TrendsFeb 02, 2022
Did Rihanna Just Make #BellyMess a Thing?EditorsSep 30, 2022
The Best of Betty White’s Jewelry Sold at Auction
Michelle Graff recaps the cats, fortune cookies, and charm bracelets that caught her eye while covering the late actress’ estate sale.
PHOTO Betty White wore two vintage gold bracelets when she married Allen Ludden, one set with sapphires (pictured) and one set with diamonds. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
PHOTO The diamond bracelet was engraved with their wedding date, June 14, 1963, and the words “From this Day On.” Ludden and White were married until his death in 1981. The actress never remarried. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
While the late, great Betty White might not have had a jewelry collection on par with Elizabeth Taylor’s, that doesn’t make her jewelry any less interesting or personal.
My two favorite pieces from Julien’s Auctions’ recent white-glove sale of White’s estate were, in fact, extremely personal: they are the bracelets she wore on the day she married Allen Ludden, her third husband and the self-professed love of her life.
Pictured above, the gorgeous vintage pair are 18-karat gold.
One is set with sapphires, perhaps White’s nod to “something blue” or just a gemstone preference.
Although she was not a September baby (White was born in January), there were quite a few pieces in the sale of her estate set with sapphires, and who can blame her? They are beautiful.
The other bracelet is set with diamonds. Engraved on the side is “June 14, 1963 From This Day On,” referencing the date she married Ludden at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The bracelets are signed “E. Pearl,” which Julien’s attributes to “Edwin Pearl” but more likely were crafted by Erwin Pearl, who designed fine jewelry before getting into fashion. (I did not receive a reply from Julien’s by press time regarding the discrepancy.)
The bracelets sold for $10,240 each, more than five times their highest individual estimates.
Related stories will be right here …
My two favorite pieces from Julien’s Auctions’ recent white-glove sale of White’s estate were, in fact, extremely personal: they are the bracelets she wore on the day she married Allen Ludden, her third husband and the self-professed love of her life.
Pictured above, the gorgeous vintage pair are 18-karat gold.
One is set with sapphires, perhaps White’s nod to “something blue” or just a gemstone preference.
Although she was not a September baby (White was born in January), there were quite a few pieces in the sale of her estate set with sapphires, and who can blame her? They are beautiful.
The other bracelet is set with diamonds. Engraved on the side is “June 14, 1963 From This Day On,” referencing the date she married Ludden at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The bracelets are signed “E. Pearl,” which Julien’s attributes to “Edwin Pearl” but more likely were crafted by Erwin Pearl, who designed fine jewelry before getting into fashion. (I did not receive a reply from Julien’s by press time regarding the discrepancy.)
The bracelets sold for $10,240 each, more than five times their highest individual estimates.
(Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
Medallions are timeless ways of expressing oneself through words, symbols, or some combination thereof. The talismanic energy they bring never goes out of style.
I love this one belonging to White that’s engraved with the encouraging words, “Bets The Door Will Open.” It reminds me of another medallion with an empowering message that’s been on my wish list forever, Monica Rich Kosann’s “Dorothy” medallion, which reads, “You had the power all along, my dear.”
No word from Julien’s on when or from whom White might have received this 14-karat gold pendant with a halo of cultured pearls, though it really could have come at any point over the course of her long career, which spanned the 1940s to present day.
While White was much celebrated in her later years, it’s safe to assume her career had its ups and downs and, like anyone else, she needed encouragement at times.
A buyer paid $4,480 for the piece, well above its highest estimate of $600.
(Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
There were more than half a dozen charm bracelets included in the sale of White’s estate, which makes sense given the style’s long history and the resurgence it enjoyed in the 1940s and 1950s, when White was in her 20s and 30s.
There was a collection of silver charm bracelets from her childhood (sold for $2,560), a vintage charm bracelet featuring military charms (White served in the American Women’s Voluntary Services during World War II), and a bracelet with enamel charms from The Robbins Company that look like they belong in a showcase at the Couture show today (sold for $1,152). (Bonus: The backs of the enamel charms spell out the phrase, “Damn, but you’re a doll.”)
But my personal favorite is this 12-karat state charm bracelet featuring the outlines of nine U.S. states.
It reminds me of a bracelet that belonged to my late grandmother, who was around White’s age. My grandma had silhouette charms made to mark the birth of each of her eight grandchildren, with our names and exact birth dates engraved on the back. That bracelet was fabulous.
It also makes me wonder, did White get these on visits to each state, and was her goal at some point to have outlines of all 50 states on different charm bracelets?
And, what do the gems signify? At first, I thought it was state capitols, but there are three gems in Pennsylvania and the Ohio gem is set where Cleveland is, not Columbus. So, perhaps it’s cities she visited in those states?
We’ll never know, but I certainly hope the person who paid $1,600 for the piece—a bargain if you ask me—enjoys it.
(Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
(Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
When I first wrote about White’s jewelry style earlier this year, I noted jewelry is a way to communicate one’s passions and beliefs.
In White’s case, she used her jewels to express her love and compassion for animals, from the big cats I highlighted back in January to the irresistible collection of small cats above.
My favorites—the “gold tone” and black enamel cats with CZ collars sitting side by side at top and their black enamel friend licking his paw to the left. Fun note: the kitty at right in the middle is 18-karat gold with a round diamond and is signed “Tiffany Germany.”
A buyer paid $2,560 for this set of feline pins and pendants, surpassing its $400-$600 pre-sale estimate.
Also, who can resist the adorable otter brooch above? Cast in 18-karat gold, this little guy has a round diamond on his belly and a ruby eye. The otter pin sold for $5,760, against an estimate of $600-$800.
(Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
(Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
Like the charm bracelet, there’s an air of mystery surrounding this Ruser fortune cookie pin.
The fortune, as you can see above, reads, “And he’ll be short, gray, and then some.”
Was this a phrase White created for her fortune in reference to love of her life Ludden, who was certainly gray by the time they started dating and, at a reported 5-foot-9, not all that tall?
Did a friend gift it to White as a joke? Was it just a random inscription that came in the cookie she picked?
We may never know, but there is one more interesting note about the piece.
Ruser, I learned while chatting with jewelry historian Marion Fasel of The Adventurine earlier this week, was at one time “the name to have in Hollywood,” she said. Formerly located in Van Cleef & Arpels’ current space on Rodeo Drive, the company was helmed by William Ruser, whom everyone called Billy.
Despite being a signed and seemingly unique Ruser piece, the fortune cookie brooch was one of the few items in White’s estate sale that did not blow away its pre-sale estimates, perhaps because it lacked the screen caché of some of White’s other possessions, like the sapphire pendant that was the top jewelry lot of the sale.
Julien’s estimated the brooch would sell for $4,000-$6,000, and the hammer price was $5,760.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … WhiteA choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.
MajorsDec 05, 2025
Stuller Releases ‘Wrapped in Wonder’ CampaignThe manufacturer’s holiday campaign features a gift guide filled with trending designs and jewelry that can be personalized.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CrimeDec 04, 2025
Man Arrested After Allegedly Swallowing Fabergé Egg PendantThe man was charged with theft, accused of ingesting the necklace while in a jewelry store in Auckland, New Zealand.
Weekly QuizDec 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsDec 04, 2025
Step Inside JR Dunn Jewelers’ Giant New Store The Florida independent expanded its store from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet, fulfilling the vision of its late co-founder, Jim Dunn.
Supplier BulletinDec 04, 2025
Introducing Shop Natural Day: A New Movement Celebrating Natural DiamondsSponsored by De Beers Group
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
WatchesDec 04, 2025
Casio Shrinks its G-Shock WatchThe classic 5600 series G-Shock has been scaled down to about a tenth of its size, becoming a fully functioning watch ring.
Events & AwardsDec 04, 2025
AGA Announces 2026 Tucson Speaker LineupThe association’s annual conference and gala will take place Feb. 4, 2026, during the Tucson gem shows.
Events & AwardsDec 04, 2025
CBG Announces Speaker Lineup for 2026 Miami Event The January show will include a workshop for jewelry retailers on implementing AI to strengthen their businesses.
TrendsDec 03, 2025
Miley Cyrus Debuts Edgy Engagement RingFellow musician Maxx Morando proposed to the star with a chunky, cushion-cut diamond ring designed by Jacquie Aiche.
Policies & IssuesDec 03, 2025
Costco Joins Growing Wave of Retailers Suing for Tariff Refunds The retailer, which sells billions in fine jewelry and watches, is suing the Trump administration and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
SurveysDec 03, 2025
A Record 202.9M Shoppers Turned Out Thanksgiving WeekendBlack Friday is still the most popular shopping day over the five-day holiday weekend, as per the National Retail Federation’s survey.
AuctionsDec 03, 2025
Fabergé’s 'The Winter Egg' Achieves Record $30MThe historic egg, crafted for Russia's ruling family prior to the revolution, was the star of Christie’s recent auction of works by Fabergé.
FinancialsDec 02, 2025
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Up Amid Continued Focus on Lower Price PointsThe retailer offered more fashion jewelry priced under $1,000, including lab-grown diamond and men’s jewelry.
CollectionsDec 02, 2025
Briony Raymond Introduces First FragranceThe eau de parfum is held in a fluted glass bottle that mirrors the decor of the brand’s atelier, and its cap is a nod to its “Sloan” ring.
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Petra Diamonds Elevates Interim CEOs to Permanent StatusVivek Gadodia and Juan Kemp, who’ve been serving as interim co-CEOs since February, will continue to lead the diamond mining company.
MajorsDec 02, 2025
Lee Krombholz Takes Over as Chair of MJSA Education FoundationIn addition, a slate of new officers and trustees were appointed to the board.
IndependentsDec 02, 2025
RJO Welcomes Its 1,200th Retail MemberWitt’s Jewelry in Wayne, Nebraska, is the organization’s new milestone member.
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Brendan Laurs Honored With 2025 Bonanno AwardLaurs is the editor-in-chief of Gem-A’s The Journal of Gemmology and an expert on the formation of colored gemstone deposits.
CrimeDec 01, 2025
Fourth Man Charged in Louvre Jewelry HeistThe man, who has a criminal history, is suspected of being the fourth member of the four-man crew that carried out the heist.
AuctionsDec 01, 2025
Christie’s Presents ‘Splendor & Style’ CollectionThe single-owner collection includes one of the largest offerings of Verdura jewels ever to appear at auction, said Christie’s.
IndependentsDec 01, 2025
Lustig Jewelers’ New Owner Is a Fellow Chicago JewelerMichael Helfer has taken the reins, bringing together two historic Chicago jewelry names.
MajorsDec 01, 2025
PGI Debuts Platinum-Filled Holiday Gift GuideThe guide features all-new platinum designs for the holiday season by brands like Harwell Godfrey, Ritani, and Suna.
FinancialsNov 26, 2025
Movado CEO Talks Tariffs, Growing Interest in Accessible Luxury WatchesDuring its Q3 call, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed the deal to lower tariffs on Swiss-made watches, watch market trends, and more.
TrendsNov 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rosior’s Pumpkin RingRosior’s high jewelry cocktail ring with orange sapphires and green diamonds is the perfect Thanksgiving accessory.
