IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
AuctionsJul 12, 2017
Jewelry of Hollywood Icon Vivien Leigh Up for Auction
The actress became a public figure after playing Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind,” but a sale at Sotheby’s London will offer a look at her private life.
This photo of actress Vivien Leigh was taken by Cecil Beaton at the British Embassy in Paris in 1947.
London--She became a well-known public figure when she portrayed Scarlett O’Hara “Gone with the Wind” in 1939. Now, an auction scheduled for this fall will take a look at her private life.
The Vivien Leigh Collection comprises paintings, jewelry, clothing, books, furniture, porcelain, objets d’art and other items from her life, spanning her pre-war years in London to her Hollywood days and beyond, up to her death in 1967.
Many pieces will offer a new look at Leigh’s private life, including from the city and country homes she shared with her husband, actor Laurence Olivier, and showcasing her appreciation of art and patronage of British artists, books, entertaining and interior design.
It also will take a look at her style with some jewelry lots.
The auction house said that Leigh was not afraid to mix historic jewels with contemporary couture, with the bow motif appearing in her wardrobe a number of times.
The ultimate representation of this is a large mid-19th century diamond bow brooch or pendant, which is estimated to sell for between $32,100 and $45,000 at the fall auction.
Another notable jewelry lot in the sale is a gold ring from Olivier, to whom she was married from 1940 to 1960. The piece is expected to garner between about $514 and $771.
This mid-19th century diamond bow brooch or pendant is estimated to sell for between $32,100 and $45,000 at Sotheby’s in September.
This ring was given to actress Vivien Leigh by her husband of 20 years, the actor Laurence Olivier. It features an inscription that says “Laurence Olivier Vivien Eternally.”
Outside of jewelry, other highlights of the auction include Leigh’s personal copy of “Gone with the Wind,” given to her by its author Margaret Mitchell and inscribed by the latter with a handwritten poem: “Life’s pattern pricked with a scarlet thread / where once we were with a gray / To remind us all how we played our parts / In the shock of an epic day.”
It’s expected to sell for between about $6,400 and $9,000.
There also will be a copy of the “Gone with the Wind” film script presented to Leigh by members of the cast, circa 1939, which could sell for $3,200 and $4,500; an engraved silver cigarette box from the man credited with securing her the role of Scarlett O’Hara (between $514 and $771); and the wig she wore when she
played Blanche DuBois in the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which has a high estimate of $771.
More information about the sale, along with a catalogue of all lots, will be available later this summer, Sotheby’s said.
“This is our chance to discover the real, and unexpected, Vivien Leigh. We’re all guilty of confusing our favorite actresses with the heroines they portray, of blurring Vivien’s identity with that of Scarlett O’Hara or Blanche DuBois,” Sotheby’s U.K. chairman Harry Dalmeny said.
“But behind the guise of the most glamorous and talked-about woman of her age we find a fine art collector, patron, even a book worm, who was the intellectual equal of the literati, artists and aesthetes she counted among her coterie.”
More information about the sale, along with a catalogue of all lots, will be available later this summer, Sotheby’s said.
“This is our chance to discover the real, and unexpected, Vivien Leigh. We’re all guilty of confusing our favorite actresses with the heroines they portray, of blurring Vivien’s identity with that of Scarlett O’Hara or Blanche DuBois,” Sotheby’s U.K. chairman Harry Dalmeny said.
“But behind the guise of the most glamorous and talked-about woman of her age we find a fine art collector, patron, even a book worm, who was the intellectual equal of the literati, artists and aesthetes she counted among her coterie.”
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
