Dame Barbara Cartland’s Pearl and Diamond Necklace

Today marks the 25th Anniversary of the Death of Dame Barbara Cartland, who passed away on this day in 2000! The legendary novelist wore this spectacular Pearl and Diamond Necklace for decades before it was auctioned off in 1995!

In the 1950s and 1960s, Barbara Cartland was pictured wearing this striking antique Diamond Necklace with a Tiara as well as in a series of portraits by the legendary Dorothy Wilding along with her daughter, Raine, Countess of Dartmouth and later Countess Spencer.

By the 1970s, Barbara Cartland had added a paste riviére and pearl pendants to her antique Diamond Necklace to create a grander piece.

Dame Barbara claimed real jewellery is impractical.

Barbara Cartland notably wore her Pearl and Diamond Necklace for a series of portraits taken at her home in Camfield Place in 1977.

Dame Barbara Cartland continued to wear her Pearl and Diamond Necklace for several portraits through the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1995, Dame Barbara Cartland auctioned off several of her jewels, including the Pearl and Diamond Necklace, at Sotheby’s. Its current location is unknown!

Queen of romantic fiction Dame Barbara Cartland, whose set of shocking-pink dresses was being sold at auction. Jewel-encrusted gowns with ostrich feather stoles and frou-frou baby doll cocktail numbers studded with crystal beads were among the garments going under the hammer at Sotheby’s vintage fashion sale in London. The late doyenne of romance novels had always wanted her clothes and jewels to be sold after her death to give others the chance to share her distinctive taste in fashion.

The Diamond, Imitation Pearl and Paste Necklace is going on Auction at the Sotheby’s ‘Fine Jewelry’ Sale in London, with the estimate of 10,000 – 15,000 GBP.

A Diamond, Imitation Pearl and Paste Necklace designed as a graduated fringe of stylised heart-shaped motifs, within foliate and festoon surrounds, set throughout with rose- and brilliant-cut diamonds, suspended beneath a paste riviere, issuing imitation pearl drops.

Dame Barbara Cartland (1901–2000) was one of the most prolific and recognisable writers of the 20th century, famed not only for her astonishing literary output of over 700 novels which were translated into more than 30 languages but also for her flamboyant style and unwavering belief in romance, beauty, and compassion. Her writing career began in 1925 with the publication of Jig-saw, and over the following decades she became synonymous with the modern romantic novel garnering millions of readers around the world.

Beyond her literary achievements, Dame Barbara devoted much of her life to philanthropy, supporting numerous causes including St John Ambulance, the RSPCA, and campaigns to improve the welfare of the elderly and the poor. In recognition of her contributions to British culture and charitable work, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1991.

In 1995 she sold a collection of jewellery at Sotheby’s, including this necklace and said “My jewellery has bought me a great deal of happiness and love…I am sure it will bring the same to anyone who wears it.”

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