Barbara Walters Engagement Ring Tops Bonhams Sale

A Harry Winston diamond ring that TV producer Merv Adelson used to propose to famed media icon Barbara Walters was the lead item at a special Bonhams auction of her estate.

Featuring an emerald-cut, 13.84-carat, D-color, VVS2-clarity diamond between trilliant-cut diamonds, the ring went for $699,000 at the sale, which took place Monday in New York. The piece’s estimated value was $600,000 to $900,000.

Other jewelry items that garnered interest at the auction included three pairs of earrings by designer JAR. One, featuring oval-shaped center stones of garnet and rubellite tourmaline respectively, as well as 2.20 carats of diamond accents, sold for $229,100. So did a pair with briolette tourmalines. Another, containing peridot, tourmaline, sapphire and diamond in a paisley-shaped setting, brought in $203,700.

Several other items of jewelry found buyers, including a Belle Époque brooch from 1910 with 11 carats of old-cut diamonds, and a diamond pendant necklace by Harry Winston with the monogram “BW.”

The sale also contained artwork belonging to the late journalist, as well as handbags, cigarette boxes and other personal items.

Main image: The Harry Winston 13.84-carat diamond engagement ring. (Bonhams)