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: The Ultimate Jeweler (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book tells the story of Harry Winston, who for more than 50 years was the dealer and jeweller who dealt with and designed some of the worlds most wonderful jewels. Over the cour...
The Collection of the Late Mrs Harry Winston (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Sotheby's New York , Tuesday October 20, 1992. A beautiful sale catalogue produced by Sotheby's for the sale of the late Mrs Harry Winston's fabulous collection of jewels in New York...
Cartier Style and History (Book)
By Cartier
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This beautiful book was published to accompany an exhibition held in the Grand Palais in 2013. A very large number of the pieces on display and photographed in the book were loaned by the Cartier Collection and are not generally available to view others were loaned by such as Queen Elizabeth ll. The book traces the history of this great Parisian jewellery house through the second half of the 19th century and the Belle Epoch, through the 20th century when they supplied many European Royal Houses, into the 1920's and 1930's when the Indian Maharaja's were having many of their traditional jewels reset in modern designs, into the 1940's and beyond when very wealthy socialites, great collectors and actresses such as Daisy Fellowes...
Cartier: Jewelers Extraordinary by Hans Nadelhoffer (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book traces the history of the famous jewellery firm, and shows examples of its designs for clocks, watches, necklaces, tiaras, swords, pins, and art objects. Here, for the first time, is the authorized story of this legendary firm, told with the help of never-before-published photographs and working sketches. The author, noted jewel expert Hans Nadelhoffer, was given full access to Cartier's extensive archives. These include photographic plates dating back to the early 1900s and recording each creation in actual size. The personal sketchbooks of the Cartier family and of key designers, as well as the actual jewelry design books...
Gems and Jewels: A Connoisseur's Guide by Benjamin Zucker (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book is a comprehensive survey of the history and uses of the principal types of gems, and provides an insight into their origins, methods and styles of cutting at different tim...
Platinum by Cartier: Triumph of the Jewelers Art (Book)
By Cartier
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
By Franco Cologni and Eric Nussbaum This beautifully photographed and illustrated book is the first survey of Cartier's work in platinum. Platinum is known for its incomparable allur...
Harry Winston Premier Excenter Watch 18 Karat White Gold
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
18k white gold 39mm Harry Winston Premier Excenter watch featuring a manual movement with moonphase, date, timezone and power reserve complicatio...
HARRY WINSTON Premier 18K White Gold & Diamond
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Basic Information - Brand: Harry Winston - Model: Premier - Reference number: 200UCQ32W - Movement: Quartz Complications - Chronograph - Case Size: 32mm - Dial: Mother of Pearl, Dia...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Harry Winston high-end full diamond jewelry watch
By Harry Winston
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Harry Winston high-end full diamond jewelry watch, crafted entirely in platinum with a mother-of-pearl dial.Adopting the brand’s iconic three-dimensional design, hundreds of baguette...
Harry Winston Premier Limited Edition 37mm 18K White Gold Automatic Watch Box
By Harry Winston
Located in Chicago, IL
An exceptional expression of Swiss horology and refined luxury, this Harry Winston Premier Limited Edition wristwatch combines timeless elegance with sophisticated mechanical craftsm...
18k Gold, White Gold
Harry Winston Premier Excenter Retrograde 37mm PREAEX37WW005 White Gold Watch
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in good condition. The watch is fully serviced, polished and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. It shows signs of wear. This Harry Winst...
White Gold
Harry Winston Premier Chronograph Automatic Watch Model 200UCQ32W
By Harry Winston
Located in Chicago, IL
Harry Winston Premier Chronograph Automatic Watch Model 200UCQ32W is an exquisite timepiece known for its luxury and elegance. It features a round mother-of-pearl dial adorned with A...
