Harry Winston's Notable Diamond Assemblage
In the heart of New York City, Harry Winston, a visionary in the world of large diamonds and red-carpet fine jewellery, established his eponymous business in 1932. Over the years, Winston amassed an impressive collection of the world's most famous diamonds, owning more than one-third of them throughout his illustrious career.
One of the most iconic diamonds in Winston's collection was the Hope Diamond, a magnificent blue gemstone. The Hope Diamond, with a storied history involving French royalty, was procured by Winston in a significant estate jewellery sale. This 112-carat blue diamond, once owned by Harry Winston before it was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958, is renowned worldwide.
Another noteworthy diamond in Winston's collection was the Williamson Pink Diamond, a 23.6-carat pink diamond that was once owned by Harry Winston before being sold in the 1950s. It is one of the rare and expensive pink diamonds in the world.
Winston also held The Indore Pears, two teardrop-shaped Golconda diamonds, each weighing 46.62 and 44.18 carats respectively. The Indore Pears, along with other rare gems such as the Catherine The Great Sapphire, The Jonker I, a 14-carat ruby, a 42-carat emerald, The Idol's Eye, and The Star of the East, adorned Winston's collection.
Harry Winston was known for his distinctive diamond settings, such as the cluster setting introduced in the 1940s, which highlight the brilliance of his diamonds through minimal metal use and three-dimensional effects.
In 2013, Harry Winston Inc. acquired the 101.73 carat flawless and colorless diamond, now known as the Winston Legacy. The company also secured a rare 13.22-carat, internally flawless, fancy vivid blue diamond, named the Winston Blue, in 2014.
Winston's ability to get his hands on exceptional stones, remove them from their outdated settings, and re-cut them into more contemporary styles, was evident in the Vargas diamond. The Vargas diamond, a 726.60 carat rough diamond discovered in Brazil in 1938, was pursued across three continents by Winston before it became part of his collection. The diamond resulted in 29 individual diamonds after it was successfully split.
The Lesotho diamond, purchased by Winston in 1969, was another significant acquisition. The Lesotho diamond was cut into 18 unique stones, the largest being a 71.73 carat emerald-cut. One of these stones, the Lesotho III, was purchased by Aristotle Onassis as an engagement ring for Jacqueline Kennedy.
The Portuguese diamond, a 127.01 carat emerald-cut diamond, was believed to have been part of the Portuguese Crown and was purchased by Winston in 1951. The Briolette, with an unusual shape, exceptional size (90.38 carats), and quality (D colour), is one of the world's rarest gemstones.
The Star of Independence, a 75.52 carat, D flawless diamond, was cut by Harry Winston in 1976, adding another gem to his impressive collection.
Harry Winston's legacy continues to shine, leaving an indelible mark on the world of fine jewellery and iconic diamonds.
- Harry Winston's collection also included the Briolette, a rare 90.38 carat gemstone, considered one of the world's most extraordinary and unusual diamonds.
- The gowns worn by celebrities, influencing fashion-and-beauty trends, often featured Harry Winston diamonds on red carpets, adding a touch of pop-culture glamour.
- Gemmology enthusiasts from around the world aspire to obtain a diploma from Harry Winston's Diamond Course, one of the most prestigious in the field of gemmology.
- With Harry Winston's exceptional diamonds gracing the hands of celebrities, the intersection of lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, and celebrities became inextricably linked with the brand's iconic diamonds.
