Dame Anna’s Amethysts Sparkle at the Albies in London

This weekend, the glamorous people descended on London’s Natural History Museum for a star-studded charity gala, and Dame Anna Wintour brought out yet another fabulous antique amethyst necklace for the occasion.

Wintour was one of the many famous faces who arrived at the Natural History Museum in London on Friday for the Albies, an awards ceremony and charity benefit given by the Clooney Foundation for Justice. The Clooneys in question are George and Amal; the “Albie” referenced in the event’s name is Albie Sachs, the South African judge and lawyer who worked tirelessly for victims of racist laws and policies during and after apartheid.

For the gala, Wintour wore a plum-colored satin gown with a structured ivory jacket and her signature sunglasses and bob. But the star of the show, undoubtedly, was the antique necklace that she wore with the ensemble.

Wintour has long made antique necklaces a part of her look, often turning to S.J. Phillips in London to provide her with both real and paste examples. This particular necklace, per Carol Woolton, is part of a demi-parure that dates to the nineteenth century. The necklace, which is set with diamonds, amethysts, and small pearls, is part of a suite that also includes a matching brooch and earrings.

Dame Anna has long demonstrated a love for deep purple amethysts. When she attended a gala at the neighboring Victoria & Albert Museum in the autumn of 2007, she wore a special diamond and amethyst necklace with royal connections.

The necklace is the same one that was worn for decades by Queen Mary. It was later sold, along with the rest of its coordinating parure, and was loaned to Wintour for the 2007 outing.

More recently, we saw Wintour wear another antique amethyst necklace for a special moment at Buckingham Palace. She borrowed this necklace from Phillips to wear when she was invested as a Companion of Honour in February 2025.

The sparkle continues today over at Hidden Gems, where we’ll chat about a major pink diamond that will soon head to auction, as well as an interesting British royal brooch and a Vogue celebration of an important jewelry designer. Be sure to subscribe so today’s free mid-week edition arrives promptly in your email inbox!