Gina Lollobrigida auctions jewellery

There is nothing more sensational than when Hollywood sells its jewels. The latest in this list is the 1950s and 60s screen legend Gina Lollobrigida.

More than 20 pieces – many created by Italian jeweller, Bulgari – went under the hammer last week at Sotheby’s. Many of the pieces achieved double their estimate, fetching CHF 4,741,500 (just over AUD $5m). Her diamond and pearl earrings, said to have belonged to the historic collection of the House of Habsburg, sold for CHF 2,285,000 (a little over AUD$2.5M).

Attending the Geneva auction, the 85-year-old Italian actress said that she was using the proceeds to raise money for stem cell research.

“Jewels are meant to give pleasure and for many years I had enormous pleasure wearing mine,” Lollobrigida said.

“Selling my jewels to help raise awareness of stem cell therapy, which can cure so many illnesses, seems to me a wonderful use to which to put them.”