The jewellery collection of Dame Shirley Bassey has set a world record in a recent Paris auction, raising a collective price of £1.8m. Born in Tiger Bay in Cardiff, Bassey famously sang about diamonds in the 1971 James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever” starring Sir Sean Connery, a position she was happy to accept as the lyrics “rang true” to her. The collection was auctioned on 10 October as part of the Sotheby’s Fine Jewels biannual sale, with proceeds going to Bassey’s chosen charities.
A diamond-encrusted Van Cleef and Arpels ring given to Bassey by Sir Elton John in the 1960s sold for an impressive £39,995, more than three times its initial estimate of €10,000-€15,000. A Van Cleef and Arpels necklace made up of emeralds and diamonds that the singer bought to commemorate her first ever Royal Variety Performance in front of Queen Elizabeth II sold for £144,985, more than double its initial estimate of €50,000-€70,000. Bassey’s vintage diamond brooch, believed to have been made around 1905, sold for £134,991, almost five times its initial estimate of €26,000-€35,000.
A known jewellery enthusiast, Bassey said before the auction that she had discovered her love of jewellery as a young singer, buying her first ever pearl necklace. However, she went on to develop a passion for diamonds, an obsession that pre-dated the Bond movie and which she retains to this day. The singer said that collecting jewellery is akin to collecting memories for her, and that she looks fondly at the pieces on sale.
Dame Shirley Bassey has a unique place in music history for recording more than one James Bond theme, whilst also being the first Welsh singer ever to have a UK no.1 single with her 1959 hit “As I Love You”. In total she has had 12 UK top 10 singles and eight UK top 10 albums
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