Duchess of Windsor Jewellery

[wyevale]

Wallis was very 'a la page'. and the unusual combination of stones is very characteristic of 'cutting edge' jewels in this period.
Early 'Art Deco' jewels were mostly 'white' [diamond] or at least monochromatic [Diamond and onyx or diamond and one coloured stone]. Only in the late thirties did Jewellers [Cartier principally] launch more adventurous and colourful designs, and the Duchess was pivotal to popularising this style [which continued after the interruption of the War, well into the 50s].

 

[CyrilVladisla]

An emerald, ruby and diamond brooch belonging to Wallis
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/103032539

 

[Tarlita]

Another beautiful piece. Thank you for the link. I went to the Cartier exhibition in April in Canberra and they had many of Wallis's jewels on display and I don't remember seeing this lovely piece.
The Duchess was lucky enough to have so many wonderful pieces.

 

[countess felicitas]

I'm not sure I do.
The emerald is absolutely breathtaking but I dislike how its set: a piece like that should not only be the centrepiece, it should be the only one. I also rather dislike the clash of gold and emerald; perhaps if they used platinum, it would have a more winning look.

It is actually not the original setting. The orginial one was a more plain platinum setting as per the time - but I haven't been able to find a picture. The Duchess later changed the setting to a more "up to date" (by this time) gold and diamond setting.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

What became of the Duchess of Windsor's Cartier amethyst and turquoise torsade bracelet?

 

[Countessmeout]

What became of the Duchess of Windsor's Cartier amethyst and turquoise torsade bracelet?

I assume you mean this one. It was sold in auction in 2013

https://www.sothebys.com/en/videos/jewels-formerly-the-property-of-the-duke-duchess-of-windsor

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Countessmeout, Thank you for the informative video. I am surprised that someone from the British Royal Family did not purchase Edward's cufflinks and cigarette boxes. They have significant royal heritage.

 

[Leopoldine]

I'm not a fan of mid-century big jewels. I like Deco, but the next 30 years were sorry indeed. I dislike the big gold claw settings on cabochon gems, and the mixing of different colored stones, except for well-designed brooches. The mix of amethyst and turquoise is like sapphire and turquoise -- not attractive.

 

[IloveCP]

The Windsor Anniversary Heart Brooch | The Court Jeweller

I dislike this brooch. I find the design too much.

 

[Prinsara]

A video about the jewels and the 1987 sale, before and after.

 

[Curryong]

Wallis certainly enjoyed having statement pieces in her collection! I like Deco and unusual designs, such as panthers, leopards and various birds in jewellery, also am a fan of coloured gems rather than diamonds. However, this collection epitomised the Duchess herself I think, a bit flashy a little OTT, not much delicacy in the overall finish in the end.

 

[SirGyamfi1]

The pearls given by Queen Mary and the big Olga Tritt pearls were so lovely, it ended up on Anne Klein but she too sold them off.

 

[An Ard Ri]

The Duchess of Windsor’s Emerald Necklace,the pear-shaped emerald is believed to have belonged to King Alfonso XIII of Spain,who inherited it from his aunt the Infanta Isabel of Spain and sold it off during his exile.
https://royalwatcherblog.com/2022/0...ped emeralds,rest of the Duchess's collection.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

High jewelry from the collection of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor

 

[SirGyamfi1]

When Wallis was at a party in New York wearing a necklace, the Maharani of Baroda, Sita Devi commented that the necklace looked just as good as it did on her feet. Sita Devi was the previous owner of the jewels but they used to anklets and Harry Winston made the stones in a necklace for Wallis who bought it. Wallis was so stunned that she immediately returned the jewels back

 

[Alisa]

SARAH KANJ on Instagram: "If you were born in February, your birthstone is #amethyst (The lilac to deep purple stone) and No doubt Cartier’s most famous Amethyst necklace is the One commissioned by the Duchess of Windsor in the late 40’s. In 1953,

15K likes, 161 comments - davincicode7 on February 4, 2025: "If you were born in February, your birthstone is #amethyst (The lilac to deep purple stone) and No doubt Cartier’s most famous Amethyst necklace is the One commissioned by the Duchess of Windsor in the late 40’s. In 1953...

www.instagram.com

This necklace is nothing short of fabulous!

 

[Elly C]

Lovely to see this thread revived. I just drool over her jewellery collection. Wish we had the opportunity to see individual pieces being worn in public instead of being tucked away in private collections.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

The Duchess of Windsor had the Carolee Enamel Pave Rhinestone Bird Brooch.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/509329039080576891/

 

[Elly C]

Queen Camilla would rock that brooch!

 

[Blog Real]

What happened to the Duchess of Windsor's jewelry? Who inherited them?

 

[Hallo girl]

I believe they were sold at auction. Funds went to a charity ( I think )

 

[Curryong]

I have read that Lord Mountbatten went over to Paris to see the Duchess (who was by then very frail) several times in the last years of her life. Somehow, though, the question of her will kept being introduced and the subject of who she intended to leave her jewels and money to was repeated.

He, it seemed, wanted her to leave some of her jewellery and money to members of the Royal Family. Mountbatten was so persistent that the Duchess became very upset and finally her lawyer told Lord Mountbatten not to visit again. I don't believe in fact that she left anything to her late husband’s relatives.

 

[Elly C]

A quick search on the net throws up various accounts of the original Sotheby’s auction of the major pieces in 1987. The catalogue ( many pics from which can still be viewed online) was memorable in terms of the uniqueness and beauty of individual pieces.

"The Jewels Of The Duchess Of Windsor" - 2nd-3rd April 1987 Sotheby's Geneva

w/ 306 lots Sotheby's Geneva 1987 11" x 8 1/2" Fine/ Fine Scroll Down for (22) Additional Scans: The auction catalogue for the historic sale of the Duchess of Windsor's jewels at Sotheby's in 1987. Throughout their life together the Duke and Duchess had commissioned jewellery from the top makers...

thecarycollection.com

Since then, some items have reappeared in auctions- again it’s easy to find reports on the net and the eye watering amounts they have sold for.
There’s also a story that circulated relatively recently suggesting a major theft of the Duchess’s jewellery might have been faked to raise funds.

Was the Duchess of Windsor ‘behind’ a £17 million jewellery robbery?

Did the disgraced royals fake the famous heist in a bid to raise funds? On the anniversary of King Edward VIII's abdication, revisit why some historians believe the truth is murkier than anyone could have imagined

www.tatler.com

As Curryong has said previously, it seems nothing was bequeathed to the main line of the family, although I recall reading that Princess Michael of Kent received a couple of items as gifts from the Duchess before she died.

A couple of interesting articles regarding the jewellery collection

Duchess of Windsor's Jewels | Solitaire Magazine

Few love stories have captured hearts and imaginations like that of British King Edward VIII and American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Edward and Wallis, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, became one of the most romantic couples of the century when Edward renounced the English throne in...

www.solitairemagazine.com

The Duchess of Windsor Collection - For the Love of Wallis

Wallis Simpson: The Duchess of Windsor Collection, Cartier Panther Gemstone Jewelry.....

www.antique-jewelry-investor.com

 

[An Ard Ri]

A look at the late Duchess of Windsors Cartier Flamingo Brooch
I can't say I'm a fan but look at what it sold for at Sotheby’s in London in 2011- £1,721,250
Duchess of Windsor’s Cartier Flamingo Brooch

 

[Elly C]

A look at the late Duchess of Windsors Cartier Flamingo Brooch
I can't say I'm a fan but look at what it sold for at Sotheby’s in London in 2011- £1,721,250
Duchess of Windsor’s Cartier Flamingo Brooch

Most of her jewellery consisted of very distinctive pieces rather than anything understated. Some of it I like , but I agree the flamingo brooch isn’t my taste either. I do like the panther bracelet , but you have to be able to carry such pieces off. I never thought the Duchess really did.

 

[Noble Consort Ming]

The Duchess of Windsor had the Carolee Enamel Pave Rhinestone Bird Brooch.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/509329039080576891/

No. She did not have this brooch by Carolee. Hers was not a costume piece. Carolee made jewelry based on pieces that the Duchess of Windsor had owned.