King of Diamonds: The Flawless World of Harry Winston

(Hardback)

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Enter the glamorous domain of world-famous jewelry house, Harry Winston, and discover the true rags-to-riches story of the immigrant family behind the phenomenon.

Harry Winstons famous slogan for his success was: knowledge, courage, and the ability to finance. King of Diamonds: The Flawless World of Harry Winston is the quintessential rags-to-riches success story of a very poor immigrant family emigrating from Ukraine to America. It is the story of how one man, Harry Winston, created a famous name with his company, founded in New York City in 1932. Winston became known for the owning and sales of very large diamonds. At one point, he owned a third of the worlds most famous gems, including the Hope Diamond, which earned him the moniker King of Diamonds.

The book details how author Ronald Winstons father got his start and began what would eventually become the most famous jewelry house in the world. Peek inside his first office, an upstairs Fifth Ave location, followed by subsequent locations in Rockefeller Center, an office across from St. Patrick's Cathedral, and finally an image-building store on Fifth Avenue.

Known as the Jeweler to the Stars, Winstons gems have appeared both on the Hollywood red carpet and in famous Hollywood films like Notorious starring Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant, The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. Celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Viola Davis, Helen Mirren, Gwyneth Paltrow, and many more have worn Winston pieces on Hollywoods biggest nights.

The story then follows Harry Winstons successor and heir, Ronald Winston, and his making of the family name. Under Ronald, the companys name would not remain just famous, but would become world-famous. Ronald built locations in Los Angeles, Hawaii, Japan, and China. Ronalds saga continued with his entry into the revolution in Angola, buying diamonds from its charismatic leader, Jonas Savimbi. Ronald Winston risked his life in order to make profits that repaid the death taxes caused by his fathers passing.

In all, King of Diamonds is a joyous evocation of two men who added an innumerable amount to the image, story, and marketing of luxury products, as well as to the joy of people who love and purchase these objects. After all, as frequent Winston jewelry-wearer Marilyn Monroe would say, diamonds are a girls best friend.

Author Bio

RONALD WINSTON was born in the mid-twentieth-century. He attended a private school in New York, and went on to receive an honors degree in science and English from Harvard University. He worked for a while at New York University in rocket propulsion. In the late 1960s, he joined his father's, Harry Winston's, firm. After some time in the company, he built it into a world-famous brand.

WILLIAM STADIEMis the author of thirteen books, including the bestsellingMarilyn Monroe Confidential; Dear Senator;andMr. S: My Life with Frank Sinatra.His most recent book is 2019sMadame Claude.A Harvard JD-MBA, Stadiem abandoned Wall Street for Sunset Boulevard, where he has written such films as Franco ZeffirellisYoung Toscanini, Elizabeth Taylors last major starring role. As a screenwriter, a columnist for Andy WarholsInterview, a frequent contributor toVanity FairandTown & Country,and the restaurant critic forLos Angeles, Stadiem has enjoyed a ringside seat for the decadence and outrageousness he chronicles in his booksJet SetandMoneywood. He lives in Santa Monica, California.