International News
Historic Cartier Tiara from Viscountess Astor to Lead Bonhams London Auction
Turquoise and diamond tiara, once owned by pioneering British MP Nancy Astor, expected to fetch up to £350,000 at June 5 sale.
A rare turquoise and diamond Cartier tiara once owned by Viscountess Nancy Astor is set to headline Bonhams’ London Jewels auction on June 5. The tiara, which has remained out of the public eye since it was acquired by Lord Astor in 1930, is estimated to fetch up to £350,000 ($461,864).
Crafted by Cartier, the tiara features a central old brilliant-cut diamond surrounded by a mix of old brilliant-, single-, and rose-cut diamonds. Three turquoise plumes accented with diamond stems rise from the center, while each side is adorned with a fan-shaped turquoise panel design.
Viscountess Astor, born Nancy Witcher Langhorne, was a trailblazing American-born British politician and the first woman to take a seat in the UK Parliament, serving from 1919 to 1945. She met her husband, Waldorf Astor, during her transatlantic journey to England in 1905.
The auction will also showcase several other standout pieces. A toi et moi ring featuring a 2.05-carat fancy-pink diamond paired with a 1.42-carat fancy-bluish-green diamond is valued at up to £250,000 ($329,971). A trio of mid-19th-century antique rose-cut diamond brooches could achieve £80,000 ($105,593), while a Tiffany & Co. pavé-set diamond and gem-set leaves necklace is estimated at £60,000 ($79,193).
Also on offer is a pair of diamond chandelier earrings, with cascading pear-cut diamonds weighing 3.17 and 4.02 carats, expected to bring in up to £60,000. Rounding out the highlights is a 1930s Cartier clip brooch with circular-cut citrines and old brilliant-cut diamonds, estimated at £20,000 ($26,398).
International News
AGTA appeals US Government to Scrap 10% Import Tariff on Gemstones
Trade body seeks exemption for coloured gemstones under new temporary tariff regime, with potential implications for diamonds.
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has formally appealed to the US government to remove the newly imposed 10% global import tariff on gemstones, and potentially diamonds, warning of its impact on the trade.
The tariff was announced on February 20 after the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In response, the administration introduced a temporary 10% import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The measure will remain in effect for 150 days unless Congress votes to extend it, though further tariff mechanisms have not been ruled out.
AGTA has submitted a formal request to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), urging that precious and semiprecious coloured gemstones be added to the exception list under Annex I or Annex II. The association argued that these stones are not mined domestically in the US and therefore should qualify for exemption.
Previously, AGTA’s lobbying efforts contributed to diamonds and gemstones being included in Annex III — a list of products eligible for potential exemption from duties for “aligned” countries. This had placed Indian diamonds and gemstones on track for relief following a prospective US-India trade agreement. However, it remains unclear whether Annex III provisions apply under the new tariff framework that recently took effect.
If the across-the-board exemption request is denied, AGTA has asked the USTR to confirm whether Annex III remains a viable pathway for country-specific tariff relief on coloured gemstones.
While the current petition focuses on coloured gemstones, AGTA noted that trade experts believe any exemption granted in this category could effectively extend to diamonds, as seen in past trade agreements such as the US–European Union deal.
“We will continue to work tirelessly toward eliminating tariffs on gemstone imports into the US. We remain fully committed to this effort — giving up is not an option,” said AGTA President Bruce Bridges and CEO John Ford.
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