

New York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy