Jewels From the Collection of Dame Joan Collins Bring Hollywood Glamour to Bonhams London Jewels Sale

A selection of jewels from the collection of screen, stage and literary star Dame Joan Collins will form part of the London Jewels sale at Bonhams, on Thursday 12th November 2020. The five pieces offered encompass her inimitable style and glamour, providing a glimpse into the extraordinary career and life of the actress and author.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of these jewels will go to The Shooting Star Children's Hospice, the leading children's hospice charity which cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families, of which Dame Joan is a patron. In 1997, she was awarded an OBE for her services to the arts and in 2015 was made a DBE for her lifetime contribution to charitable causes. Dame Joan is passionately committed to many charitable organizations with a particular focus on women, children and the family unit.

One of the most valuable pieces of jewellery in the sale is A Diamond Necklace, estimate £50,000 – 70,000 (US$65,000 – 91,000), which was purchased in 1985 during the heyday of the Dynasty series which saw Dame Joan play the legendary character Alexis Carrington Colby. This is arguably her most celebrated role, which won her a Golden Globe and many other awards in the 1980s. During this time, viewers around the world tuned in every week to witness the elaborate schemes Alexis orchestrated, all the while looking a million dollars.

The necklace is designed as a graduated series of brilliant and marquise-cut diamonds, with a scrolling ribbon of step-cut diamonds. The total diamond weight is approximately 60.50 carats.

"The fabulous thing about jewellery is how extraordinary it makes you feel - these pieces of jewellery have brought me so much joy over the years and I felt it was time for others to experience this. I am also delighted to support The Shooting Star Children's Hospice through part of the proceeds of the lots – the charity is vitally important, and it is an honour to be able to support it.", says Dame Joan Collins.

Global Director of Jewellery, Jean Ghika says, "The pieces from Dame Joan Collins' collection of jewellery embody the Hollywood glamour for which she is known and it is a privilege to be able to offer them for sale this November".

The sale will also include A Pair of Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earrings, estimate £2,000 – 3,000 (US$2,600 – 3,900). Each earring is a faceted ruby plaque within a surround of similarly cut diamonds, one accented by a brilliant-cut diamond-set panel, suspended from a bullet-shaped and brilliant-cut diamond surmount. The diamonds weigh approximately 3.30 carats in total.

A Diamond Brooch, by Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1930, estimate £15,000 – 20,000 (US$20,000 – 26,000), is an exceptional example of the innovation Van Cleef & Arpels demonstrated during the 1930s, a time of economic and political uncertainty. The brooch is designed as a corkscrew curl ribbon which enables a flower to be inserted and is set throughout with brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum and gold.

To pave-set diamonds onto a three-dimensional platinum scroll with a smooth and seamless finish is a highly complex and adventurous technique that requires the expertise of a select few. The diamonds weigh approximately 8.60 carats in total and the brooch is signed Van Cleef & Arpels.

The final two highlights from the collection which will be auctioned at the Bonhams London Jewels sale are:

• A Diamond Collar, estimate £4,000 – 6,000 (US$5,200 – 7,800)
• A Pair of Diamond Pendent Earrings, estimate £2,000 – 3,000 (US$2,600 – 3,900)