Diva-Diamonds Are Forever

Gigi: [referring to emerald ring] Who gave it to you, Aunt?
Aunt Alicia: A King
Gigi: A great king?
Aunt Alicia: No, a little one. Great kings do not give very large stones.
Gigi: Why not?
Aunt Alicia: In my opinion it’s because they don’t feel they have to.
Gigi: Well, who does give the valuable jewels?
Aunt Alicia: Who? Oh the shy, the proud, and the social climbers because they think it’s a sign of culture; But it doesn’t matter who gives them, as long as you never wear anything second rate. Wait for the first class jewels Gigi. Hold on to your ideals.

To think, Anna Moffo’s ideals auctioned-off and we could have acquired some, if only we hadn’t missed the damn thing (I think it was sometime earlier this month). It appears that Anna had some rather grand ideals, but then we would expect nothing less from “The Last Diva”

The Litchfield Jewelry Auction on iGavel features over 200 pieces of fine, designer and vintage jewelry, with a selection from the estate of opera diva Anna Moffo Sarnoff. One of the auction’s premiere pieces is a mid 20th century platinum and diamond bracelet set with 287 diamonds, and estimated at $8000-12,000. Also up for bid are several gold and diamond bracelets, including a yellow gold princess diamond bracelet, 20th C., with 55 diamonds, estimated at $5000-7000, and a white gold, sapphire & princess diamond bracelet, 20th C. The piece features a total of 65 square sapphires and 3 diamonds.

Designer and vintage Jewelry collectors won’t be disappointed either. The auction includes a selection of fun items from Mrs. Sarnoff’s Estate, including 11 sterling silver jewelry items, and a mid 20th century watch made for Vacherin & Constantin. Another notable item in the sale is a 14K gold cased transistor AM/FM Radio, C. 1970, monogrammed on front ‘RWS RCA’, inscribed on reverse ‘RWS-DT & AR’, with gold wrist chain, retailed by Marvin Hine & Co., Beverly Hills, California. RWS, obviously, is for media mogul Robert Sarnoff, late husband of Anna Moffo and head of RCA. Read entire press release.

I wonder if any opera fanatics went trolling for Anna’s ideals. I wonder if Wayne Kostenbaum got that platinum and diamond bracelet. I wonder if Nicolai Gedda outbid him ….