Legendary singer Dame Shirley Bassey has set a new world record at a Sotheby’s Fine Jewels auction in Paris, with her personal jewelry collection selling for an astounding 2.2 million euros (£1.8 million). Every piece in the collection, spanning decades of Bassey’s illustrious career, found a buyer, marking a historic moment in the world of jewelry auctions.
Bassey, who is best known for her iconic performance of the title track in the James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever”, has long been associated with dazzling jewels. The collection, which includes significant pieces from major moments in her career, was sold to benefit her chosen charities.
Among the standout items was a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond ring gifted to her by Sir Elton John, which fetched 48,000 euros (£39,995), more than triple its estimated value. A Van Cleef & Arpels emerald and diamond necklace, which Bassey bought to celebrate her first Royal Variety Performance before Queen Elizabeth II, also far exceeded expectations, selling for 174,000 euros (£144,985), well above its estimate of 70,000 euros.
The collection showcased Bassey’s lifelong love affair with jewelry. As she reminisced before the sale, her passion for jewelry began with her first string of pearls, and soon blossomed into a love for diamonds. “Collecting jewelry for me is like collecting memories,” she said. This sentiment was reflected in every piece of the auction, which spanned her extraordinary 71-year career, from her humble beginnings in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay to global superstardom.
The auction also featured rare vintage items, such as a 1905 diamond brooch that sold for 162,000 euros (£134,991), nearly five times its original estimate. These sales solidify Dame Shirley Bassey’s status as not only a music icon but also a celebrated figure in the luxury jewelry world.
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