Geneva, May 13: Italian actress, artist and philanthropist Gina Lollobrigida's 23 outstanding jewels will be on sale Tuesday at Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Sale here.
"I began collecting jewels from Bulgari in the 1950s and 1960s, drawn by the wonderful craftsmanship and distinctive style of these pieces. They accompanied me on many journeys - both professional and personal - and are redolent of those times and the extraordinary people I met along the way," Lollobrigida said in a statement.
"These days I am focussing my time on my career as a sculptor. After more than 65 years I have come full circle, returning to the skills I first learned at the Fine Arts Academy in Rome. A sculptor has little need for jewels, and so, I have decided the time is right to share them with other collectors," she added.
The pieces that will be auctioned include a pair of natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings made in 1964, a 19.03 carat diamond ring, circa 1962, and a 1954 diamond necklace and bracelet combination.
Lollobrigida says that the auction will help in collecting money for a cause.
She further added: "With this, I can also help a cause very close to my heart, that of stem cell research - treatment, which I believe should be freely available to every child. It is my wish that part of the proceeds from the sale will contribute to help fund an international hospital for stem cell research."
