Italian acting legend Gina Lollobrigida is selling her jewels to raise money for stem cell research.

Gina Lollobrigida is one of the leading sex symbols of the 1950's and 60's, and has accumulated a significant amount of diamond jewelry throughout her career.

Now, Lollobrigida says that it is time for her to give back for the fortunate life that she has had.

She will auction off 23 jewels from her Bulgari collection at Sotheby's in Geneva on May 14, after putting them on display in London, New York and Rome, according to Forbes.

Throughout her career, Gina Lollobrigida played alongside Humphrey Bogart, Rock Hudson, Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra and more.

Lollobrigida never expected to be an actress; she studied at Rome's Academy of Fine Art before she was spotted in a beauty contest. She now focuses on sculpture, so has no need for jewelry.

She said that art was always her dream career, "Acting was not my desire but at the end of things it was destiny that I did this."

"It was a very interesting experience and without the money I could not do what I like in sculpture. To do something in life, not to gain but only to enjoy life, that is the richness in life. I am lucky I can do that."

Lollobrigida, once her career took off, started to collect jewels from Bulgari. She always bought the jewels herself and enjoyed the purchasing power of her work, according to Reuters.

"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 explained.  

Lollobrigida, 85 years old, has left acting behind in favor of humanitarian work and sculpting. Since she has no need for jewels anymore, she has decided to auction her collection.

"I have decided the time is right to share them with other collectors. In so doing, 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."

"This will not be the end of the jewelry but it will be something that does good, helping a cause that is very important to me. I want to leave a souvenir of my life," Lollobrigida told Reuters in a phone interview.

Lollobrigida's collection to be auctioned includes a pair of pearl and diamond earrings made in 1964, expected to sell for $1 million. She is also auctioning a 19.03-carat diamond ring worth about the same, and a 1954 diamond necklace and bracelet pair worth up to $500,000.