During Hollywood’s Golden Age, the leading ladies of the day sparkled on screen and off, often commissioning red carpet-ready jewelry for their personal collections. Some of their jewels even made star turns themselves, appearing in movies and advertising.
Such was the case for a 1940 citrine-and-gold suite Joan Crawford commissioned from famed jeweler Raymond Yard, viewed as one of the most prominent Art Deco jewelers in the world.
The citrine and gold jewelry suite actress Joan Crawford commissioned from Raymond Yard; estimate: $15,000-$20,000. The necklace’s stone detaches and can be worn as a brooch.
Courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Consisting of a statement-making necklace, brooch and bracelet, the spectacular suite is being offered in Heritage Auctions’ Spring Fine Jewelry event on May 2 and has an estimate of $15,000-$20,000. The citrine stone in the necklace alone is a whopping 357.60 carats.
A popular pastime amongst the Hollywood set was collecting jewels. Many stars also wore their own jewelry on movie sets and in advertising. This citrine jewelry has made several appearances with the Academy Award-winning actress: Crawford wore the cuff bracelet, set with two gigantic half-moon shaped citrines set in a circle, in the 1939 film, The Women, and also wore the suite in the 1941 film Where Ladies Meet and in a print ad for Royal Crown Cola.
Joan Crawford wearing the suite.
Courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Joan Crawdord wearing her citrine suite in an RC Cola ad.
Courtesy of Heritage Auctions
The Crawford-commissioned suite stands out as one of Yard’s most elegant creations, even earning a spot in the 2007 book, YARD: The Life and Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard. The famed jeweler was a bit of a celebrity himself, earning renown among America’s elite for his exquisite Art Deco designs and the fine custom pieces he crafted for families such as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and du Ponts.
Joan Crawford wearing her citrine cuff in a movie still for “The Women,” 1939.
Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Mitzi Gaynor Collection: A bevy of jewels belonging to actress, dancer and singer Mitzi Gaynor also shines in this event. Gaynor delighted audiences in movie musicals such as There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954), Anything Goes (1956) and South Pacific (1958), and her jewelry collection is sure to dazzle bidders as well. Among the 15 Gaynor-owned jewels on offer in this event are a pair of Colombian emerald and diamond brooches (estimate: $40,000-$60,000) and a sailor-themed Balogh’s brooch (estimate: $5,000-$7,000) made of diamonds, sapphires and freshwater cultured pearls. The sailor design is a whimsical nod to Gaynor’s role as Ensign Nellie Forbush in South Pacific.
Actress Mitzi Gaylor once wore these Colombian emerald and diamond brooches; estimate: $40,000-$60,000.
Courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Though the owners of the following collections may never have seen their name in lights, the pieces they amassed deserve top billing nonetheless.
Property of a collector: This fashion-savvy collector spent the past decade amassing a brilliant assemblage of bold, colorful JAR ear clips. The 20 pairs available in this event represent the largest private collection of composite, titanium and aluminum JAR ear clips ever to have been offered at auction.
A colorful pair of JAR gold and titanium ear clips, French, in pansy form. Estimated at $5,000-$7,000, the current bid as of April 20 was $10,500.
Courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Property from the Phyllis Rubin Estate: An artist and self-made businesswoman, Phyllis Rubin was known for her impeccable taste and appreciation for the finer things in life, including gorgeous jewels. Case in point: a stunning 19.02-carat diamond and platinum ring (estimate: $150,000-$200,000).
Property of a lady: This collector has a fondness for big, beautiful diamonds, including a sparkling 21.93-carat diamond and gold necklace (estimate: $200,000-$250,000) and an unmounted diamond weighing 17.39 carats (estimate: $150,000-$200,000). Other highlights include a 12.49-carat diamond and gold ring (estimate: $125,000-$175,000) and a flower-themed brooch featuring a golden South Sea cultured pearl measuring 11.30 mm and a 4.15-carat diamond (estimate: $90,000-$120,000).
Property from the Cary M. Maguire Estate: Cary Maguire was a leader in the energy industry and a dedicated philanthropist, perhaps most notably for his years of support of Southern Methodist University. Two highlights from his estate include a wow-worthy pendant featuring a cushion-shaped tanzanite weighing 105.10 carats (estimate: $50,000-$75,000) a Dunay necklace with a triangular-shaped peridot weighing approximately 56.00 carats (estimate: $10,000-$15,000).
For more information and to see more lots offered in the auction, visit HA.com/5530.
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