Diamonds Are Perpetually singer Shirley Bassey is to public sale a few of her intensive and “significant” jewelry assortment, together with a diamond ring given to her by Elton John.
High tons from her assortment, which will probably be exhibited by Sotheby’s London later this month earlier than being auctioned for charity in Paris, embrace a diamond necklace estimated to promote for between €270,000 and €320,000 (£232,420 and £275,460). A diamond and gold parure created by Cartier is estimated to fetch between €200,000 and €250,000 (£172,170 and £215,210).
The 87-year-old famously sang about diamonds within the 1971 James Bond movie starring Sean Connery and mentioned she accepted the supply to sing the observe because the lyrics “rang true to me and the way in which I felt about diamonds then and now.”
“Amassing jewelry for me is like accumulating reminiscences and this assortment is stuffed with them,” Bassey mentioned. “All of the items are significant and have a narrative to inform, whether or not I purchased them for myself or they have been gifted to me.
“There may be this stunning Nineteen Sixties classic Van Cleef & Arpels ring lined in white diamonds that Elton John gave me after I sang at one among his Aids Gala evenings and which I’ve worn so many occasions.
“Or the ruby and diamond coronary heart parure I noticed in a high-quality jeweller’s window throughout a stopover in Bangkok on my solution to my very first live performance tour of Australia.
“And maybe one of the crucial particular items within the assortment is that this emerald parure I purchased myself to commemorate my very first Royal Selection Efficiency in entrance of the late Queen.”
Bassey mentioned she fell in love with jewelry “as an up-and-coming singer and I purchased myself my first string of pearls – the primary piece of jewelry I’d ever purchased.”
Different tons embrace a yellow diamond ring, which might fetch between €165,000 and €200,000 (£142,030 and £172,150), and an aquamarine, sapphire, diamond and gem set estimated to promote for between €60,000 and €70,000 (£51,640 and £60,250).
Highlights from the gathering will probably be exhibited at Sotheby’s London from 24 Might to 29 earlier than it displays in Paris from 4 October previous to the dwell public sale, happening at Sotheby’s Paris on 10 October.
The gathering is a part of the Sotheby’s High-quality Jewels biannual sale, with proceeds benefiting Bassey’s chosen charities.
