Auction for Gemma Flynn's red carpet earrings tops $2300

Gemma Flynn with fiance Richie McCaw at the premiere of Chasing Great. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

Bids for the earrings Black Sticks star Gemma Flynn wore to the premiere of Chasing Great have topped $2300 on Trade Me.

Designed for Flynn by Charmaine Williams from Grae Jewellery in Auckland and Tauranga-based couturier Grace Millicent, the earrings are valued at $2350 and are being auctioned to raise funds for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.

The auction was started on Thursday in time for Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The earrings reached $2320 today.

The Breast Cancer Foundation is a charity Flynn says is close to her heart, telling the Herald of her family's personal experience with the foundation.

"My nana has twice survived breast cancer. So it's a charity our family holds dear in our hearts.

"I'm so pleased to be able to give back. It's the least I could do."

Flynn has previously been involved with the foundation by meeting with a group of survivors at a breakfast event with Toni Street and by taking part in charity walks in her home town of Tauranga.

Williams says the idea to auction the earrings came about during the design process and stems from a shared support of the foundation.

While Flynn explains that she was "a little bit busy" at the Olympics when the earrings and dress were being made, she was thrilled when she was presented with the diamond, white topaz and sterling silver jewels.

"I was blown away when I saw them. They're stunning. I was lucky to get to wear diamond earrings like that. It was nice to get a bit glammed up."

Flynn paired them with a handbeaded gown made for her by Millicent.

The auction ends at 9pm on Monday night.