More than 80 jewels from the collection of British singer Dame Shirley Bassey will feature at an upcoming Sotheby’s auction, including diamonds Elton John gifted her.
The sale, which Sotheby’s will hold in Paris on October 10, features some of Bassey’s favorite pieces, many marking a special time in her career, the auction house said Wednesday. Jewels from well-known design houses such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, as well as a Piaget watch, will go up on the block.
“Collecting jewelry for me is like collecting memories, and this collection is full of them,” said Bassey. “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. And perhaps one of the most special…is this emerald parure I bought myself to commemorate my very first Royal Variety Performance in front of the late queen.”
Sotheby’s will exhibit the jewels in Monaco, London and Paris prior to the sale.
Here are some highlights from the sale:
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Main image: Shirley Bassey. (Sotheby’s)
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