From space to Earth: Follow a diamond’s journey at De Beers’ Frieze Masters installation

Posted on by Rachael Taylor

Long before a natural diamond becomes a jewel – or even takes shape deep within the Earth – its story begins among the stars. This October, De Beers will invite visitors to discover that hidden world through an immersive installation at Frieze Masters in London, as part of its autumn cultural programme.

Voyage Through the Diamond Realm, Chapter II: On the Birth of a Diamond will unfold across three rooms at Frieze Masters, held in Regent’s Park from 14 to 18 October. Bringing together art, geology, film and sound, the experience follows carbon as it transforms into a natural diamond, while also celebrating the craftspeople and creative traditions of Botswana, where many of De Beers’ natural diamonds are mined.

The installation begins with a five-metre handwoven tapestry by Shifron Mercury Studio, the Paris-based practice founded by artist-designers Goni Shifron and Gabrielle Laurin Mercury. Created using natural fibres from Botswana’s Okavango Delta, its richly layered surface evokes the geological depths in which natural diamonds form. Ceramic fragments inspired by the irregular contours of rough diamonds are woven into the work, alongside ostrich-eggshell beads.

The tapestry will be shown alongside 47 amulets commissioned by Botswana’s Mabeo Studio. The studio collaborated with 41 basket weavers, potters and wood carvers from across the country on the amulets, which were handcrafted from local materials and set with De Beers natural diamonds.

The making of the five-metre handwoven tapestry by Shifron Mercury Studio
The making of the five-metre handwoven tapestry by Shifron Mercury Studio. (Shifron Mercury Studio)

Born in the stars, formed in the Earth

In the installation’s second room moving image, narration and an enveloping soundscape will tell the story of carbon travelling from its earliest iteration within ancient stars (carbon atoms were created inside stars and dispersed into space when those stars died) to beneath the Earth’s surface, where extreme heat and pressure worked to transform them to the coveted diamonds they are today. The film is narrated by actors Lucian Msamati and Kristin Winters, with voices and original work by artists including Mumsy Themba and Ecka Mordecai.

The installation is the second chapter in De Beers’ ongoing Voyage Through the Diamond Realm series. Its first Frieze Masters presentation in 2025 explored the myths and legends that natural diamonds have inspired across different cultures, and later travelled to Mumbai and New York.

The 2026 installation forms part of De Beers’ autumn cultural programme, which also included a partnership with Homo Faber in Venice this September. At Homo Faber, a biennial exhibition of contemporary craftsmanship held at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice, De Beers supported artists Abongile Sidzumo and Shakunona Parata in celebrating Southern African craft traditions through live leatherworking and basket-weaving demonstrations using locally sourced materials.

Botswanan artist Shakunona Parata (right) practises a centuries-old basketry craft, which De Beers showcased at Homo Faber
Botswanan artist Shakunona Parata (right) practises a centuries-old basketry craft, which De Beers showcased at Homo Faber. (De Beers Group)

Voyage Through the Diamond Realm, Chapter II: On the Birth of a Diamond will be open to visitors at Frieze Masters in Regent’s Park, London, from 14 to 18 October 2026.

Jewellery houses are building a parallel New York Fashion Week

Posted on by Rachael Taylor

Jewellery was unusually visible during the latest edition of New York Fashion Week (NYFW), which closed yesterday. Although many of its most significant appearances took place beyond the formal schedule.

Boucheron launched new designs in Central Park, Bulgari turned the High Line into a public Serpenti experience and Chopard used the week to celebrate 50 years of Happy Diamonds. Jewellery was also integrated directly into runway shows through brands including Sabyasachi, Kendra Scott and Taffin.

This season’s activations suggest that global jewellery houses increasingly view NYFW as an opportunity to become part of the wider fashion conversation, and as another key moment to connect with media, celebrities, stylists, creators and luxury consumers.

Boucheron hosted a dinner in Central Park during New York Fashion Week to launch new Lierre de Paris designs.
Boucheron hosted a dinner in Central Park during New York Fashion Week to launch new Lierre de Paris designs.

Private events and public installations

Bulgari created the most consumer-facing jewellery activation of the week with auruBOROS, a 10-metre golden structure installed next to the High Line. Designed by Berlin art and architecture duo Plastique Fantastique, the work formed part of Bulgari’s international Serpenti Infinito project and marked the house’s first public installation in the US. Its location made the brand visible to a much broader audience than a traditional invitation-only launch, while an associated event attracted guests including Anne Hathaway, Lalisa Manobal and Dua Lipa.

Boucheron took a more intimate approach, hosting a dinner at Central Park’s Conservatory Garden to introduce new Lierre de Paris jewellery. The diamond-set ivy designs reference the plants growing around the Palais Royal arcades where Frédéric Boucheron opened his first boutique in 1858. Presenting the collection in Central Park connected its design story to a recognisable New York setting, while guests including Colman Domingo, Leslie Bibb and Lisa Rinna supplied the celebrity imagery expected during NYFW.

Both events were geographically and creatively rooted in New York, rather than simply transplanting European launch formats to the city.

Bulgari's auruBOROS installation on the High Line during New York Fashion Week in September 2026
Bulgari’s auruBOROS installation at the High Line during New York Fashion Week in September 2026. (Bulgari)

Chopard turns anniversary into fashion moment

Chopard timed the launch of its latest Happy Diamonds campaign to coincide with NYFW, using models Bella Hadid and Liu Wen to mark the collection’s 50th anniversary.

The campaign revisits archive designs including the Happy Sport The First watch and Happy Diamonds pendants, placing a heritage story within the personalities and visual language of contemporary fashion.

Chopard also hosted an event in New York with Hadid and Wen. The timing gave the campaign access to NYFW’s heightened concentration of press and social-media attention, while reinforcing Happy Diamonds as a recognisable design franchise rather than simply an anniversary product release.

Chopard announced Liu Wen as its ambassador during NYFW.
Chopard announced Liu Wen as its ambassador during NYFW. (Chopard)

Jewellery on the runway

Sabyasachi made jewellery central to its return to New York Fashion Week after two decades away. The Indian luxury house used its runway presentation to unveil the first high jewellery collection from its multi-year partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is inspired by Byzantine art and the cultures connected to it through trade.

Taffin reached the runway through a collaboration with Carolina Herrera, created to mark the fashion house’s 45th anniversary. Jeweller James de Givenchy, who launched Taffin in New York in 1996, designed pieces responding to Carolina Herrera’s spring 2027 collection and its history. These included floral earrings, textured gold designs and a ceramic-and-gold ring inspired by Carolina Herrera’s signature red lipstick.

The partnership gave Taffin access to the scale and imagery of a major runway presentation, while offering Carolina Herrera the rarity and craftsmanship associated with an independent high jeweller.

Runway looks at the Sabyasachi NYFW show, which mixed multi-seasonal fashion with high jewellery
Runway looks at the Sabyasachi NYFW show, which mixed multi-seasonal fashion with high jewellery. (Sabyasachi)

Why NYFW works for jewellery

The appeal lies partly in concentration. Brands can reach fashion editors, stylists, celebrities, international buyers and high-value clients in the same city over a relatively short period.

Fashion Weeks also provide cultural context. Jewellery shown only through a boutique appointment or product image can be difficult to communicate at scale. A runway collaboration demonstrates how it moves on the body; a public artwork turns luxury brands into accessible experiences.

There is no requirement for a jewellery house to join the official calendar. By building around NYFW rather than formally participating in it, brands can select the format, audience and timing that best serve the launch. The activations remain separate, with no shared platform or coordinated programme.

Paris has developed a similar ecosystem, with jewellery presentations, trade shows and private appointments gathering around its Fashion Weeks. The next edition will run from September 28 to October 6, and will coincide with dedicated jewellery trade shows including Melee, GoldRush and NouvelleBox.

New York’s version currently feels more consumer-facing, driven by public art, celebrity campaigns, cultural partnerships and runway collaborations. For global jewellery houses, that distinction may be precisely the point. NYFW offers not only access to the fashion industry, but a stage on which jewellery can operate as entertainment, culture and consumer experience.

Rare brooch owned by Queen Elizabeth II’s Lady in Waiting goes to auction

Posted on by Kim Parker

A rare unicorn brooch by renowned jewellery designer Fulco di Verdura, and once owned by Queen Elizabeth II’s Lady in Waiting, the Dowager Countess of Airlie, will be sold at Elmwood’s. Get all the details below.

Read More: See the diamond tiara once owned by Lady Glenconner that sold at Bonhams in London

A sparkling unicorn brooch once owned by Queen Elizabeth II’s longest-serving Lady in Waiting will be auctioned later this month in London, estimated at £20,000 to £30,000.

The jewel belonged to Virginia Ogilvy, Dowager Countess of Airlie, who served HM Queen Elizabeth II as a Lady of the Bedchamger for almost 50 years, from 1973 until the Queen’s death in 2022, and accompanied the monarch on many royal tours and major occasions.

She was also the first American-born Lady of the Bedchamber and received a DBE for her services to the Royal Household in 1995.

Born Virginia Fortune Ryan in 1933, she was the granddaughter of the German-American investment banker and Gilded Age philanthropist Otto Khan, who was a prominent member of New York society and renowned patron of the arts. As his descendant, Virginia lived a life of extraordinary wealth and glamour.

She spent her childhood between New York city and the family home in Newport, Rhode Island, and was educated at Brearley School in Manhattan (the distinguished Alma Mater of the likes of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and Caroline Kennedy).

Virginia Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie, was lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for almost 50 years
Lady of the Bedchamber Virginia Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie, and was the first American-born Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II – CREDIT: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Every year, Virginia’s mother brought her to London, which is where at the age of 16 she met David Ogilvy at a dance at the Savoy Hotel. They were engaged three years later and married at St. Margaret’s in Westminster in October 1952. The ceremony was attended by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.

When David Ogilvy became the 13th Earl of Airlie in 1968, Virginia became the Countess of Airlie, and was part of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s social circle. She was appointed a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth in 1973, becoming the first American to hold the position, and remained one of the monarch’s most senior ladies-in-waiting until the Queen’s death in 2022.

Unicorn brooch by Fulco di Verdura BROOCH OWNED BY QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S LADY IN WAITING - THE DOWAGER COUNTESS OF AIRLIE - HEADS TO AUCTION - CREDIT: Elmwoods
The diamond and turquoise-set unicorn brooch by Fulco di Verdura was one of Virgina’s Ogilvy’s favourite pieces – CREDIT: Elmwoods

According to auction house Elmwood’s, the unicorn brooch was “a firm favourite” of Virginia’s. The Dowager Countess was beyond simply being a client of the legendary jeweller Duke Fulco di Verdura. Her mother, Margaret Kahn, and aunt, Maud Kahn, were both friends with the designer, and Virginia herself became one of the very few people allowed to visit his studio and watch him work.

One of the most celebrated jewellery designers of the 20th century, Verdura crafted unconventional, statement-making pieces for members of European Royalty and American society alike, and worked closely with Coco Chanel in Paris during the 1920s.

The unicorn was a recurring motif throughout much of Verdura’s work, and Virginia’s brooch features the magical animal’s head emerging from a circular cabochon turquoise crown. The piece is also adorned with a diamond fringe and diamond-set horn, and the beast holds a brilliant-cut diamond flower in its mouth.

“This is an exceptional Verdura jewel, but what makes it particularly fascinating is the very personal story behind it. Virginia Ogilvy was not simply the owner of a Verdura piece, she had a genuine connection with Fulco di Verdura that stretched back to her childhood. The fact that Virginia was one of the very few people permitted to visit Verdura’s studio and watch him work, gives this jewel an extraordinary personal link,” says Joe Kendrick, Head of Sale at Elmwood’s Auctioneers.

“The unicorn itself is wonderfully characteristic of Verdura’s imagination. It is playful, sculptural and fantastical, yet executed with the sophistication and craftsmanship for which he was renowned,” he adds. “We are delighted to be bringing it to auction and we believe it will attract considerable interest from collectors of Verdura, important jewellery and pieces with significant royal and aristocratic provenance.”

The brooch will go on sale at Elmwood’s on August 19th 2026, with an estimate of between £20,000 – £30,000.

Like this? See the affordable jewellery that Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wore to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

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This is the amazing jewellery exhibition you need to visit during Edinburgh Fringe 2026

Posted on by Kim Parker

Love jewellery that’s full of character? Check out this special exhibition of 11 contemporary jewellers at Ætla Studio during the Edinburgh Fringe. Get all the details below.

Read More: Check out the affordable jewels worn by the Duchess of Edinburgh to the Commonwealth Games

In between the stand-up routines, one-man shows, and boundary-pushing theatre, an exciting new exhibition of jewellery artists promises to delight visitors to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year.

Curated by luxury editor Kate Matthams, ‘Terrane’ is opening at the renowned Ætla gallery during the festival and brings together 11 contemporary designers “whose work explores the relationship between jewellery, landscape and place.”

Diamond earrings by Megan Brown which will be on display at the Edinburgh Fringe
Diamond Earrings by Megan Brown, just one of the extraordinary jewels that will be shown at Ætla during Edinburgh Fringe – CREDIT: Megan Brown

Rather than depicting specific scenes or landscapes in a literal sense, the exhibition revolves around jewels that have been informed by a sense of place in quieter, more subtle ways. Through their forms and materiality, the works of wearable art on display examine everything from geology and architecture to memory, personal history and a wider cultural identity.

“Beirut has always been my greatest source of inspiration. It is the city that shaped me, and My Muse is a reflection of the places, memories and details I return to time and again,” says participating jeweller, Nada Ghazal, of the collection of pieces she has submitted. “[This] isn’t about recreating Beirut exactly. It’s about holding onto the places and details that have shaped my relationship with the city, and translating those memories into pieces that carry a sense of place with them.”

Gold bangles by Nada Ghazal
Gold bangles by Nada Ghazal – CREDIT: Nada Ghazal



Meanwhile, Ukranian-born designer Inesa Kovalova, who is now based in Germany, is exhibiting her ‘Memoir’ brooch in titanium, 18K palladium and white gold and rose gold, which features a central topaz of about 29 carats.

The piece, she says, is “inspired by the transformation of topaz under sunlight, where colour fades as a metaphor for healing. Each inclusion within the gemstone tells the story of a journey, marking both imperfections and growth. The piece evokes a deep sense of longing for home, turning the brooch into a tactile object that feels like a smooth pebble – precious, personal, and rooted in memory. As the topaz’s colour shifts, the brooch becomes a symbol of both transformation and the fleeting purity of moments captured in time.” 

Rings by LOLA FENHIRST on display at Edinburgh Fringe
Rings by Lola Oladunjoye which will be on show at Ætla during Edinburgh Fringe – CREDIT: Lola Oladunjoye




Elsewhere, a set of beaded stacking rings by Nigerian-British designer Lola Oladunjoye, who is now based in Paris, reference the Kofar Mata dye pits in northern Nigeria, established in the 16th century to produce indigo cloth created for the Tuareg people – known as the ‘blue men’ of the desert.

Across West Africa, indigo is a colour of protection, and Oladunjoye has carefully matched aluminium to the deep indigo of lapis lazuli of the rings. Ringed with yellow diamonds, her ‘Indigo Pit’ cocktail ring feels like “a reimagined talisman for contemporary nomads,” she explains.

Other participating designers include Alice Cicolini, Castro Smith, Ellis Mhairi Cameron, Emefa Cole, Melanie Georgacopoulos, Ruth Tomlinson, Sarah Madeleine Bru and Megan Brown.

Rich in craftmanship and textural details, the pieces showcased at ‘Terrane’ are designed to intrigue and inspire, full of hidden meaning and personal stories that demand close attention. Be prepared to linger.

‘Terrane’ runs from 7 – 31 August 2026 at Ætla (17 St. Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AN).

Get more details: Edfringe.com

Like this? Discover Vacheron Constantin’s ‘Explore All Ways Possible’ exhibition in London

And get all the details on the upcoming Vivienne Westwood jewellery exhibition at the V&A Dundee

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Ahead of the 140th anniversary of her birth, Gladys Vanderbilt’s Cartier tiara is being celebrated

Posted on by Kim Parker

In the run up to the 140th anniversary of the birth of American heiress Gladys Vanderbilt, take a closer look at her magnificent diamond Cartier tiara, which sold last year at auction. Get all the details below.

Read More: To mark her 94th birthday on 16th July, take a closer look at Lady Glenconner’s spectacular diamond tiara

In 1908, Gladys Vanderbilt (the elegant cousin of Consuelo Vanderbilt, who married the British Duke of Marlborough) wed the Hungarian Count László Széchényi in a high-profile event at the Vanderbilt mansion in New York.

The crowd of onlookers, reporters and photographers who gathered to steal a glance at the bride and her dashing groom grew so large, the police had to be called out, and a decoy horse-drawn carriage was deployed to divert the crowd’s attention as the newlywed couple were spirited away from the celebration in a limousine.

Portrait of Gladys Vanderbilt, Countess Szechenyi by Philip de Lazlo, 1921 - CREDIT: Phillips
Portrait of Gladys Vanderbilt, Countess Szechenyi by Philip de Lazlo, 1921 – CREDIT: Phillips

Born into the renowned and influential Vanderbilt family on August 27th, 1886, Gladys was the seventh and youngest child of wealthy businessman Cornelius Vanderbilt II and Alice Claypool Gwynne. As befits such a high-profile socialite and heiress, the wedding gifts from her relatives included a treasure trove of extravagant jewels, including diamond chains, ropes of pearls, rings and pendants.

Her mother Alice presented her with one of the most magnificent Gilded Age gifts of all: an opulent Cartier tiara set with interchangeable pear-cut amethysts and diamonds and sprays of diamond lily motifs which could also be detached and worn as brooches. Gladys Vanderbilt notably wore the headpiece to the Coronation of Emperor Charles and Empress Zita of Austria in 1916.

The tiara was later dismantled but one of its floral brooches – alongside 11 other luxurious Vanderbilt jewels – sold for CHF 451,500 ($564,664), over five times its low pre-sale estimate of CHF 80,000 ($100,000) at Phillips auction house in November 2025.

The diamond Cartier tiara given by Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt to her daughter Alice Vanderbilt
The diamond Cartier tiara given by Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt to her daughter Alice Vanderbilt – CREDIT: Phillips

The spectacular sale was led by ‘The Vanderbilt Sapphire’, a sugarloaf Kashmir sapphire and diamond brooch weighing over 42 carats, mounted by Tiffany & Co, which had a pre-sale estimate of CHF 800,000 – 1,200,000 ($1 million – 1.5 million).

Also a wedding gift from Alice, the piece boasts a delicate openwork design embellished with old-cut diamonds and represents the pinnacle of Belle Époque refinement, embodying the era’s supreme artistic and social ambitions. It ended up selling for CHF 2,876,000 ($3,570,841).

The entire sale ended up netting CHF $3.4 million ($4.2 million) by the time the final gavel came down.

Like this? Read more about the Phillips auction of the Vanderbilt family jewellery

And take a look at the archival 1990s spider brooch worn by Zendaya to the Shanghai premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day

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Naomi Osaka’s incredible Wimbledon pearls were a tribute to her Japanese heritage

Posted on by Kim Parker

Tennis star Naomi Osaka wowed onlookers at Wimbledon this week with a stunning walk-on look inspired by traditional Japanese ceremonial dress, accessorised with pearl jewellery from Mikimoto. Read all about it below.

Read More: Check out the affordable lapis lazuli earrings Catherine, Princess of Wales wore to Wimbledon

Every summer, the stylish tennis champions that head to the All England Club in Wimbledon face a sartorial dilemma – what can you possibly wear that’s new, when there’s a strict all-white dress code?

This year, Naomi Osaka – who has become renowned for her fabulous on-court outfits – answered that question with an incredible, snow-white ensemble inspired by a traditional Japanese kimono. The custom look, which was created with the Tokyo-based fashion designer Hana Yagi, featured delicate white-on-white embroidery and showcased national Japanese symbols such as cranes and cherry blossoms, plus a dramatic obi belt, floral hairpiece, and a giant bow that trailed behind her.

Naomi Osaka in a Japanese-inspired look at Wimbledon 2026 adorned with Mikimoto jewels
Naomi Osaka in a Japanese-inspired look at Wimbledon 2026 adorned with Mikimoto jewels – CREDIT: Getty Images

Her opening match look, Osaka explained, was partly inspired by the kimono worn by Lucy Liu’s character in Kill Bill, O-Ren Ishii, and served as a nod to her Japanese heritage.

“When I think about Wimbledon, it’s obviously the all white. There’s obviously the tradition of it all,” Osaka told the BBC, following her 6-1 7-5 victory over French player Elsa Jacquemot. “In my head, when I think about that, I think about my cultures, my heritage, which is Japanese and Haitian.”

“Then, if I dive deeper into Japanese culture, I think about the most iconic silhouette, which for me is a kimono. You don’t have to see the colour of a kimono to know that it is a kimono.”

Naomi Osaka in a Japanese-inspired look at Wimbledon 2026 adorned with Mikimoto jewels
Naomi Osaka claimed her flowing, all-white ensemble was a loving tribute to her national heritage, as well as the character played by Lucy Liu in Kill Bill – CREDIT: Getty Images

“I don’t know, I was thinking about my favourite movies also. I love Kill Bill. I remembered absolutely falling in love with Lucy Liu’s character.

“She has an all-white kimono, and I remember thinking that was really cool. Then it just kind of went from there. It was like my interpretation of that, while also paying a lot of respect and love to Japan.”

Japan’s four-time major winner completed her look with shimmering pearl and diamond earrings and bracelets from Japanese heritage jeweller Mikimoto (which recently signed the Oscar winning actor Michelle Yeoh as its latest global ambassador).

Like Osaka herself, Mikimoto’s eponymous founder Kokichi Mikimoto was an industry trailblazer.

He originally established the company as an oyster farm in 1888, and was the first person to successfully cultivate a semi-spherical pearl in 1893, for which Mikimoto received a patent in 1896.

Naomi Osaka in a Japanese-inspired look at Wimbledon 2026 adorned with Mikimoto jewels
Close up of Naomi Osaka’s diamond and pearl Mikimoto earrings at Wimbledon. Like Osaka herself, Mikimoto was a trailblazer – CREDIT: Getty Images

This was followed by the arrival of the first spherical cultured pearl in 1905, and the opening of Mikimoto’s debut international boutique in London in 1913. The company’s pearls gained a worldwide reputation for excellence, embellished by appearances at events like the 1926 World Exposition in Philadelphia, and by its dazzling, Art Deco-infused designs (later worn by the likes of Princess Margaret).

Today, the company’s shimmering creations are admired by celebrities such Cynthia Erivo, Rihanna, Harry Styles and A$AP Rocky. Emma Raducanu, who sadly pulled out of this year’s Wimbledon championship, even wore Mikimoto’s pearl pieces for Wimbledon back in 2024.

“I feel like everyone has their own way of showing that they’re into fashion,” Osaka later said, of her runway-ready look. “I’m always really surprised whenever I go to the locker room, I get a lot of questions about it. It seems to be fun for everyone. You just wouldn’t expect it.”

Like this? Check out the best watches spotted so far at Wimbledon 2026

And: Get a closer look at David Beckham’s stylish Tudor Black Bay 58 at Wimbledon

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The jewels of ‘Outlander’ are coming to auction

Posted on by Kim Parker

With Outlander coming to a close after eight dramatic series, the jewels and costumes from the hit TV show will be auctioned at Bonhams. Get all the details on the pieces below.

Read More: Something About Rocks cover star Harriet Slater on joining the Outlander franchise, Blood of My Blood.

“Sing me a song of a lass that is gone…”

After gripping audiences worldwide for over ten years, the cast of the hit STARZ TV series Outlander have finally hung up their kilts for the final time.

Based on Diana Galbadon’s bestselling novels, Outlander followed the adventures of a British World War II nurse, Claire Beauchamp (later Claire Fraser) who, on reuniting with her husband in Scotland in 1945, touches a mysterious stone circle and travels back in time to the 18th century, where she falls in love with a mysterious Highland warrior, Jamie Fraser.

Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe attend the Starz "Outlander" season 8 premiere at Alice Tully Hall on March 02, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Caitríona Balfe (Claire Fraser) at the Starz ‘Outlander’ Season 8 premiere in March – CREDIT: Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Played by Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan, Claire and Jamie captivated fans around the globe with their enduring (and often steamy) romance, which saw them travel from the windswept Scottish Highlands to Paris, and later to the Caribbean and colonial North Carolina.

Claires three wedding rings Various Seasons and Episodes 3 Outlander The Auction 5 August 2026 London New Bond Street, Estimate 800-1200
Claire’s three wedding rings, which featured in various seasons of Outlander. The lot carries an estimate of £800 – 1200 – CREDIT: Bonhams

Now, the jewels and costumes of the show will be offered for sale at Bonhams, with a live auction in London on 5th August 2026, and an online auction running until 6th August 2026. A proportion of the sale’s proceeds will be donated to charity by Sony Picture Television, which produces the show.

Entitled Outlander: The Auction, the sale will be preceded by special exhibition of its fabulous pieces at Bonhams’ New Bond Street headquarters, which will be free and open to the public from 20th July to 4th August 2026. The company has previously handled the blockbuster sales of jewels, costumes and props seen in The Crown and Downton Abbey, and attracted plenty of attention from fans of both binge-worthy dramas.

he Beltane Dress', worn by Geillis Season 1, Episode 4, 'The Gathering' 6 Outlander_ The Auction 5 August 2026, 14_00 BST London, New Bond Street £800 - £1,200
Remember seeing this? Part of a lot with ‘the Beltane Dress’, worn by Geillis Season 1, Episode 4 of Outlander, which carries an estimate of £800 – £1,200 – CREDIT: Bonhams

Highlights of the tartan-strewn event include Claire Fraser’s trio of wedding rings: the golden ring from her first husband, Frank Beauchamp, and a silvery ring for her second marriage to Jamie Fraser, which he had made from the key to his ancestral home, Lallybroch as a gesture of love. Later, Claire received a third ring, a silver band engraved with thistles and the line  ‘Da mi basia mille’, which translates as ‘Give me a thousand kisses’ and is taken from a poem he recited to her on their honeymoon.

Another iconic costume jewel, the ‘Otter-Tooth’s Opal’, is worn by Claire Fraser on a brown cord in Season 4 of Outlander. In Outlander lore, it was a large blue opal gemstone originally worn by another time traveller, a Mohawk named Ta’wineonawira or ‘Otter-Tooth’ (AKA Robert Springer) who travels from 1960s to the 18th century. Claire later finds the pendant and wears it herself, benefitting from its protective powers.

Fish pendant necklace, worn by Claire Season 3, Episode 12, 'The Bakra' Outlander_ The Auction Online Ending from 6 August 2026, 12_00 BST Online, London, New Bond Street Estimate £100 - £200
A pearly coloured fish pendant necklace, worn by Claire in season 3 of Outlander. This lot carries an estimate £100 – £200 – CREDIT: Bonhams

Other pieces include a choker-style pearl necklace with a diamanté pendant shaped like a fish, which was worn by Claire in Season 3 of the series, and a necklace with an oval-shaped ‘ruby’ pendant and matching gold-toned earrings worn by Claire in Season 4, and a pearl-encrusted ‘Lover’s Eye’ brooch and matching earrings worn by Geillis (part of a lot with her ‘Beltane Dress’) in Season 1.

“When it comes to historical fantasy, Outlander is unmatched in its power of escapism, drama, and romance. For more than a decade, the show has captivated audiences, and we are delighted to bring some of the incredible costumes and props to auction,” says Madeleine Cater, head of sale at Bonhams. “Fans will be able to see the amazing craftsmanship and attention to detail that have gone into creating the world Outlander up close. Bonhams is proud to bring yet another landmark series to auction – and much like the final series itself, Outlander: The Auction is not to be missed.”

Like this? Take a closer look at the glittering jewels from Downton Abbey that were sold at auction

Or, see the extremely rare Paul Newman Rolex watches which sold for over $1 million each at auction

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The biggest jewellery trends from the Couture Show in Las Vegas

Posted on by Kim Parker

All the biggest jewellery trends worth knowing about right now, direct from the Couture Show in Las Vegas (AKA ‘the Superbowl of the Jewellery World’). Discover them all below.

Read More: What Las Vegas revealed about the future of jewellery

Each year, the Couture Show in Las Vegas brings together a huge array of independent makers, family-owned brands, new designers and established companies together under the roof at the (frankly enormous) Wynn Hotel. It’s where retailers come to shop for the jewels that will adorn their clients in the future, where makers come to show off their latest wares to buyers from all over the world and where lucky press (including us) get a sense of what’s going to be hot in the year ahead.

2026’s edition was no different, with every jeweller showcasing their own response to the ongoing demand for personal, story-telling jewels and the rising costs of precious metals that have rocked the industry over the past 12 months.

Here are the trends we’ve identified that will be on everyone’s lips (and hands, ears, wrists and necks) before we know it.

Movement is everywhere

Twisting, flipping, and dangling elements were seen all over Couture this year, as jewellers offer up precious and entirely grown-up interpretations of fidget spinners. Twirling capsules, tiny lockets that click open and shut, hinged jewels and gem-set fringes adorning all manner of accessories add a pleasingly tactile quality to pieces that can provide a moment of calm, meditative relief and a sense of fun at the same time.

Beads (and tassels) are back

Bold and colourful gemstones are everywhere once again, and none more so than fabulous beaded iterations. Described by one designer as “a means to wear precious stones, but in an everyday, less bling-y way”, these playful, candy-coloured creations are akin to dopamine dressing – just in an elevated form.

Alternatives to gold

Jade Trau Leather Collar necklace
One of the biggest jewellery trends right now? Combining gold with other materials. Collar necklace with leather cord, gold and diamonds by Jade Trau – CREDIT: Jade Trau

Where once designers might have opted for gold chains, leather cords, nylon threads and sleek silver links now adorn designs as the price of gold continues to skyrocket. As the precious metal becomes less and less affordable to makers (and therefore buyers), ingenuity and creativity are being deployed to keep things on the right side of attractive and affordable. That isn’t to say creatives are getting cheaper – softly luxurious leather, polished platinum and even strings of pearls now add an extra dimension to their latest jewels, whilst gold itself is being treated like a precious gemstone in many designs. To quote the founders of OX.NY: “gold is the new diamonds”.

Romantic moonstones and joyful turquoise

Soft, glowing moonstones added a romantic edge to many of Couture’s most covetable designs this year, while the fascination for brightly-hued turquoise that adds a shot of summer cheer to any look shows no sign of slowing down.

Multipurpose and transformable pieces

At a time when every jewel is a carefully considered investment, bracelets that can be linked together to form necklaces, rings that can be worn across multiple fingers and earrings that double up as cufflinks or brooches offer wearers far more styling bang for their buck. French designer Marie Mas, for example, showcased ear climbers with removable gem-set studs, which also doubled as lapel pins.

In addition, a need for jewellers to “transform clients into collectors” means a whole new wave of fabulously fun, collectible jewels is heading to stores soon. Think tiny flowerpot necklaces with interchangeable bejewelled flower stalks, little fairy-shaped pendants with their own minute lantern or watering can accessories (as seen at Hargreaves Stockholm), and a plethora of customisable charms that will have us adding, customising, mixing and matching for months (and years) to come.

Desert diamonds are still having an impact

De Beers’ campaign to re-brand earthy, off-white diamonds in hues from palest champagne to deep orangey-brown as ‘desert diamonds‘ has been hugely successful in the design space, with creatives adding them to deliver their flattering warmth and soulful appearance in a wide range of pieces, from engagement rings to bangles and huggies. In an age of lab-grown and AI, these firmly natural, so-called ‘imperfect’ specimens feel more alluring than ever. One of those jewellery trends that’s set to run and run.

Like this? See how contemporary jewellers are finding new ways to channel their creativity in an era of record gold prices

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De Beers and Sotheby’s unveil 28.88 carat Jwaneng diamond to be auctioned in April

Posted on by Kim Parker

By Kim Parker

The Jwaneng 28.88, a flawless 28.88 carat diamond from Botswana will be the star of Sotheby’s Luxury Sales auction in Hong Kong this April. Read more about it below.

Read More: Audrey Hepburn’s Bvlgari brooch sells for $425,000 at Paris auction

There was a double celebration in London last week as De Beers took over Maison Assouline in London to host a star-studded party to launch its own landmark book, A Diamond Is Forever: The Making of a Cultural Icon 1926 – 2026, celebrating 100 years of storytelling and the significance of diamonds in art and the cultural world.

The 28.88 carat Jwaneng Diamond will be auctioned by De Beers and Sotheby's in Hong Kong
The 28.88 carat Jwaneng Diamond, pictured here top left, will be auctioned by De Beers and Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, alongside other astonishing jewels: CREDIT – De Beers

At the same time, the diamond specialist unveiled the Jwaneng 28.88, a magnificent, internally flawless 28.88-carat white diamond which will be auctioned as part of Sotheby’s Luxury Sales event in Hong Kong on the 23rd April.

Nathalie Emmanuel
Nathalie Emmanuel in natural yellow and pink diamond jewellery by London jeweller ANANYA at the unveiling of the Jwaneng 28.88 – CREDIT: De Beers

Celebrities such as Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel, Saltburn actor Archie Madekwe, model Poppy Delevigne and Ruby Sear of The Gentlemen all arrived wearing natural diamond jewellery to celebrate both the sparkling new coffee table tome, and the astonishing diamond.

Archie Madekwe in Hirsh London jewellery at the unveiling of the Jwaneng 28.88 diamond from De Beers
Archie Madekwe in Hirsh London jewellery at the unveiling of the Jwaneng 28.88 diamond from De Beers – CREDIT: De Beers

Emmanuel chose a selection of pink and yellow diamond pieces from ANANYA, while Madekwe opted for a solitaire ring set with a fancy intense orange-yellow pear-cut diamond by Hirsh London and Poppy Delevigne styled yellow diamond and plantinum jewels by Boodles with her pale yellow gown.

Poppy Delevigne in Boodles diamond and platinum jewellery
Poppy Delevigne in Boodles diamond and platinum jewellery – CREDIT: De Beers

Revealed as a surprise during the party, the Jwaneng 28.88 hails from the famous Jwaneng Mine in Botwana (whose name translates to ‘place of small stones’ in Setswana). The internally flawless, D-colour stone comes with an estimate of US$2.2 – 2.8 million, and will appear at a live jewellery sale at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, alongside other exceptional diamonds from the same mine. It was cut from a 114.83-carat rough stone after months of study and planning.

“The Jwaneng 28.88 is a perfect emblem of De Beers’ unmatched legacy in diamonds. It’s at once a vanishingly rare feat of nature, combined with a masterclass in diamond cutting and polishing,” say Quig Bruning, Sotheby’s Head of Jewels Americas and EMEA. “Natural diamonds truly are forever and I cannot think of a better stone to symbolise this special collaboration.”

Like this? Read about the diamond-set Fabergé Egg that set a record price at auction

The Princess of Wales wears Asprey jewels to St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Posted on by Kim Parker

The Princess of Wales, Colonel of the Irish Guards, attended the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, England wearing emerald jewels by Asprey. Take a closer look below.

Read More: Discover the significance of Kate Middleton’s shamrock jewellery

Catherine, Princess of Wales, attended a St. Patrick’s Day parade at the Mons Barracks in Aldershot, England today (17 March).

As Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards – a position the princess has official held since December 2022, when she took over the role from her husband – she usually attends the affair dressed in green, wearing her golden shamrock brooch to fulfil her annual custom of presenting fresh shamrocks to the Irish Guards on parade each St. Patrick’s day.

Princess of Wales at St. Patrick's Day parade
Princess of Wales at St. Patrick’s Day parade: CREDIT: Getty

This year, the Princess accessorised her look with a pair of emerald and diamond earrings by Asprey, a heritage brand that has been crafting luxury goods for the elite since 1781.

Originally founded by William Asprey as a silk printing business, Asprey expanded into making dressing cases, leather trunks, silverware and jewellery for the cream of society. Its ornate creations, such as the gilded dressing case William’s son, Charles Asprey, presented at the Great Exhibition in 1851, catapulted the firm into the esteem of Queen Victoria, who awarded the company’s first royal warrant in 1862. Her son, Edward VII, followed suit in 1889.

The Princess of wales wearing her emerald and diamond Asprey earrings to a St. Patrick's Day parade
The Princess of wales wearing her emerald and diamond Asprey earrings to a St. Patrick’s Day parade – CREDIT: Getty Images

Later known as ‘the Queen’s gift shop’, Asprey has crafted jewels for international royalty since, including Queen Mary, who commissioned a luxurious five-row pearl necklace (later given to Princess Margaret as a birthday gift), and the Maharaja of Patiala. More recently, the company has collaborated with Princess Noura Al Faisal of Saudia Arabia, a designer and entrepreneur who founded her own fine jewellery label, Nuun Jewels, in 2014.

The Princess of Wales’ St. Patrick’s Day parade earrings are from Asprey’s ‘Halo’ collection, created in platinum and set with four emeralds (for a total of 1.27 carats) and 72 diamonds. She has previously worn them to present the Earthshot Prize with Prince William in 2022, when she paired them with Queen Mary’s emerald and diamond choker.

The Princess of Wales' platinum, emerald and diamond earrings from Asprey
The Princess of Wales’ platinum, emerald and diamond earrings from Asprey – CREDIT: Asprey

Once a piece from Princess Diana’s jewellery collection, the emerald-studded collar was first worn by Queen Mary in 1911 and later given to Princess Diana in 1981 as a wedding present.

It’s the latest in a long line of public appearances for which the Princess has opted to accessorise with modern pieces from a British jeweller. She has previously showcased earrings from London designers Robinson Pelham, pearls by Annoushka, sparkling earrings by Emily Mortimer, and topaz-studded drops by Kiki McDonough (who also created statement earrings for Diana, Princess of Wales).

Like this? Check out more of the Princess of Wales’ best jewellery moments.