SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
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.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
