Vintage Brooch Made in Tribute to JFK Heads to Auction

By Annie Davidson Watson | January 20, 2026

A piece of jewelry that intertwines the legacy of an American president with the avant-garde vision of a celebrated British jeweler is heading to auction. On Jan. 29, Woolley & Wallis will offer the “JK” brooch created by Andrew Grima (1921–2007) in the wake of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.

The bold initials design quickly achieved legendary status, and in 1966 earned Grima the Duke of Edinburgh’s Prize for Elegant Design, solidifying its place as one of the most culturally significant works of his storied career.

Estimated to sell for £1,000 to £2,000 ($1,340–$2,680) on the second day of Woolley & Wallis’ Fine Jewelry sale, the brooch represents a deeply personal tribute to the fallen president and embodies the radical modernist aesthetic that defined Grima’s work in the early 1960s. This sculptural piece is crafted in Grima’s signature textured 18k yellow gold and measures 7 cm (about 2.75 inches) in length, with the letter J enhanced by a round brilliant-cut diamond.

While the original “JK” brooch was presented to Jacqueline Kennedy, Grima produced a limited number of additional pins, such as the one to be auctioned next week—which Grima gave to the Convent of the Assumption at Hengrave Hall in Bury St, Edmunds, where it was awarded as a “Prize for Leadership.”

The current owner received the brooch in 1964 and has preserved it for over six decades. The lot is accompanied by redacted facsimile correspondence from 1964 between the owner and Grima, offering a rare, intimate look at the designer’s personal involvement with his creations.

“This is a remarkable example of how jewelry can capture a moment in world history,” said Marielle Whiting, jewelry specialist at Woolley & Wallis, in a statement. “The ‘JK’ brooch combines Andrew Grima’s unmistakable modernist vision with the enduring legacy of President Kennedy. Pieces that unite such strong design credentials with genuine historical and documentary significance are exceptionally rare.”

(Photo courtesy of Woolley & Wallis)

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