Harry Winston extends amfAR role via bespoke necklace auction

U.S. jeweler Harry Winston is lending support to The Foundation for AIDS Research gala and auction in Cannes, France, on May 21.

Held annually during The Cannes Film Festival, AmfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS, now in its 22nd year, has raised more than $140 million to benefit the charity’s research programs and media initiatives. Harry Winston, along with other sponsors and partners, will host the charitable and star-studded gala with AmfAR at Hôtel du Cap, nearby Cannes.

Supporting the cause
On its social media pages, Harry Winston shared the bespoke piece that was created specifically for the AmfAR auction on May 21. The images include Harry Winston jewelers working on the piece behind-the-scenes and a sketch.

Harry Winston’s Epic Cluster necklace is a “contemporary tribute to the 69.42-carat Taylor-Burton, cut in 1966 by Harry Winston himself,” according to French Vogue.

The Taylor-Burton is a 68-carat diamond purchased by actor Richard Burton for his then-wife, actress Elizabeth Taylor in 1969.

Mr. Burton had been the underbidder for the diamond when French jeweler won the diamond at auction for $1.05 million, setting a record price for a publicly offered stone. Ms. Taylor wore the necklace that incorporated the diamond to Princess Grace of Monaco’s 40th birthday and to the 42nd Academy Awards.

Linking Harry Winston to infamous pieces worn by Hollywood’s elite is fitting given the glamorous setting and cinematic significance of Cannes.

Harry Winston’s reinterpretation features 191 brilliant and marquise cut diamonds separated between three strings with the pear-cut stone acting as a pendant.

Harry Winston's Epic Cluster necklace created for amfAR's 22nd Cinema Against AIDs gala

For the inaugural amfAR Hong Kong Gala held on March 14, Harry Winston was also a presenting sponsor.

During the auction portion of the gala, Harry Winston auctioned its Forget Me Not lariat necklace, featuring 189 pear-shaped diamonds. The brand also presented Michelle Yeoh, the gala’s Humanitarian Leadership Award recipient, with a rose gold Midnight Monochrome timepiece (see story).