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 Lily Cluster Small Platinum Pavé-set Damond bracelet
By Harry Winston
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Harry Winston Lily Cluster Diamond Bangle. The Lily Cluster collection is a signature Harry Winston design inspired by the archives from the 1940s, feat...
Platinum
Harry Winston 18 Karat Yellow Gold Burnish Set Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Harry Winston
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Harry Winston hinged bangle bracelet features three rows of brilliant-cut diamonds meticulously set in a domed, 18k yellow gold "bombé" mounting with a secure safety chain. The...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold crossover bangle bracelet. Dimensions: 2.07 in. H x 2.35 in. W x 0.58 in. D - 53 mm. H x 60 mm. W x 15 mm. ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios designer bangle bracelet hand made in 18 Karat yellow gold. This bracelet is finished in Byzantine style with the unique velvet look on the background. The bracelet featur...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamonds Snake 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, IT
Beautiful 18 karat yellow gold snake bracelet with green,blue and red enamel. Snake-shaped jewels always have a particular charm and denote grace, seduction and mystery. In many civi...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Diamonds Snake 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, IT
Beautiful 18 karat yellow gold snake bracelet mounted with natural diamonds and green,blue and red enamel, the bracelet can be adapted to any wrist size as shown in the video. Snake-...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18K Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet Channel Set Diamonds
Located in Boston, MA
18K Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet Channel Set Diamonds - The bangle contains 25 round brilliant diamonds weighing approximately 1.50ct. T...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Platinum Damond Tennis Line Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
A Cartier platinum diamond tennis line bracelet, circa 1960. This exceptional and elegant bracelet is composed of round brilliant cut diamonds; all of which are set individually within three claws within articulated links. The classic design of this timeless bracelet means that it can be worn dressed up or happily for everyday. Be it as the stand alone piece on the wrist or stacked with other bracelets and bangles for a layered look. The bracelet is secured with a box clasp fastening. There are a total of fifty three round brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of 3.18 carats approximately assessed as G colour, VS1 clarity. Signed 'Cartier 950...
Diamond, Platinum
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold bangle bracelet. Dimensions: 2.07 in. H x 2.53 in. W x 0....
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold bangle bracelet. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and for the excellent quality...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Twig Style Diamond Eternity 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Gold Adore
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Twig Style Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet is a design I just LOVE! Crafted in 18K Yellow Gold, the bangle features gorgeous Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds set in eternity...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pavé Bangle Bracelet
Located in Firenze, FI
18K Rose Gold Bracelet With 284 Stone Diamonds (3.37 Carats IF/VVS)
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Harry Winston Diamond Bracelet
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Harry Winston Diamond Bracelet A beautiful Harry Winston cluster bracelet set with approximately 42 carats of diamonds Made in 1965 ...
Diamond, Platinum
Harry Winston Platinum Diamond Bracelet, Circa 1965
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
An extraordinary creation from the house of Harry Winston, this vintage platinum bracelet is a luminous ode to floral elegance. Fashioned in the mid-1960s, its botanical motif unfurl...
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Harry Winston Emerald Diamond Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Harry Winston
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Magnificent bangle bracelet created by Harry Winston in the 1990's. Gorgeous green sparkle of emeralds is emphasized by dazzling brilliance of the diamonds and yellow gold setting cr...
Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold