AuctionsOct 14, 2021
Al Capone’s Jewels Smash Auction EstimatesAuctionsOct 15, 2021
The Duchess of Windsor’s First Anniversary Gift Is Going to Auction
The Cartier bangle given by Edward VIII is estimated to sell for as much as $1.6 million at Christie’s Geneva next month.
This Cartier bangle with Burmese rubies and diamonds, given to the Duchess of Windsor by her husband on their first wedding anniversary, could sell for between $1.1 million and $2.2 million at auction next month.
Geneva—At the same time Marie Antoinette’s diamond bracelets go up for auction, Christie’s will also feature another set of royal jewels but with a more modern provenance.
At the Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva on Nov. 9, the auction house will offer the first anniversary gift the Duke of Windsor gave to his wife, the Duchess of Windsor, on June 3, 1938.
He chose a special ruby bracelet from Cartier for the occasion and must have placed the order with the house earlier that year to have it delivered ahead of the couple’s trip out of town to spend the summer in the south of France, Christie’s said.
The bangle features two cushion-shaped rubies Burmese rubies—which show no signs of heat treatment—weighing a total of 36.15 carats and approximately 24-25 carats of baguette and circular-cut diamonds set in platinum.
It features an inscription of a personal message, as many of her jewels did, that says: “For our first anniversary of June third.”
Edward VIII famously abdicated the British throne in December 1936 after just one year of ruling, becoming the first English monarch to voluntarily do so, according to History.com.
He chose to do after the British government, public, and Church of England decried his decision to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simson.
Related stories will be right here …
At the Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva on Nov. 9, the auction house will offer the first anniversary gift the Duke of Windsor gave to his wife, the Duchess of Windsor, on June 3, 1938.
He chose a special ruby bracelet from Cartier for the occasion and must have placed the order with the house earlier that year to have it delivered ahead of the couple’s trip out of town to spend the summer in the south of France, Christie’s said.
The bangle features two cushion-shaped rubies Burmese rubies—which show no signs of heat treatment—weighing a total of 36.15 carats and approximately 24-25 carats of baguette and circular-cut diamonds set in platinum.
It features an inscription of a personal message, as many of her jewels did, that says: “For our first anniversary of June third.”
Edward VIII famously abdicated the British throne in December 1936 after just one year of ruling, becoming the first English monarch to voluntarily do so, according to History.com.
He chose to do after the British government, public, and Church of England decried his decision to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simson.
Once his brother, George VI, became king after he stepped down, he named Edward the Duke of Windsor.
The Duke and Simson were married in France at the Château de Candé in June 1937.
Now, the gift representing their first year of marriage is expected to sell for CHF 1 million to CHF 1.5 million (about $1.1 million to $1.6 million) at auction.
Christie’s called the bangle “one of Cartier’s most unusual designs” for its avant-garde style. The house had originally set the ruby and diamond clusters in a necklace before but reworked it into the current design the following year for the couple.
This is the first time the piece has appeared at auction since the popular 1987 Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor auction, which brought in more than $30 million, setting a record at the time and more than quadrupling the previous high sum paid at auction for a single collection of jewels.
Parties interested in the bangle will be able to see it in New York, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai before it heads to Christie’s Geneva for preview in the days leading up to the jewelry auction.
More on Auctions
The Latest
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
