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
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
