AuctionsApr 29, 2025
‘Golconda Blue’ Diamond Pulled From AuctionAuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to Auction
The turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
This turquoise and diamond tiara by Cartier, which belonged to American-born British politician Nancy Astor, is up for auction at Bonhams “London Jewels” sale next month.
London—Nancy Astor’s turquoise and diamond tiara by Cartier is going up for auction at Bonhams.
The tiara, circa 1930, is a highlight of the “London Jewels” sale, slated for June 5 at its Bond Street location.
The sale will be the first time the “exceptionally rare” tiara, owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor (1879-1964), has appeared on the market since it was purchased by her husband Lord Astor in 1930, said Bonhams.
Born Nancy Witcher Langhorne in Danville, Virginia, the American-born British politician was the first woman to take her seat in Parliament, serving from 1919 to 1945.
She moved to England in 1905 and met American-born Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor (1879-1952), on the same trip across the Atlantic from America. Her husband, the great-great-grandson of American fur magnate Jacob Astor, was also a member of Parliament and the proprietor of The Observer, a London Sunday newspaper.
The pair married in 1906 and moved into Cliveden, their estate in Buckinghamshire, England, gifted to them by Astor’s father.
Nancy Astor was a prominent hostess for the British elite while also advocating for temperance, welfare, education reform, and women’s rights in parliament.
Her turquoise and diamond tiara will be “the star of the sale,” said Jean Ghika, Bonhams global head of jewelry.
The tiara is set throughout with old brilliant, single, and rose-cut diamonds, with a principal old brilliant-cut diamond at the center and three fluted turquoise plumes set with brilliant and single-cut diamond stems. Each side of the tiara features a radiating fan-shaped turquoise panel design.
The Cartier tiara has a pre-sale estimate of £250,000 to 350,000 ($332,300 to $465,300).
Related stories will be right here …
The tiara, circa 1930, is a highlight of the “London Jewels” sale, slated for June 5 at its Bond Street location.
The sale will be the first time the “exceptionally rare” tiara, owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor (1879-1964), has appeared on the market since it was purchased by her husband Lord Astor in 1930, said Bonhams.
Born Nancy Witcher Langhorne in Danville, Virginia, the American-born British politician was the first woman to take her seat in Parliament, serving from 1919 to 1945.
She moved to England in 1905 and met American-born Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor (1879-1952), on the same trip across the Atlantic from America. Her husband, the great-great-grandson of American fur magnate Jacob Astor, was also a member of Parliament and the proprietor of The Observer, a London Sunday newspaper.
The pair married in 1906 and moved into Cliveden, their estate in Buckinghamshire, England, gifted to them by Astor’s father.
Nancy Astor was a prominent hostess for the British elite while also advocating for temperance, welfare, education reform, and women’s rights in parliament.
Her turquoise and diamond tiara will be “the star of the sale,” said Jean Ghika, Bonhams global head of jewelry.
The tiara is set throughout with old brilliant, single, and rose-cut diamonds, with a principal old brilliant-cut diamond at the center and three fluted turquoise plumes set with brilliant and single-cut diamond stems. Each side of the tiara features a radiating fan-shaped turquoise panel design.
The Cartier tiara has a pre-sale estimate of £250,000 to 350,000 ($332,300 to $465,300).
“Cartier has long been recognized as the name behind some of the world’s most important jewels, and the Astor turquoise and diamond tiara dates to a period when Cartier London was at the height of their creative prowess,” said Ghika.
The design is “truly unique,” said Ghika, noting its distinctive plumes, leaves and scrolls carved in turquoise were inspired by Egyptian, Indian, and Persian motifs.
The French jeweler explored these motifs throughout the early 20th century, she said, and its Eastern-inspired jewels were “hugely fashionable.”
“With impeccable provenance and a compelling marriage of Western and Eastern influences in the design, the tiara is exceptionally rare, and we feel honoured to have the opportunity to present it for sale for the first time in nearly a century.”
The tiara, seen here in a Cartier box, is “truly unique,” said Jean Ghika, Bonhams global head of jewelry.
The tiara was first recorded in the Cartier archives in 1929 when Cartier requested that English Art Works—the workshop within the 175 New Bond Street store that served as the main atelier for Cartier London—add the carved turquoise plumes and leaves to an existing diamond bandeau in 1930.
The completed tiara is listed in Cartier’s records in November 1930, said Bonhams, and was sold a month later to Viscount Astor.
In 1931, Lady Astor notably wore the tiara to the premiere of “City Lights” at the Dominion Theatre in London.
In the early 1930s, Lady Astor loaned the tiara to her sister Phyllis Langhorne Brand for a court presentation at Buckingham Palace.
Nancy's brother-in-law, the Hon. Robert Henry Brand, commissioned Cartier to produce a similar turquoise and diamond tiara in 1935.
The tiara belonging to Lady Astor’s sister is currently on display at the V&A museum’s Cartier exhibition.
Other highlights of the upcoming sale include a toi et moi ring set with a 2.05-carat fancy pink diamond and a 1.42-carat fancy bluish-green diamond. The pre-sale estimate is £180,000 to £250,000 ($239,300 to $332,300).
A Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. diamond and gem-set leaves necklace, circa 1980, is also up for sale.
A Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. necklace featuring pavé-set diamond leaves, gold stems and bows, and a gem-set butterfly
The articulated collar features pavé-set diamond leaves entwined with gold stems, with gold bows throughout and a gem-set butterfly.
The signed piece has a pre-sale estimate of £40,000 to £60,000 ($53,200 to $79,800).
Another Cartier piece will also hit the auction block. The citrine and diamond clip brooch, circa 1930, features the oval “buckle” motif set with circular-cut citrines and old brilliant-cut diamond accents. The central pin is channel-set with calibré-cut citrines.
A Cartier “buckle” clip brooch set with diamonds and citrines
The signed piece has a pre-sale estimate of £15,000 to £20,000 ($19,900 to $26,600).
For more information on the auction, visit the Bonhams website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
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.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
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.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
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.
