NEWS FOR WOMEN FINE TOPAZ INCLUDED IN PIANIST’S JEWELLERY

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27796, 22 October 1955, Page 2

NEWS FOR WOMEN FINE TOPAZ INCLUDED IN PIANIST’S JEWELLERY

A topaz almost two inches across, which was so large that the only way in which she could wear it without having it cut was to attach it to a fine gold chain as a pendant, is one of the many fine pieces in the collection of jewellery owned by the pianist, Winifred AttwelL who is touring New Zealand. Her jewellery and furs are insured for £50,600, and her hands are insured for £40,000. Visiting Ceylon, Miss Attwell was given the topaz by a night club owner, who with a clap of his hands summoned a member of the staff to present the 160-carat stone. The donor had opened his night club specially so that Miss Attwell, with her husband and some friends, could dance for the evening. Miss Attwell has several mementos of Australia in her collection. One is an opal with the map of Australia carved on it. The stone is mounted on a gold boomerang. Another is a

cameo bracelet given to her by the Australian winner of a £30,000 lottery as a gesture of thanks. Miss Attwell drew the first prize marbles for the winning number in the lottery. Before she reached New Zealand she had been given several gifts of paua shell jewellery for her collection. One of her favourite necklaces is of pink stones, and has matching earrings. It tones well with the blues and greys which she often wears.

Through a television appearance in Britain, in which she wore a set of dull gold chain costume jewellery with tassels, she started a vogue fcr such pieces.

A specially constructed strong-room in her home on the outskirts of northern London houses her collection of jewels. She has replaced a brown mink coat, which was stolen, by a “breath of heaven” grey mink coat, which is insured for £BOOO. Coats of this type are so rare that only one is made every seven years.