Harry Winston’s Legendary Diamonds

Harry Winston’s diamonds are legend. Born with the talent to design jewelry, Harry Winston was drawn into the world of gems and jewels at a young age when his parents immigrated to the United States from Ukraine, and his father started a small jewelry retail and repair shop. Harry Winston worked with his father for many years but by the time he was 20 years old, he had also started his own company. Harry Winston’s original 5th Avenue store in NYC now serves select clientele. Over time, Harry Winston has earned the title: “Jeweler to the Stars.” Every year he would lend millions of dollars in jewelry to celebrities who displayed his talent on the red carpet.

It is said that Harry Winston made his first profit at the age of 12 when he recognized a 2 carat emerald ring in a pawnshop, bought it for 25 cents, and sold it for $800 two days later.  In 1935, he bought the famous 726 carat Jonker diamond for $700,000. He risked his reputation when he announced that he would be cutting the diamond into smaller ones to be put up for sale individually. Many believed that the diamond could not be cut successfully but Harry Winston managed to do it. He sold the smaller diamonds for $2 million dollars apiece, thereby realizing a huge profit and solidifying respect for his expertise. He also donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1958 after it had been in his possession for 10 years. Harry Winston’s dedication helped him climb to the top, and today he is among the most famous jewelers in history and his salons can be found around the world. All in all, Harry Winston’s illustrious career is the stuff dreams are made of. See some of his beautiful fine jewelry below!

Sincerely, Saba