Among the famed gemstones that Harry Winston (1896–1978) encountered over the course of his career was the Hope diamond, which he donated to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958. Today, Winston is regarded as the “King of Diamonds” and the “Jeweler to the Stars” as one of the first to recognize the branding power of lending glitzy earrings, necklaces and other fine jewelry for red-carpet events.
Winston’s father had immigrated to New York from Ukraine and ran a small jewelry shop where a young Harry learned about precious stones, enough, the story goes, to identify a real emerald in a heap of pawnshop jewelry at the age of 12. His early success involved turning that eye to estate sale collections that he transformed by freeing gemstones from dated ornamentation, giving them new cuts and modern settings. He opened Harry Winston Inc. in 1932, where he influenced 20th-century-jewelry trends by always elevating the stones rather than adding the lavish decorations that had pervaded jewelry in the 19th century.
The first of the celebrated diamonds to be purchased by Winston was the 726-carat uncut Jonker, acquired in 1935. Many others followed, including the 726.60-carat Vargas from Brazil which, in 1938, he tracked down across multiple continents after he read a brief newspaper notice about its discovery. The rarity and beauty of the gemstones he pursued and presented in his boutiques made the Winston brand synonymous with excellence.
Winston was also a pioneer of marketing as the first jeweler to dress an Academy Awards nominee when he loaned some diamond jewelry to Jennifer Jones for the 1944 Oscar ceremony. Winston was renowned for his eye for the finest of gemstones and the ability to design pieces in order to best flaunt their natural dazzle. He regularly showed off his collection in touring exhibitions, such as the 1949 “Court of Jewels,” which featured the Hope diamond. His storied past and long legacy is continued by the House of Harry Winston and its salons in Japan, the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
On 1stDibs, find a stunning collection of Harry Winston jewelry that includes bracelets, wedding rings, engagement rings and other accessories.
Harry Winston 10.43ct Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Ring Platinum
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Carat Weight: Sapphire 10.43 ct., 2.50 cts. diamonds Color/Clarity: Ceylon No Heat Sapphire Certifications: SSEF & Gubelin Size: 5.25 Creator: Signed HW and Jacques Timey (as mar...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
3.09 Carat Royal Blue Oval Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Cluster Ring, 1984
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous vintage cluster ring is set with a royal blue oval sapphire weighing 3.09ct mounted in an eight claw, open back setting. The gemstone is perfectly set in the centre of ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Diana M. Platinum sapphire diamond Princess Diana ring featuring a 6.00 ct
By Diana M. Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Platinum sapphire diamond Princess Diana ring featuring a 6.00 ct cushion cut sapphire (C.Dunaigre certified) surrounded by 3.02 cts tw of diamonds in a flower design. Diana M. is a ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
9.97 Carat Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Halo Platinum Ring, GIA Certified
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An exquisite oval-cut blue sapphire, weighing an impressive 9.97 carats, is the focal point of this contemporary ring. The sapphire's rich vivid blue color is striking and captivatin...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
$68,000Sale Price|20% Off
Exceptional 4.63 Carat Unheated Madagascar Blue Sapphire Diamond Cluster Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
An exceptional statement ring featuring a magnificent 4.636 carat natural blue sapphire from Madagascar, surrounded by an impressive floral cluster of brilliant white diamonds. The ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Van Cleef & Arpels 8.45 Carat Kashmir Sapphire Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New Orleans, LA
Among the most coveted gemstones in the world, Kashmir sapphires represent the height of rarity and beauty, and this extraordinary Van Cleef & Arpels ring displays one of the fin...
Sapphire
Vintage 4.80 Carat Sapphire and 1 Carat Diamond White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning 4.80 carat Ceylon sapphire and 1 carat diamond , 9 karat white gold cluster style cocktail ring; part of our diverse vintage jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive vintage sapphire and diamond ring has been crafted in 9k white gold. The pierced decorated ring setting is ornamented with a 4.80 ct oval faceted cut Ceylon sapphire, claw set in relief to the centre of the cluster arrangement. The central sapphire is encircled by eighteen individually claw set eight-cut diamonds. The cluster arrangement is further ornamented with fourteen leaf shaped settings in a swirl design, each accented with a further eight-cut diamond, completing the design. The multi-stranded ring shoulders integrates with the main setting and blend to the plain ring shank. This oval sapphire ring with diamonds...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Important 17 Carat GIA Certified Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Bethesda, MD
An impressive oval Ceylon sapphire weighing 17.18 carats surrounded by 12 fine brilliant diamonds weighing 4.25. The sapphire a boasts a rich blue fully saturated color. The sapphire...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
10.59 Carat Ceylon Sapphire and 5.00 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with a GIA certified, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) origin, Non-heat treated, Oval cut, Sapphire weighing 10.59 carats, GIA #5192212647. The ring features a cluster o...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
GIA Certified 3.93 Carat Sapphire Diamond Halo Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
1950's Royal blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring. GIA certified oval 3.93ct center Sapphire set in platinum with a marquise diamond hal...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
