One day, a 12-year-old boy went to a pawn shop and spotted an emerald that caught his attention, so much so that he bought it for 25 cents. Two days later, he sold that very emerald for a whopping $800. Now, making a profit of $799.75 at such a young age was not a small feat—but little did we know it was just the first stone into a legacy the world would remember for generations to come.
This is the story of Harry Winston, the kid who went on to become “The King of Diamonds.”
The Early Years
Born in 1896, Harry was introduced to jewelry early while working at his father’s jewelry shop, where he also learned valuable business tactics. In 1920, more than a decade after selling the emerald from the pawn shop, Harry founded The Premier Diamond Company on Fifth Avenue.
However, the jewelry industry was a tough cookie to crack for businesses. What worked for Harry was buying large collections of old-fashioned jewelry, which he would then re-cut and redesign for his contemporary clients.
A turning point came in 1926 when he acquired Arabella Huntington for $1.2 million. After this, he built a successful business and founded the iconic Harry Winston Inc. in 1932—becoming one of the biggest household names in the jewelry industry.
Brief Timeline
- 1896 – Born in New York City
- 1908 – First diamond purchase at age 12
- 1920 – Founded The Premier Diamond Company
- 1926 – Acquired the estate of Arabella Huntington
- 1932 – Founded Harry Winston Inc.
- 1978 – Harry Winston passes away
- 1989 – The first collection of Harry Winston watches launched
- 2000 – Ronald Winston assumes control of the company
- 2013 – Swatch Group acquires the retail arm of Harry Winston
Becoming the “King of Diamonds”
During his illustrious journey, Harry Winston handled some of the most famous diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry pieces. According to The Gemological Association of Great Britain, he owned more than one-third of the world’s most famous diamonds.
In the eyes of collectors, what separates the Winston collection from the rest is the innovative design with uncompromised quality. Historically, the most recognizable diamond in his collection has been the Hope Diamond—also the largest known deep blue diamond in the world. In the 1950s, his jewel collection was only second to the British Royal Family.
In his grand collection, he also had other renowned gems, like the 601-carat Lesotho Diamond. This was also the diamond Harry cleaved into 18 stones on live broadcast TV, helping it gain more recognition. Later, one of these diamonds made it to Jackie Kennedy’s engagement ring when she married Aristotle Onassis.
Harry Winston’s Most Famous Stones
- The Jonker: A 726-carat rough diamond, cut into several smaller diamonds, including the 128.54-carat Jonker Diamond.
- The Winston Legacy: A 101.73-carat D-flawless pear-shaped diamond.
- The Star of Independence: A 75.52-carat D-flawless diamond.
- The Idol’s Eye: A 75.37-carat yellow diamond.
- The Vargas Diamond: A 726.6-carat rough diamond, cut into 29 stones.
- The Star of the East: A 94.78-carat pear-shaped diamond.
- The Indore Pears: Two pear-shaped diamonds, purchased from the Maharaja of Indore.
- The McLean Diamond: A 31.26-carat diamond, purchased from the estate of Evalyn Walsh McLean.
- The Briolette: A 90.38-carat D-color diamond.
- Hope Diamond: A 45.52-carat blue diamond, considered one of the most famous diamonds in the world.
Jeweler to the Stars
With a keen eye for detail and his passion for precious stones, he became a globally renowned jeweler, catering to clients like The Maharajah of Indore and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
Since the very beginning, his jewelry captivated Royalty, Heads of State, Hollywood stars, and business giants. Gaining quick recognition, he was also known as the “Jeweler to the Stars.” In the 1944 Oscars, actress Jennifer Jones wore Harry Winston—making him one of the first jewels to lend pieces to an actress. Other celebrities who have worn the jewels designed by Harry include Helen Mirren, Viola Davis, Regina King, and Madonna.
Other celebrities who have worn Harry Winston jewelry:
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Jennifer Lopez
- Beyoncé
- Karolina Kurkova
- Natalie Portman
- Julie Andrews
- Charlize Theron
- America Ferrera
- Rosario Dawson
- Jared Leto
The Harry Winston Cluster
Inspired by a frosty December evening, Harry first introduced the Winston Cluster in the 1940s when he noticed the frost shimmering on the leaves at his front door. He decided to emulate these clusters on a diamond.
The Winston Cluster design features a 3D arrangement of diamonds in different cuts. Due to their stunningly versatile nature, these diamonds are included in various jewelry pieces such as necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings.
A Glimpse into Luxury:
- Price Range: Winston Cluster pieces range from $10,000 to $7 million for high-jewelry creations.
- Record-Breaking Sale: A Harry Winston diamond fringe necklace sold for $4 million at Sotheby’s in 2023.
- Spectacular Necklace: The necklace featured 177.51 carats of diamonds, including nine pear-shaped diamonds weighing from 14.93 to 2.04 carats.
A Change of Hands
After his death, Harry left the company to his two sons, Ronald and Bruce. Later, the sons entered a decade-long battle to gain control over the company. However, in 2000, Ronald and his business partner, Fenway Partners, bought Bruce out of the company for $54.1 million.
Finally, in 2013, Harry Winston Inc. was bought by the Swatch Group of Switzerland.
Read Next:
- Beautiful Design Makes a Beautiful Life: Tiffany & Co.
- Cartier: The Ultimate Symbol of Luxury, Prestige, and Timeless Craftsmanship
The Legacy Continues
Harry Winston, as the “King of Diamonds,” has left an indelible mark on the jewelry world. Renowned for his impeccable taste in jewels, innovative designs, and unparalleled craftsmanship, Winston took the art of jewelry-making to new heights.
Beyond his magnificent creations, Winston was a cultural icon and visionary philanthropist. In 1958, he generously donated the legendary Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution—showcasing his commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
Today, the Harry Winston brand continues to honor his legacy by crafting exquisite pieces that embody the same spirit of innovation, artistry, and elegance.
