Gina Lollobrigida Jewelry Collection at Sotheby’s Geneva

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Gina Lollobrigida, beautiful Italian actress was iconic sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s. Her passion for Bulgari jewelry is almost as legendary as her career. Now, 23 outstanding jewels from her Bulgari collection will be offered at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale, on May 14, 2013. Part of the proceeds from the Sotheby’s Geneva auction will benefit stem cell research.

“I began collecting jewels from Bulgari in the 1950s and 1960s, drawn by the wonderful craftsmanship and distinctive style of these pieces,” the 85-year-old legend said in a statement. “They accompanied me on many journeys – both professional and personal – and are redolent of those times and the extraordinary people I met along the way.

Highlights of upcoming auction is a pair of Bulgari natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings made in 1964 (estimate: $600,000 – 1,000,000). Also up for auction: a Bulgari 19.03 ct. diamond ring, circa 1962 (estimate: $400,000–$800,000); and a 1954 Bulgari diamond necklace/bracelet combination (estimate: $300,000–$500,000). Key pieces from the collection will travel to London, New York and Rome before returning for exhibition in Geneva in advance of the sale. The auction follows in Sotheby’s great tradition of offering jewels from some of the world’s leading stars, including Ava Gardner, Marlene Dietrich, Maria Callas, Mary Pickford and Paulette Goddard. Other interesting pieces of jewelry include a diamond necklace/bracelet combination, Bulgari, 1954, (estimate: $300,000-$500,000); a pair of natural pearl and diamond pendants, Bulgari, 1964 (estimate: st. $600,000-$1,000,000); a diamond ring set with a cushion-shaped diamond weighing 19.03 carats, Bulgari, 1962 (estimate: st. $400,000-$800,000); a pair of emerald and diamond earclips, Bulgari, 1964 (estimate: st. $150,000-$250,000); an emerald and diamond brooch (estimate: $150,000-$250,000) and an emerald and diamond ring, Bulgari, 1964 (estimate: $120,000-$180,000).