The “Extraordinary Treasures” Harry Winston Exhibition
Since 1996, when Harry Winston became the first international brand to hold a jewelry exhibition at the Palace Museum in Beijing, the maison opened a cross-temporal dialogue between Western high jewelry and Eastern history and culture, forging a profound bond with China. Over three decades, the maison has carried this Eastern friendship forward, bringing its passion for extraordinary treasures to Shanghai. Blending rare masterpieces, narratives of light and shadow, and interactive installations, the exhibition constructs a captivating viewing experience, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the maison’s history, appreciate the artistry of gemstones, and explore the stories behind its timeless aesthetic.
Exhibition Prologue
Brand Historical Archives and Advertising Visuals
As the prologue of the entire exhibition, Harry Winston adopts the maison’s signature deep sapphire blue to establish a serene and elegant spatial tone, with the dazzling skylines of Shanghai and New York interwoven amid light and shadow. New York is the birthplace of the maison’s legend, carrying nearly a century of profound heritage as a temple of high jewelry; Shanghai, as the host city of this exhibition, embodies the radiant splendor of Eastern modernity. Ascending the steps into the themed corridor, guests are flanked by Harry Winston’s archival images spanning the century, as a journey of extraordinary treasures uniting East and West officially begins.
Legendary Time — The Historical Imprint of Harry Winston
“I love diamonds, and they are my life. I have always held fast to this way of living. Others may say I am nearly obsessed, but to be able to enjoy life so fully and immerse myself in it — I am truly content.” —— Mr. Harry Winston
The “Legendary Time” Gallery
Stepping into Harry Winston’s tunnel of time, the life of the maison’s founder, the “King of Diamonds” Mr. Harry Winston, unfolds like a scroll. Starting from nothing, Mr. Winston achieved a professional stature of remarkable weight among jewelers through his astonishing intuitive genius. His lifelong passion for extraordinary gemstones, his forceful personal charisma, and his distinctive business model helped him break through in a high jewelry market then dominated by Europe, forging his empire, laying the maison’s core identity, and leaving an indelible mark on the development of American high jewelry: In 1920, at the age of 24, Mr. Winston founded The Premier Diamond Company in New York, distinguishing himself through his singular approach of acquiring private jewelry collections and reimagining their design. In 1932, the eponymous brand was officially born, and the legend began. In 1933, Mr. Winston met and fell in love with his wife Edna, whose distinctive aesthetic vision left a lasting imprint on the maison’s early visual and advertising style. In 1935, Mr. Winston acquired the 726-carat Jonker Diamond and brought it back to New York to be cut, once again shaking the jewelry world with his extraordinary boldness. In 1946, a Winston Cluster necklace shone in the film “Notorious,” marking the beginning of Harry Winston’s enduring bond with Hollywood, and the epithet “Jeweler to the Stars” followed. In 1949, Mr. Winston added the legendary Hope Diamond to his collection; from 1949 to 1953, the Hope Diamond was exhibited to the public as part of the “Court of Jewels” charity tour, bringing world treasures within reach of the public. In 1958, he donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, ensuring that this legendary diamond would forever be seen by the world. In 1960, the maison moved into 718 Fifth Avenue in New York, a landmark that embodies the maison’s legend and remains an important symbol of Harry Winston’s spirit and heritage.
Mr. Winston’s footsteps spanned the globe as he sought out the finest rough diamonds, having handled more than one-third of the world’s legendary famous diamonds — including the Hope Diamond, the Jonker Diamond, The Lesotho Diamond, and the famous Baldwin gem from the celebrated collection of mining magnate Lucky Baldwin. He awakened the native brilliance of gemstones through exquisite cutting, and in 1947 earned the title “King of Diamonds.” To this day, the maison still adheres to rigorous gemstone selection standards and carries forward the industry-renowned craftsmanship, writing a resplendent chapter across the centuries through one masterpiece after another.
Vintage Collection — Timeless Treasures Across the Ages
“People often overlook that a truly exceptional diamond is a timeless treasure worthy of being cherished for generations.” —— Mr. Harry Winston
The “Vintage Collection” Gallery
Stepping into the “Vintage Collection” gallery, visitors can admire Harry Winston’s masterpieces spanning the century up close. The exhibits include the Olympic Flame brooch from the 1940s, engraved with the profound friendship between Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and Jack Massey Willis, then head of Bethlehem Steel; diamond earrings from the 1960s showcasing the early style of the Winston Cluster setting; and gold jewelry sets from the 1970s to 1990s brimming with the flavor of their era. Treasures from different periods, complemented by precious historical images and archival manuscripts, fully present the maison’s profound legacy and artistic spirit.
Harry Winston Vintage Collection Pieces
In this gallery, visitors can appreciate, across multiple high jewelry pieces, the iconic Winston Cluster setting that Harry Winston pioneered in the 1940s. This technique arranges diamonds of varying forms in a layered, staggered composition, with the platinum mount rendered nearly invisible, so that the diamonds appear to float upon the skin, creating a vivid, lifelike three-dimensionality that vividly embodies Harry Winston’s “gemstones first” design ethos.
The “Lesotho XVI” Ring (The Lesotho XVI)
The “Lesotho XVI” ring (The Lesotho XVI) in the gallery is especially rich in legend. In 1967, a 601-carat colossal rough diamond unearthed in Lesotho astonished the gemstone industry. This extraordinary rough passed through several hands before being acquired by Mr. Harry Winston, who in 1968 had it cut, via live television broadcast, into 18 diamonds of varying forms and specifications. Among them, the resulting Lesotho III served as the engagement gift for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, becoming one of the most renowned jewelry hallmarks of the 20th century. The Lesotho XVI ring on display here also originates from this industry-defining cutting event; its main stone, a 1.86-carat marquise-cut diamond, is a precious testament to the maison’s “King of Diamonds” heritage.
China Story — Three Radiant Decades of the Eastern Imprint
Harry Winston shares a profound and meaningful bond with China. In 1996, the maison held “Harry Winston — Rare Jewels of the World” at the Palace Museum in Beijing, becoming the first international jewelry brand to hold an exhibition at the Forbidden City, thus forging a deep connection spanning three decades. The “China Story” gallery of this exhibition traces the maison’s development rooted in the East along a timeline, clearly recording every important milestone of its deep engagement with the Chinese market.
The “China Story” Gallery
Harry Winston shares a profound and meaningful bond with China. In 1996, the maison held “Harry Winston — Rare Jewels of the World” at the Palace Museum in Beijing, becoming the first international jewelry brand to hold an exhibition at the Forbidden City, thus forging a deep connection spanning three decades. The “China Story” gallery of this exhibition traces the maison’s development rooted in the East along a timeline, clearly recording every important milestone of its deep engagement with the Chinese market.
The Winston Style
“I don’t want anything to overshadow the dazzling brilliance of the jewels.” —— Mr. Harry Winston
The “Winston Style” Gallery
In 1960, Harry Winston relocated the maison to a six-floor salon at 718 Fifth Avenue in New York, setting the record for the largest jewelry relocation in the history of jewelry transport at the time — a defining chapter in the maison’s history. This “palace of jewels,” crafted in cream-colored stone with gilded details, served as the maison’s window to the world. Mr. Winston established a private office within the salon, which became not only a gathering place for royalty, aristocrats, Hollywood celebrities, and other notable figures, but also the maison’s undisputed design nerve center — here Mr. Winston led breakthroughs in setting techniques, reviewed every design sketch, and drove the formation and evolution of the Winston style. The salon’s ever-elegant character continues to bring inspiration to the maison’s creations.
It was also at this desk, topped with velvet, that Mr. Winston examined countless legendary gemstones in existence. These extraordinary treasures were either safely kept in the secret safe behind the desk, or carried by him in his pockets. It was here, too, that Mr. Winston further developed his design philosophy: “If I could, I would set diamonds directly upon a woman’s skin.” He led his team to break through the traditional heavy setting paradigm, shaping new jewelry forms full of three-dimensional layering that allow diamonds to capture light from multiple angles and release abundant fire — an aesthetic philosophy passed down through the changing times to this day.
The “Winston Style” Gallery
The “Winston Style” gallery recreates Mr. Winston’s legendary office. As the telephone on the desk rings, Mr. Winston’s welcoming voice comes through across time and space, and the treasure chest behind him slowly opens — just as Mr. Winston once opened the safe for distinguished guests to reveal his extraordinary collection — allowing visitors to travel back in time and explore, up close, the origins of Winston’s design.
Exquisite Craftsmanship — The Art of Carving Brilliance
“No two diamonds in the world are alike; each diamond possesses its own distinctive character.” —— Mr. Harry Winston
The “Exquisite Craftsmanship” Gallery
Mr. Harry Winston always pursued a design approach with the gemstone as the protagonist, letting each gem’s natural form guide the overall setting and structural language. This innovation in jewelry craftsmanship also made the maison an important landmark in the world of global high jewelry. Stepping into the “Exquisite Craftsmanship” gallery, original design sketches and jewelry-workshop tools are displayed side by side, intuitively recreating the birth process of Harry Winston’s masterful craftsmanship. All design and technique unfold with the gemstone at the core, solely to maximize the natural brilliance of the gem, conveying the maison’s sincerity and passion for rare gemstones.
Winston Cluster Wreath Diamond Necklace and Its Wax-Model Stone-Setting Diagram
Classic Winston Emerald-Cut Diamond Ring
On a winter night in the 1940s, Mr. Winston drew inspiration from a frost-covered holly wreath, giving rise to the revolutionary Winston Cluster setting. Embodying the “gemstones first” design ethos, pear-shaped, marquise, and round brilliant-cut diamonds are combined in a staggered arrangement, with the platinum mount rendered nearly invisible, so the piece dazzles from every angle. In this exhibition, Harry Winston presents the extraordinary Winston Cluster Wreath diamond necklace, in which the setting angle of each gemstone has been meticulously adjusted to fully reveal its fire, while nearly hidden individual platinum prongs construct the structure, allowing the diamonds to unfold naturally like a three-dimensional sculpture, radiating pure and dazzling light. Beyond the revolutionary setting technique, the meticulous mastery of classic cuts attests to Harry Winston’s deeply ingrained, consummate artistry. Among them, the emerald cut — with its crisp lines and elegant proportions — has always been an indispensable classic symbol of the Winston style, and Mr. Winston’s personal favorite. The Classic Winston emerald-cut diamond ring on display is an exemplary work of this cut. Its step facets fully release the diamond’s transparent clarity and serene fire. The setting structure is customized according to the character of the main stone, balancing the center stone with the accent diamonds and revealing a timeless, elegant temperament.
Moments of Love — Radiant Imprints Engraved on Life
“A diamond is like a great painting — the more you look at it, the more fascinating it becomes.” —— Mr. Harry Winston
The “Moments of Love” Gallery and the Winston Cluster Diamond Tiara
The deepest love engraved in Mr. Harry Winston’s life was his enduring devotion to his wife Edna, and his relentless pursuit of magnificent gemstones. Mr. Winston never judged by carat weight alone, always placing cut and quality first, in pursuit of the most beautiful diamonds nurtured by nature. The “Moments of Love” gallery deeply interprets Harry Winston’s romantic core — the rigorous selection standards and exquisite craftsmanship written into its genes, upholding the “King of Diamonds” exacting standards to select the highest grades: from D, E, F colorless diamonds to stones with clarity ranging from Flawless to VS2. Beyond the 4Cs, a gem’s intrinsic character is also an important selection criterion for Harry Winston — the “fifth C” the maison values (Character). Even with similar grades and quality, each diamond possesses its own unique brilliance and character. As Mr. Winston said: “At Harry Winston, you need not search for a diamond of quality, for all diamonds are perfect. You need only choose the one that belongs to you.
The classic bridal collection uses minimalist platinum settings to highlight the brilliance of the center stone, witnessing joyous occasions with eternal diamonds. The Bridal Couture collection diamond rings draw inspiration from haute couture wedding gowns, echoing the meticulous journey of a couture gown from conceptual sketch to finished garment through the craftsmanship of the diamond ring. On display are the Bridal Couture emerald-cut diamond ring and the Bridal Couture marquise-cut diamond ring, the latter created with the classic asymmetrical two-stone “Toi et moi” (you and me) design that originated in the 18th-century French court, crafting the timeless meaning of the marquise-cut style; the legendary engagement gift that Aristotle Onassis gave to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the maison’s history is precisely a classic interpretation of this form. The entire collection consistently upholds the “gemstones first” design ethos, focusing on the incomparable brilliance of rare diamonds, so that each ring becomes like a bespoke wedding gown — a token carrying sincere love.
Interactive Installation in the “Moments of Love” Gallery
The gallery also features a special interactive installation, where visitors can unlock a Harry Winston ring style exclusively their own through a quiz of the heart, letting the brilliance of jewelry capture a precious, personal memory.
New York Imprint — The Inspirational Prelude of Central Park
“The small and mid-sized diamond dealers of New York … all regard Mr. Winston as a model. He started from nothing, yet through just the right measure of luck, wisdom, and keen intuition, reached the highest level a person can attain.” —— The New Yorker
The “New York Imprint” Gallery
New York, full of opportunity and vitality, is closely interwoven with Harry Winston’s career journey. At the time, as the Empire State Building rose to reshape the city skyline, just a few blocks away, Mr. Winston was likewise sparking a revolution in the high jewelry industry. Speaking of the salon at 718 Fifth Avenue, Mr. Winston once said: “I felt New York needed a space like this to showcase jewels.” The city’s character had long since settled into the maison’s creative DNA. The crisp geometry of skyscrapers, the natural charm of Central Park, and the layered, flowing lights of the urban night all became design inspiration, transforming into jewelry’s crisp cut contours, staggered diamond arrangements, and elegant grace, endowing each piece with a composed, assured urban quality.
Entering the “New York Imprint” gallery feels like stepping into the urban oasis of New York’s Central Park, sensing the tranquility and inspiration unique to this city. Central Park lies close to the Fifth Avenue salon, continually infusing inspiration into classic collections such as Sunflower and Forget-Me-Not. The gallery features a special wishing-fountain interactive experience, where guests can gently toss a coin, entrusting their heartfelt wishes to this romantic ritual steeped in the memory of New York. As the coin is tossed and the wish is made, amid the shifting play of light, beautiful meanings quietly emerge, as if a door to happiness slowly opens, turning every wish into radiant light for a New York encounter across time and space with Harry Winston.
King of Diamonds — The Relentless Pursuit of Extraordinary Diamonds
“All diamonds appear the same, but they are not. The more you understand them, the more endless beauty and surprise you receive.” —— Mr. Harry Winston
The “King of Diamonds” Gallery
In 1947, Mr. Harry Winston was crowned with the title “King of Diamonds” for his relentless pursuit of extraordinary treasures. Mr. Winston traveled across the globe, following even the faintest clues to discover rare gemstones. To this day, the maison continues this spirit of pursuing extraordinary gems, crafting a series of high jewelry masterpieces centered on rare gemstones, vividly interpreting the enduring heritage of “rare jewels of magnificent beauty.”
The Winston Pink Legacy Pink Diamond Ring
2026 marks the 130th anniversary of Mr. Winston’s birth, and The Winston Pink Legacy pink diamond ring — a highly anticipated centerpiece treasure of this exhibition — pays tribute to the maison’s founder with its incomparable rarity. In 2018, Harry Winston acquired this 18.96-carat Fancy Vivid pink diamond, further continuing the chapter of the “King of Diamonds.” As an exceptionally rare Type IIa diamond, The Winston Pink Legacy ring, with its extraordinary 18.96-carat size and Fancy Vivid color grade, is hailed as an “almost unprecedented” rare diamond and one of the world’s most astonishing pink diamonds. Its weight also resonates intriguingly with Mr. Winston’s birth year of 1896, creating a remarkable connection of origins. This exhibition marks the first appearance of The Winston Pink Legacy ring in Shanghai, allowing guests to admire the dazzling brilliance of this rare pink diamond up close.
The Rockefeller-Winston Ring
The Rockefeller-Winston ring is yet another legendary treasure of Harry Winston. For Harry Winston, the emerald is not merely a rare gemstone but carries a lifelong bond between the maison’s founder and the gem. At the age of 12, Mr. Winston, with his extraordinary talent, discovered his first true emerald in a pawnshop window among a tray of colored stones marked “25 cents, take your pick,” thus beginning his lifelong affinity with the world’s rare gemstones. The Rockefeller-Winston emerald ring on display is the pinnacle continuation of this legendary gemstone philosophy. This 18.03-carat Colombian emerald, once treasured by the illustrious Rockefeller family, possesses a rich, vivid emerald-green hue, exceptionally pure crystal quality, and the rare distinction of being free from clarity enhancement — an extreme rarity among emeralds. In 2017, Harry Winston added this legendary emerald to its collection, meticulously setting it in the maison’s classic Winston style, surrounded by 108 diamonds totaling 10.7 carats, so that the rich green and dazzling diamond brilliance illuminate one another. It not only showcases the incomparable vitality of a natural gemstone but also embodies Harry Winston’s connoisseurship of the world’s finest gems and its pursuit of consummate craftsmanship.
Extraordinary Cushion-Cut Emerald and Diamond High Jewelry Necklace
The Extraordinary cushion-cut emerald and diamond high jewelry necklace is another epitome of Harry Winston’s relentless pursuit of extraordinary gemstones. Its main stone is a 55.81-carat emerald from Russia, possessing a distinctive minty green tone and an electric, pale blue-green hue — lustrous, translucent, with inner radiance. Such a delicate hue forms only under extremely rare geological conditions. Staggered diamond clusters surround the cushion-cut center stone, with every design element existing to set off the brilliance of the main stone, fully embodying Harry Winston’s eternal reverence for extraordinary treasures and its exquisite craftsmanship.
Walk of Fame — The Red-Carpet Legend Under the Spotlight
“I love the diamond business. It’s a Cinderella world. It has everything! People! Drama! Romance! Precious stones! Speculation! Excitement! What more could you want?” —— Mr. Harry Winston
The “Walk of Fame” Gallery
Known as the “Jeweler to the Stars,” Harry Winston has shared a profound bond with the film industry since Hollywood’s golden age, becoming the undisputed radiant choice for the most prestigious red-carpet occasions. Stepping into the “Walk of Fame” gallery feels like being at a star-studded gala. The gallery space recreates the dazzling texture of the red carpet through atmospheric light and shadow, while presenting precious archival images of Harry Winston’s classic red-carpet looks over the years, allowing visitors to immersively experience the maison’s enduring allure across the long river of light and shadow. The site also features a red-carpet photo interaction area, where visitors can become the dazzling star on the red carpet under the spotlight, capturing an exclusive brilliant moment, so that this memory shared with Harry Winston may be treasured for a long time. From the dazzling brilliance of rare gemstones to the industry-renowned craftsmanship of the New York workshop, from the star-studded legend on the red carpet to the tender witness of life’s milestones, Harry Winston has always upheld its pursuit of “rare jewels of magnificent beauty,” writing the enduring chapter of the “King of Diamonds” through its dazzling high jewelry creations.