Renowned for her song Diamonds Are Forever, for the 1971 James Bond movie, 1950s music sensation Dame Shirley Bassey’s prized diamonds are up for grabs by fortunate collectors. She is an icon and equally iconic is her personal collection of jewels. Each jewel tells a unique story from the singer’s life. “Collecting jewelry for me is like collecting memories, and this collection is full of them. All the pieces are meaningful and have a story to tell, whether I bought them for myself, or they were gifted to me,” Ms. Bassey shared. All the proceeds from the collection will benefit Shirley Bassey’s chosen charities.
Garnered throughout her illustrious career, the collection comprises over 80 jewels, featuring pieces from renowned brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Piaget, alongside several collectible watches. The standout pieces will be showcased in Monaco, London, and Paris prior to the live sale scheduled for October 10, 2024, in Paris, as part of the Sotheby’s Fine Jewels biannual sale this autumn.
Highlights include a diamond necklace (€270,000 – 320,000); an elegant diamond and gold parure created by Cartier (€200,000 – 250,000); a yellow diamond ring (€165,000 – 200,000); an emerald and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels (€60,000 – 70,000) and an aquamarine, sapphire, diamond, and gem set (€60,000 – 70,000 Euros).
Interestingly, all the pieces feature a good size of diamonds. A gem that has been associated with the musical icon since her iconic performance of Diamonds Are Forever for the Bond film in 1971. Her mesmerizing rendition not only immortalized the song but also solidified her association with diamonds, representing her unique and unparalleled talent.
Speaking of the auction of personal collection, Ms. Bassey said, “I fell in love with jewellery when I first discovered natural pearls as a up and coming singer, and I bought myself my first string of pearls – the first piece of jewellery I’d ever bought. 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.”
Hailing from Tiger Bay, a disadvantaged neighborhood in Cardiff, Shirley Bassey was the seventh child of Henry and Eliza Bassey. And it wasn’t easy for her to ink her name in the music world. She signed her first professional contract at 16, gracing theaters across the United Kingdom by 18.
Recognizing her exceptional talent, Philips Records swiftly signed her. Beginning her musical journey as a teenager in 1953, she soared to new heights in 1959, becoming the first Welsh individual to secure a number-one single on the UK Singles Chart. With timeless hits like Never, Never, Never, her musical repertoire flourished. Recently, she was also honored as a Member of the Order of the Companion of Honour by The King for her musical contributions. Dame Bassey’s legacy truly continues to shine brightly.
