A sapphire and diamond cluster ring believed to have been owned by silent film actress Virginia Cherrill is set for auction in the U.K. during Woolley and Wallis’ Fine Jewelry sale on July 9 and 10. The ring, circa 1987, is estimated to fetch between $6,850 and $9,590 (£5,000 and £7,000). It carries a notable provenance, connected to the early Hollywood figure and her ties to both cinema and aristocracy.
Virginia ring
Cherrill’s ring (circa 1987) in 18k yellow gold and platinum with a cabochon sapphire and circular-cut diamonds, estimate $6,850-$9,590 (£5,000-£7,000)
Cherrill (1908–1996) is most recognized for her role opposite Charlie Chaplin in the 1931 film City Lights. In this iconic silent film, Cherrill played a blind flower-seller, a central character in Chaplin’s critically acclaimed work. City Lights, written, produced, and directed by Chaplin, was a commercial success despite being released four years after sound technology became available in films. It has since been recognized for its cultural and artistic importance, selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry in 1991, and named the 11th greatest American film of all time by the American Film Institute in 2007.
Cherrill’s acting career was sparked by a chance meeting with Chaplin. Following City Lights, she gained significant attention, appearing in films such as Girls Demand Excitement (1931), one of John Wayne’s early starring roles, and working with directors like John Ford and Tod Browning. She also starred in the 1931 musical Delicious and later appeared in two of James Mason’s early British films, including Troubled Waters, her final cinematic appearance. Her contributions to film are recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Cary Grant Virginia Cherrill
Cherrill and Grant
Beyond her film career, Cherrill’s personal life was widely publicized. She was married four times. Her most notable marriage was to actor Cary Grant in 1934, though it ended in divorce a year later. She later married English peer George Child Villiers, 9th Earl of Jersey, becoming the Countess of Jersey until their divorce in 1946. Her final marriage, to Florian Kazimierz Martini in 1948, lasted 48 years until her death.
The ring features a cabochon sapphire, reportedly a gift from the Maharaja of Jaipur, surrounded by circular-cut diamonds, set in platinum and 18k gold. Marielle Whiting, jewelry specialist at Woolley & Wallis, said in a statement, “We are delighted to offer this charming ring, which is believed to have been owned by such a shining star in cinema history.”
Top: Cherrill and Chaplin in the 1931 film City Lights (photos courtesy of Woolley & Wallis)