Diamonds Aren't Forever: Sotheby's to Sell Bassey Collection

(IDEX Online) - Sotheby's Paris is to sell over 80 items of jewelry belonging to Dame Shirley Bassey, the British singer who has sold 140m records and who was the voice of three James Bond theme songs.

They'll be offered for sale as part of the Fine Jewels auction on 10 October.

Dame Shirley, 87, became famous for the 007 hit Diamonds Are Forever in 1971 (as well as Goldfinger and Moonraker) - and most of the lots she's selling feature diamonds.

During a recording career that spanned seven decades she amassed a large collection of jewelry and watches. Proceeds of the auction will go to charity.

"Collecting jewellery for me is like collecting memories, and this collection is full of them.

All the pieces are meaningful and have a story to tell, whether I bought them for myself, or they were gifted to me," she said.

The collection includes a number of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels pieces.

Among the highlights are a 1960s vintage Van Cleef & Arpels ring covered in white diamonds that Elton John gave her after she sang at one of his AIDS Gala evenings.