Today mark the 130th Anniversary of the Birth of Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, who was born on this day in 1896! The twice-divorced American for whom a King gave up his Throne, the Duchess possessed a massive jewellery collection of sumptuous modern pieces, which included her iconic Cartier Amethyst Necklace!
Van Cleef & Arpels Tiara | Cartier Tiara | Queen Mary’s Pearl Necklace | Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Necklace | Cartier Emerald Necklace | Cartier Amethyst Necklace | Cartier Flamingo Brooch | Cartier Ruby Bangle
In 1947, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor commissioned this striking Amethyst and Turquoise Bib Necklace from Cartier in Paris which is set with 27 emerald-cut amethysts, a large heart-shaped central amethyst, over 100 cabochon turquoises, and brilliant-cut diamonds, many of which were supplied by the Duke and Duchess themselves.
The Duchess had a décolletage-spanning bib necklace created as a special order for her by the maison in 1947, awash with the violet and sky-blue stones in twisted gold and interspersed with diamonds. The Duke had commissioned the piece, supplying his own diamonds and amethysts, but was thankfully convinced by the formidable Jeanne Toussaint that the necklace would benefit from the addition of dozens of turquoise cabochons.
The Duchess of Windsor was notably pictured wearing the Cartier Amethyst and Turquoise Bib Necklace at the Gala à l’Orangerie Ball at the Palace of Versailles in 1953.
A few years later, the Cartier Amethyst Necklace was worn by the Duchess for a Gala in Palm Beach in Florida.
After the Duchess’ death in 1986, the Cartier Amethyst Necklace, together with the rest of her splendid jewellery collection, was sold at auction at Sotheby’s in Geneva in 1987, where the Necklace was purchased by California divorce lawyer Marvin Mitchelson for 865,000 CHF. The proceeds from the sale were donated to Pasteur Institute in Paris.
More recently, the Cartier Amethyst Necklace has been acquired by the Cartier Collection and is one of the Duchess’ most exhibited jewels. We saw it on display in the Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity Exhibit in Dallas in 2022, then the Cartier Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design Exhibit in Abu Dhabi in 2024,
Last year, the Cartier Amethyst Necklace went on display in the Cartier Exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Just a few days ago, we saw the Duchess of Windsor’s Cartier Amethyst and Turquoise Bib Necklace on display again, at the opening of the new Cartier Exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. There is no doubt we will continue to see this Necklace for years to come!
Van Cleef & Arpels Tiara
Cartier Emerald Bead Tiara
Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Necklace 
Queen Mary’s Pearl Necklace
Cartier Emerald Necklace
Cartier Flamingo Brooch
Cartier Amethyst Necklace
Cartier Ruby Bangle
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