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.

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 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.

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.

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.
The Latest

Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.


The Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

NYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

U.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.

A new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.

The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”

Sapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.

The retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.

The three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.

The collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Sponsored by Clientbook

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.