francene--blog. Year 2013
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Dec 13th 

12/13/2013

 
Are diamonds forever? Not really. You may receive a lifetime of pleasure from them, but they will remain behind after you're gone.

According to reports on her life and personal letters, the jewelry Wallace Simpson collected over her lifetime didn't bring her happiness. However, they were sold at auction yesterday for record figures.

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Wallace Simpson, aware she wasn't a beautiful woman, boosted her appearance with spectacular jewels. She flirted with the Crown Prince of England amongst many other men. However, when she snaffled Edward V111, she couldn't get him out of her net. He fell hopelessly in love with her, and clung to her along with her lifestyle like a drowning man. After his father's death, he gave up the throne of Great Britain to be with the woman he loved. And she, a divorced woman, found the net closing around her. None of the royals came to their wedding ceremony. I doubt the fabulous jewels auctioned long after her death brought her happiness in life.


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20 pieces owned by the late Duke and Duchess of Windsor went under the hammer at Sotheby's in central London last night, raising a total of £7,975,550. ($13,081,535.90)

Despite missing several small stones, a Cartier-designed onyx and diamond panther bracelet was auctioned for £4,521,250 ($7,415,776.24)—the highest price paid for a bracelet at auction. Made in Paris in 1952, it also became the most expensive Cartier item to be sold at any auction.

One of the other big successes of the night—a ruby, sapphire, emerald, citrine and diamond Cartier flamingo clip reached £1,721,250. ($2,823,202.62)


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It is reported that Madonna, who is directing WE, a film about the abdication, tried on several of the items ahead of the sale. Apparently, she showed particular interest in the panther bracelet, but a Sotheby's spokesman declined to confirm the identity of its new owner.

Sotheby's described it as having an "articulated body designed to encircle the wrist and to assume a stalking attitude, pave-set with brilliant and single-cut diamonds and calibre-cut onyx, the eyes each set with a marquise-shaped emerald".

Many of the pieces bear personal inscriptions, including a heart-shaped emerald, ruby and diamond Cartier brooch with the initials W.E. (Wallis, Edward), which was commissioned by the duke to mark their 20th wedding anniversary in 1957.


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Another Cartier diamond bracelet, said to be a favorite of the duchess, consists of nine gem-set crosses, each representing special moments in her life from 1933 to 1934, including the couple's marriage and an assassination attempt on the king.

When you strip away the wealth, each person is simply striving to live a happy life, doing the best they can with their circumstances. At least the couple stayed together for the rest of their lives. No matter what the reason, that showed commitment.


Lisa Mallis link
12/12/2013 07:48:58 pm

Another interesting post! I love that you ended with "each person is simply striving to live a happy life, doing the best they can with their circumstances." Really - that's what it's all about!

Francene Stanley link
12/12/2013 10:17:41 pm

We're all people, no matter what our circumstances. ;-)

Sophie Bowns link
12/12/2013 08:07:59 pm

Ooh, I love diamonds, they're probably my favourite precious stone :)

Francene Stanley link
12/12/2013 10:18:32 pm

I hope you've got as many as you need, Sophie.

Alana link
12/12/2013 10:01:15 pm

The story of Wallace Simpson and Edward has intrigued me (an American) for years, from a historical perspective. I wonder if they were happy. She was snubbed by the Royal Family to the end, how sad. When I look at old pictures of Edward, I see the face of Prince Charles. I wonder, too, if his life has been happy. (Sorry, I'm going off topic but that is what your post made me think of-I tweeted your post too.) It really makes me happy I was not born a royal. Jewels don't make up for what they have to go through.

Francene Stanley link
12/12/2013 10:21:00 pm

Thanks for your thoughtful response, Alana.
I wouldn't want to be born into a high status family either. Not only do they have to contend with snooping and publicity, they also have to battle their inner demons.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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