"Talk to me Harry Winston, tell me all about it"
-Marilyn Monroe in Diamonds Are A Girls' Best Friend
When Gwyneth Paltrow tearfully accepted her Best Actress Academy Award decked out in the now famous pink taffeta Ralph Lauren dress, she was also adorned in a dazzling 40-carat diamond necklace. As she bubbled through her acceptance speech, the necklace was seen around the world, though it received far less attention than the dress. That necklace, like those of many other celebrities on Oscar night, was provided by the House of Winston, a.k.a. Harry Winston.
Since the 1943 Academy Awards, when Harry Winston outfitted the lady of the night, Jennifer Jones, with her jewelry, Winston has lent the who's who of Hollywood royalty that extra sparkle--and, some say, a lucky charm--on the night of nights. Each year, Winston lends a staggering $200 million worth of jewelry to celebrities. As those very celebrities walk down the red carpet dressed in the likes of Gucci, Versace or Cavalli, one other name is always implied: Harry Winston, jeweler to the stars.
For this year's Oscars, celebrities collectively borrowed $40 million worth of jewelry from the exclusive designer. For 71st Annual Academy Awards, host Whoppi Goldberg alone added that extra sparkle with $41 million in Winston jewelry--including a rumored $15 million diamond ring. Halle Berry was wearing Harry Winston's famous Pumpkin Diamond Ring (the world's largest vivid-orange diamond ring), worth $3 million, when she accepted her Oscar; and Elizabeth Taylor, the queen of diamonds herself, was also loaned $3 million worth of jewelry for Oscar night.
It's a win-win situation for all parties. The House of Winston gets its name out there and the stars get to shine for free. It doesn't always go according to plan, though. Some stars like the jewelry so much that they want to keep it! Sharon Stone once sued Winston claiming that the $400,000 necklace she wore on Oscar night was a gift, not a loan. She sued the House for $12 million claiming breech of contract. The claim (which Winston called "mind-boggling") was settled out of court; Stone returned the necklace and Winston made a donation to her favorite charity.
The stars don't just count on the retailer for Oscar loans. Ben Affleck bought Jennifer Lopez's six carat pink diamond engagement ring at Harry Winston. The ring is rumored to be worth over a million dollars.
In 1950, Harry Winston, the namesake of the House, was nicknamed by the press "The King of Diamonds"; and with good reason! Winston got his start in the jewelry business when at the age of 12; in 1908, he purchased a glass stone for $2. He later sold that same stone for $800; it turns out it was an emerald. In 1920 he organized his first business, "The Premier Diamond Company" in New York City. In 1932, Winston acquired the jewelry collection of Rebecca Stoddard for $1 million. The early thirties saw Winston transition from wholesaler to retailer when he opened the first "Harry Winston" in New York City.
In 1949, Winston got one of his greatest acquisitions: the Hope Diamond. The famous diamond, shrouded in mystery and legend, was once owned by the French King, Louis XIV. Darkish blue, it weighs 45.52 carats and is mounted in as a pendant surrounded by 16 white diamonds on a necklace chain of 45 diamonds. Winston used it as the attraction for his 1949 tour, "The Court of Jewels." He donated it to the Smithsonian in 1958, carrying out his dream to start a national gem collection. The Hope Diamond is the most visited exhibit at the Smithsonian.
Winston has held more of the world's most famous jewels than any other group, with the exception of the British Crown. Although Winston does have some competition in Hollywood, with other retailers looking to outfit the stars on Oscar night, the King of Diamonds is likely to prevail over any competition and remain the premier jeweler to the stars.
When Gwyneth Paltrow tearfully accepted her Best Actress Academy Award decked out in the now famous pink taffeta Ralph Lauren dress, she was also adorned in a dazzling 40-carat diamond necklace. As she bubbled through her acceptance speech, the necklace was seen around the world, though it received far less attention than the dress. That necklace, like those of many other celebrities on Oscar night, was provided by the House of Winston, a.k.a. Harry Winston.
For this year's Oscars, celebrities collectively borrowed $40 million worth of jewelry from the exclusive designer. For 71st Annual Academy Awards, host Whoppi Goldberg alone added that extra sparkle with $41 million in Winston jewelry--including a rumored $15 million diamond ring. Halle Berry was wearing Harry Winston's famous Pumpkin Diamond Ring (the world's largest vivid-orange diamond ring), worth $3 million, when she accepted her Oscar; and Elizabeth Taylor, the queen of diamonds herself, was also loaned $3 million worth of jewelry for Oscar night.
The stars don't just count on the retailer for Oscar loans. Ben Affleck bought Jennifer Lopez's six carat pink diamond engagement ring at Harry Winston. The ring is rumored to be worth over a million dollars.
In 1949, Winston got one of his greatest acquisitions: the Hope Diamond. The famous diamond, shrouded in mystery and legend, was once owned by the French King, Louis XIV. Darkish blue, it weighs 45.52 carats and is mounted in as a pendant surrounded by 16 white diamonds on a necklace chain of 45 diamonds. Winston used it as the attraction for his 1949 tour, "The Court of Jewels." He donated it to the Smithsonian in 1958, carrying out his dream to start a national gem collection. The Hope Diamond is the most visited exhibit at the Smithsonian.
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