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Lot 185
A magnificent diamond rivière necklace, Harry Winston, 1964
Amended
4 December 2017, 15:00 EST
New YorkSold for US$1,272,500 inc. premium
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A magnificent diamond rivière necklace, Harry Winston, 1964
composed of forty-five graduated round brilliant-cut diamonds, the five central diamonds weighing 8.07, 6.34, 6.33, 5.35 and 4.88 carats, to an invisibly set clasp; unsigned, no5512; remaining total diamond weight: 66.21 carats; mounted in platinum; length: 14 13/16in.
Footnotes
Accompanied by GIA report # 5151838478, dated January 6, 2014, stating the 8.07 carats diamond as: G color, VVS2 clarity.
Accompanied by GIA report # 1152838447, dated January 6, 2014, stating the 6.34 carats diamond as: F color, VVS2 clarity.
Accompanied by GIA report # 1152838450, dated January 6, 2014, stating the 6.33 carats diamond as: G color, VVS1 clarity.
Accompanied by GIA report # 1152838468, dated January 6, 2014, stating the 5.35 carats diamond as: H color, VVS2 clarity.
Accompanied by GIA report # 2155838453, dated January 6, 2014, stating the 4.88 carats diamond as: I color, VVS2 clarity.
For further information on the remaining reports from the Gemological Institute of American (GIA), please contact the jewelry department.
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Harry Winston, dated August 23 2017.
Zsa Zsa Gabor, was a self-confessed jewelry lover who epitomized Hollywood glamour. Born Sari Gabor in 1917 in Budapest, Hungary. She and her two sisters grew up in an affluent family exposed to jewelry through her mother's family business. At age 13, she was sent to boarding school in Switzerland where she was soon discovered by the opera singer Richard Tauber. He encouraged her to spend time at the Vienna Acting Academy before making her debut in his opera.
In 1937, at the age of 20, Zsa Zsa Gabor married her first of nine husbands, the Turkish official Burhan Asaf Belge, to whom she allegedly proposed. To celebrate her engagement, her parents gifted her a 10 carat diamond. Unfortunately, this marriage did not last long and she filed for divorce after immigrating to the United States in 1941, where she join her sister.
In 1942, after only a few months, she met and married dashing bachelor and hotel magnate Conrad Hilton. Together they had a daughter, Francesca, before divorcing in 1946.
By the 1950's Ms. Gabor's film and television career had begun to blossom, first in 1952 with her movie roll in Lovely to Look At. Yet, she was probably best known for her European glamour. Many of her roles emulated her real life persona of self-indulgence and beauty. She was undoubtedly smart and whimsical, embracing the drama of Hollywood life.
It is not surprising that she frequently visited "the King of Diamonds," Harry Winston. It was there that she felt at home in the salon surrounded by jewels. Zsa Zsa Gabor was patron of this important diamond maison. This magnificent diamond necklace acquired in 1964 represents one of her largest purchases. The riviere initially composed of 47 graduating round diamonds was modified by Ms. Gabor when she removed two diamonds and converted them into diamond stud earrings.
Her love for jewelry and lavish adornment is legendary; and this necklace was undoubtedly a favorite jewel, as it is seen in many photographs.
Saleroom notices
Please be advised that all of the certificates from this necklace are from 2014, and may require updating.
