A piece of Hollywood history: Zsa Zsa Gabor’s $1.5 million Harry Winston diamond necklace up for sale
“I never hated a man enough to give him his diamonds back,” Zsa Zsa Gabor said in 1957, and while it’s not known who gave her the diamond necklace due to be sold at Bonhams next month, it became a staple in her jewellery box.
The Hungarian-born actress and socialite, famed for her glamorous lifestyle and nine marriages, was photographed wearing the diamond rivière necklace at various events over the decades: from a dinner party with her fifth husband, Joshua S. Cosden Jr., in 1966, to galas in the 1990s.
Made by Harry Winston in 1964 and carrying an estimate of $1.2-1.5 million (￡915,000 - ￡1.1 million), the necklace comprises 45 brilliant-cut white diamonds, graduating in size for a total of 66 carats, and was one of the most classic pieces in Gabor’s extensive collection.
A self-confessed jewellery lover, she was often seen wearing strings of pearls, elaborate emerald or ruby parures and, of course, lashings of diamonds.
Her typically pithy quotes summed up her fascination with jewels: “I love to put on diamonds and beautiful evening gowns and make my girlfriends upset," was one.
“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and dogs are a man’s best friend. Now you know which sex has more sense,” was another; although she appeared to have a change of heart in later life, quipping in 1987 that “I have learned that not diamonds but divorce lawyers are a girl’s best friend”.
Although renowned more for her expensive tastes and flamboyant personality, Gabor - who died last December aged 99 - appeared in 30 films, including Moulin Rouge in 1952, in which she played the cabaret singer Jane Avril.
The sale of the necklace is therefore a rare opportunity to own a piece of Hollywood history and its provenance will attract attention from collectors worldwide.
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“Zsa Zsa Gabor was the definition of Old Hollywood glamor, a rare breed of fabulous, and this necklace epitomizes the starlet’s personality to a tee: it’s not just gorgeous, it is over-the- top gorgeous!” says Susan Abeles, head of jewellery for Bonhams US.
“This necklace takes the classic diamond necklace, which goes with everything, to another level of superior quality, signature and provenance; it is absolutely breathtaking.
"As a result, we’re anticipating that there will be a lot of interest in it given the wonderful provenance of its original owner.”
The diamond necklace will be sold as part of the Fine Jewellery sale at Bonhams New York on December 4th