Van Cleef & Arpels

A native New Yorker, Lillian Schuman married Sol Goldman at the age of 19, forming the bedrock of what was to become a real estate empire. Lillian played an active role in the family business which, at its peak, held 1,900 commercial and residential properties, including the Chrysler building. By 1987, the family oversaw the largest privately held real estate portfolio in the city, allowing Lillian to pursue numerous philanthropic efforts, most notably those in support of women’s education.In 1992 Lillian gave $20 million to Yale University Law School, in large part due to its readiness to admit women and minorities. The endowment was praised by the school’s then dean, Guido Calabresi, as the largest gift of its kind in American legal education and led to the reconstruction and expansion of its library that now bears her name. Funds were also directed to support a day-care center as well as scholarships, particularly for those students interested in women’s rights. The Lillian Goldman Charitable trust has also supported the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the 92^nd Street Y, the Alzheimer’s Association and the New York Botanical Gardens, to name but a few of her chosen causes.

In addition to her generosity, Lillian Goldman was known for her spectacular collection of jewels. The mystery-set bracelet offered here was one of many signed pieces from Graff and Tiffany & Co. and complemented by substantial gemstones including a 68-carat fancy intense yellow diamond drop. The dazzling Mrs. Goldman was feted on her 80^th birthday by family friend Bette Midler who gave a special toast, offering up her own rendition of Happy Birthday, dedicated to “Diamond Lil.”