UK
Diamonds Are Not Forever? Shirley Bassey auctions jewellery
She once sang Diamonds Are Forever – but Dame Shirley Bassey is now selling hers.
The Welsh singer, 87, is auctioning some of her “meaningful” jewels, including a diamond ring given to her by Sir Elton John.
But anyone who wants the diamonds on their Goldfinger had better be a Big Spender.
Top lots from her collection include a diamond necklace, estimated to sell for between €270,000 and €320,000 (£232,420 and £275,460), and a diamond and gold parure (matched set of ornaments) created by Cartier, estimated to fetch between €200,000 and €250,000 (£172,170 and £215,210).
Pic: Sotheby’s/PA
There is also a yellow diamond ring, which could fetch between €165,000 and €200,000 (£142,030 and £172,150), and an aquamarine, sapphire, diamond, and gem set estimated to sell for between €60,000 and €70,000 (£51,640 and £60,250).
Dame Shirley said the collection of jewellery includes pieces she bought for herself to commemorate significant moments – including performing at her first Royal Variety Performance in front of the late Queen.
“Collecting jewellery for me is like collecting memories and this collection is full of them,” she said.
“All the pieces are meaningful and have a story to tell, whether I bought them for myself or they were gifted to me.
“There is this beautiful 1960s vintage Van Cleef & Arpels ring covered in white diamonds that Elton John gave me after I sang at one of his Aids Gala evenings and which I’ve worn so many times.
Pic: Sotheby’s/PA
Dame Shirley Bassey’s aquamarine, sapphire and diamond gemset, estimated to sell for between €60,000 and €70,000. Pic: Sotheby’s/PA
“Or the ruby and diamond heart parure I spotted in a fine jeweller’s window during a stopover in Bangkok on my way to my very first concert tour of Australia.
“And perhaps one of the most special pieces in the collection is this emerald parure I bought myself to commemorate my very first Royal Variety Performance in front of the late Queen.”
Dame Shirley also revealed she accepted the offer to sing in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, starring Sir Sean Connery, because the lyrics “rang true” to her.
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“I fell in love with jewellery when I first discovered natural pearls as an up-and-coming singer and I bought myself my first string of pearls – the first piece of jewellery I’d ever bought,” she said.
“However, I quickly graduated to my lifelong passion for diamonds which preceded the recording of Diamonds Are Forever.
“In fact, I accepted to sing the song because it rang true to me and the way I felt about diamonds then and now.”
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Highlights from Dame Shirley’s collection will be exhibited at Sotheby’s London from 24 to 29 May before they go on display in Paris from 4 October.
The live auction will take place at Sotheby’s Paris on 10 October.
The collection is part of the Sotheby’s Fine Jewels biannual auction with proceeds from Dame Shirley’s sale benefiting her chosen charities.