Jacqueline Kennedy’s single-strand choker necklace with simulated pearls and simulated diamond–set sterling silver clasp, estimate $6,700–$11,000 (photos courtesy of Bonhams London)
London— Bonhams is putting the spotlight on style with its London Luxury: Handbags and Fashion sale, online through Oct. 9, and the headline lots are not flawless diamonds or rare natural pearls—but rather simulated pearls once worn by Jacqueline Kennedy.
Yes, fake pearls. And yet they’re expected to command five-figure bids.
The auction includes two Kennedy pieces: a single-strand simulated pearl necklace with a simulated diamond–set sterling silver clasp (estimate $6,700–$11,000), and a pair of simulated pearl and diamond drop earrings with original presentation boxes and pouches (estimate $13,000–$20,000). Photographs of Kennedy wearing them in the 1950s accompany the lots.
Jacqueline Kennedy’s earclips with simulated diamond–set chains and simulated pearl drops, estimate $13,000–$20,000
The controversy is obvious: in a market that still fights over the value of natural vs lab grown diamonds, here we see simulated pearls—decidedly non-precious—being elevated because of who wore them. Kennedy famously declared pearls were “always appropriate” and preferred the luster of simulated strands, which became central to her image as First Lady.
This isn’t the first time Bonhams has tapped into this paradox. Back in 2010, another set of Kennedy’s simulated pearls shattered expectations, proving demand for “fake” jewelry with cultural provenance can far outstrip that of “authentic” gems.
More Than Pearls
The sale extends beyond Kennedy’s jewelry. Highlights include:
- A Louis Vuitton vanity case designed by actress Sharon Stone to benefit amfAR, estimated at $11,000–$13,000.
- Playful yet iconic Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel pieces, such as a Chanel Brasserie Gabrielle clutch bag (A/W 2015) estimated at $6,700–$11,000.
- A capsule of rare clothing and accessories presented with My Wardrobe HQ, the U.K. platform pushing sustainable luxury fashion.
“The sale brings together unique fashion pieces of artistry and modern cultural narrative, offering collectors the rare opportunity to acquire luxury pieces of modern historical resonance and timeless style,” said Meg Randell, Bonhams’ head of designer handbags and fashion for the U.K. and Europe.
The Bigger Question
If Jackie Kennedy’s fake pearls can fetch $20,000, what does that say about our industry’s obsession with authenticity? Is it the material that matters—or the story behind it? For a jewelry world grappling with the rise of lab grown diamonds, Bonhams’ Kennedy lots prove that value is often more about narrative than nature.
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