Posted 2 years ago
whlong
(40 items)
This 6.18 ct., emerald cut, natural diamond and white platinum ring was one of the many items left behind by Lucille M. Bell, who was the wife of Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell, Founder of The Bell Aircraft Company. Today, this company is known as "Bell Helicopter" or "Bellflight". ----- The Serial Number "1258" -- double wall engraved serial number -- and -- "10% IRID PLAT", stamped on the inside of the white platinum ring -- four double prong setting and has one diamond baguette diamond on each side -- the combined H W on both sides of the setting. ---- The "Classic" Harry Winston Ring. -------- This diamond ring "pre-dates" the 1953 movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds", starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. -- Directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Sol C. Siegel, written by Charles Lederer. The production company was Twentieth Century - Fox Film Corporation, released in 1953. -- The movie featured Marilyn Monroe's iconic song, "Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend". -- The movie and the song were a major boost to the already successful, Harry Winston, as "The Supplier" for "Large and High Quality" diamond jewelry to other movie stars and the ultra rich, world wide. ------------ Note; Larry Bell was friends with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz providing helicopter transportation to different shows and events. --------------- Historically invaluable and the only ring known to exist with the "Combined / Overlaid "H W" on both sides of the ring setting. ---- The historical significance is unequaled, from founding of The Bell Aircraft Company, Bell Helicopter, Bell Textron, Bellflight, Bell Aerospace, space exploration with the Bell Lunar Landing Module, and the overall development of aviation as we know it today, -- as well as -- the early beginnings of "The Ultra High End, Large Natural Diamond" Jewelry Industry, in the United States of America and world wide, after World War II. ------------------- Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell was born April 5, 1894 -- died, unexpectedly of a stroke, October 20, 1956, age 62, in Buffalo, New York. ------- Larry Bell's wife, Lucille M. Bell was born November 5, 1891 -- died December 10, 1970, age 79, in Palm Beach, Florida. ( Lucille Bell McNeil ) ------- This Natural Diamond ring has never been sold and is not for sale. ---------- A starting auction price / value would be approximately - $400,000.00 to $450,000.00 United States Dollars. --------------- According to a Sales Executive at Harry Winston, Inc., New York office, October 21, 2024, the Serial Number "1258", "Predates" the "Digital Serial Number Data Base" that is in use, accessible, and maintained, by all of the current Harry Winston, Inc. locations, world wide. -------- Harry Winston, Inc., ( HW Holdings, Inc., previously a USA company ), is now owned by "Swiss Swatch" as of January 14, 2013 -- ( Swatch Group, Ltd., of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland ) ---------------------- On May 23, 2024, a very informative and very well conducted, interview between Carol Woolton, of "IF JEWELS COULD TALK", and Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, born 1941 in New York, and Author of the book, "KING OF DIAMONDS", revealed, that in the early years, Harry Winston Inc. was actually composed of 3 areas of the diamond business -- - #1 ) During World War II, Harry Winston provided "industrial grade diamonds" to military aircraft manufacturing companies for use in machining and manufacturing aircraft parts and components, used as critical parts in specialized milling machines, lathes, drilling machines, etc., and aircraft instrumentation. ---------- #2 ) Distributed jewelry quality diamonds to smaller jewelers and jewelry stores across America. --------- #3 ) The development of Harry Winston, Inc. as "The" High End, Large Diamond and Diamond Jewelry supplier to ultra rich customers in the United States of America, Asia, Europe, and World Wide. ----------- Items #1 and #2 were a closely held secret of Harry Winston, and was, for the most part, personally handled by, and the transactions were conducted by Harry Winston himself. -------- During World War II, The Bell Aircraft Company, founded by Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell, was one of the largest manufacturers of military aircraft for The United States of America as well as Great Britain and the Allied Forces all over the world. ----- It is possible that The Bell Aircraft Company, and it's many afiliated suppliers, during World War II, was one of Harry Winston's largest customers for "industrial grade diamonds". ----------- The above photographs from left to right --- Photograph #1, is a top view, showing the 6.18 ct. emerald cut, natural diamond with "double prong" white platinum setting. ---- Photographs # 2 and # 3, are side photographs of the diamond and white platinum ring, showing the overlaid / combined, - "H" "W" - present on both of the non-ring sides of the ring. ---- As of this posting, this is the only large diamond and white platinum ring, with this combined "H" "W" design, that is known to exist. ---- Both Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell and Harry Winston were very unique with everything they were involved in. ---- Every item, was special, a secret, and unique in it's on right, be it, breaking the sound barrier or a one of a kind large diamond ring. ---- Photograph # 4, shows the serial number - "1258", double wall engraved, ---- and the "10% IRID PLAT" stamped, on the inside of the ring. ---- Note, the Bell Diamond and White Platinum bracelet, not pictured on this posting, also has a double wall engraved serial number and a "10 % IRID PLAT", stamped on the inside of the bracelet clasp. ( the "size" of the engraving and stamping is different due to the usable and available area on each jewelry item. ) ----- There is a rectangular, tapered baguette diamond on each side, ( 2 total ), mounted on the setting / shank of the ring. ---- Tap on each of the above Photographs and magnify for better viewing. ----- G.I.A. report number is 1132617303 ---- July 24, 2023, updated report ---- Color Grade 1 and Clarity Grade VS1 ---- The diamond dimensions and ratios: Length 11.54 mm, Width 9.33 mm, Depth 6.36 mm, ---- Length to Width Ratio 1.23687 ---- Length to Depth Ratio 1.81446 ---- Width to Depth Ratio 1.46698 ------ Table 74 %, Depth 68.2 % ------ The G.I.A Report can be viewed, per the stated number, on the G.I.A. website. --- ( Gemological Institute of America ) -------- On one side of the setting, the combined "H" and "W" are composed of 5 pieces of white platinum, held together by 8 solder joints. -- Normally this setting reinforcement would be 1 piece of platinum requiring 2 solder joints. ---- The "H" and "W" on "both sides" of the white platinum setting, in total, is constructed of 10 pieces of white platinum with 16 solder joints forming the combined "H" and "W". -- This required much work and expense on the part of the jeweler, and is an indication of an "intentionally" formatted design. ( Not a typical or normal construction design. ) -- The manufacturing dating must also must be considered, around 1940 to 1952. ( Modern jewelry making equipment was not in existence during this time frame. ) ----------------- The intent of this posting is to generate questions, collect information, and/or comments of a factual and verifiable historical and/or educational nature. ----- Also, Google, The Secret P-39 Airacobra Diamond and White platinum Brooches / Commendations, delivered to Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell, Founder of The Bell Aircraft Company, ( in 1942 ), by King Peter II, of Yugoslavia, ( who is the father of the current Crown Prince Alexander, of Serbia ), Godson and Envoy of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, of Great Britain and The United Kingdom. ------ Also Google -- The Diamond and White Platinum Bracelet of Lucille M. Bell and Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell, Founder of The Bell Aircraft Company. ------ more information to follow and research is on-going. ---- send all inquiries to Wayne Hugh Long -- email - whlong2715@gmail.com ----- Phone/Text - 843-685-9468 ----- This posting was last updated -- 2/7/2025.
