Elizabeth Taylor's Jewellery. Most Famous Pieces and Interesting Facts

Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection is legendary, renowned for its opulence, exceptional craftsmanship, and deep personal significance. From the iconic Krupp diamond to the enchanting Bvlgari emerald suite, her jewels reflect her extravagant lifestyle and passion for exquisite pieces. Each gem tells a story, from the gift of the stunning La Peregrina pearl from Richard Burton to the magnificent sapphire necklace commissioned by Bvlgari. Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry transcends mere adornment, becoming a symbol of her remarkable life, love affairs, and illustrious career in Hollywood. With each piece, she left an indelible mark on the world of fine jewelry, forever capturing the imagination and admiration of generations to come. So let's explore the most famous and magnificent Elizabeth Taylor pieces of jewelry. Before we start, please support my channel by clicking like and subscribe buttons. Krupp Diamond Ring Elizabeth Taylor's engagement ring holds a special place in the realm of iconic jewelry. This magnificent piece was bestowed upon her by the acclaimed actor Richard Burton, with whom she shared a tumultuous on-again-off-again relationship that captivated the public throughout the 1960s and 1970s. At the heart of this renowned ring lies a remarkable gemstone, a breathtaking 33.19-carat Krupp diamond. Richard Burton always wanted to make a grand gesture, ensure that this diamond surpassed any engagement ring Elizabeth Taylor had previously received. Interestingly, the diamond's origin can be traced back to the well-known socialite and actress Vera Krupp, who once owned this illustrious gem. When Vera Krupp passed away, the Krupp diamond found its way to Sotheby's Auction House, where Richard Burton seized the opportunity to acquire it for his beloved Liz. The Krupp diamond was mounted on a platinum band, further enhancing its radiant allure. Following Elizabeth Taylor's passing in 2011, the iconic ring was presented on Christie's Auction to bidders from around the world, where it was sold for a staggering price of $8.8 million, a testament to the enduring fascination with both the ring itself and the extraordinary woman who wore it. La Peregrina The remarkable pearl, known as La Peregrina, affectionately named The Wanderer, holds an enchanting and storied past that stretches across centuries. Its extraordinary journey commenced in the 16th century near Panama, where its discovery first took place. Bestowed upon his cherished wife, Queen Mary, a King Philip II of Spain, this precious gem became an emblem of beauty and opulence, boasting an astonishing weight of 56 carats and an elegant pear-shaped form. However, its most famous chapter unfolded in 1969 when Richard Burton acquired La Peregrina as an extraordinary Valentine's Day gift for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor. Astonishingly, this exceptional acquisition was secured for a mere $37,000, a fraction of its true value. The pearl's true worth became evident when it graced the auction stage in 2011, as La Peregrina garnered an astounding $11 million, a testament to its status as an extraordinary treasure. Bulgari Emerald Suite The Bulgari Emerald Suite, an exquisite ensemble of jewelry, encompasses a resplendent emerald necklace, a captivating emerald and diamond pendant, a matching pair of earrings, a stunning emerald ring, and a radiant bracelet. Notably, the pendant also doubled as a brooch. Crafted by the renowned Italian jewelry brand, Bulgari, this suite showcases a magnificent array of large and vibrant emeralds, meticulously set in a dazzling combination of platinum and diamonds. After numerous visits to the Bulgari boutique on Via Candade in Rome, Burton acquired the suite for his beloved Liz. The emerald and diamond brooch served as an engagement present, while the necklace became a cherished wedding gift. Earrings, a bracelet, and a ring soon followed, completing this remarkable set. Among them, the necklace reigns supreme, epitomizing iconic beauty and unmatched grandeur. In 2011, the esteemed set garnered tremendous attention and admiration, ultimately achieving a remarkable combined price of approximately $23 million, forever etching its place in history as a celebrated treasure within the realm of fine jewelry. One of the most renowned jewels in Elizabeth Taylor's collection was the Taylor Burton diamond, a gem that left an indelible impression due to its remarkable beauty and size. A stunning 69.42 carat pier-shaped diamond, the diamond initially found its new home at Cartier, having been purchased at an astonishing price of $1.05 million through an auction in 1969. However, fate took an unexpected turn when Richard Burton, Taylor's husband, reached out to Cartier the very next day, expressing a desire to acquire the stone for his beloved wife. Thus, the diamond was eventually christened as the Cartier diamond. The intriguing part of this tale is that the rough stone, weighing an impressive 240 carats, was initially acquired by Harry Winston himself. It was Winston who skillfully cleaved the massive gem into two parts, with the larger portion expertly fashioned into a pier-shaped diamond weighing over 60 carats. After her second divorce from Burton in 1978, Taylor sold the diamond in June 1979 to Henry Lambert, a jeweler from New York, for a figure believed to be between $3 to $5 million. Sapphire Necklace Balgari was entrusted with the prestigious task of creating a sapphire necklace for the legendary actress, Elizabeth Taylor. This extraordinary piece showcases a mesmerizing 52-point, 72-carat oval-cut blue sapphire pendant, meticulously nestled within a diamond-encrusted white gold setting, a testament to the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship of Balgari. The necklace exudes elegance with its delicate white gold chain, while the sapphire takes center stage, surrounded by a halo of round-cut diamonds, creating a striking statement piece. The necklace stands as one of the most renowned treasures within Liz Taylor's esteemed collection, epitomizing the pinnacle of Balgari's craftsmanship. During the Christie's Auction in 2011, where Elizabeth Taylor's personal collection was presented to the world, the sapphire necklace garnered significant attention. Its exceptional craftsmanship and association with the iconic actress led to a remarkable sale price of $5.9 million, a testament to its timeless appeal and status as a highly sought-after gem. Ruby and Diamond Necklace The necklace was a gift from Elizabeth's third husband, film producer Mike Todd. The story goes that while on holiday with friends in the south of France in the spring of 1957, Elizabeth was swimming laps in the pool. Suddenly, Todd appeared, laden down with red-leather jewelry boxes. Inside were several diamond and ruby pieces he'd purchased for his young wife at Cartier. This remarkable necklace was crafted as a circular and baguette-cut diamond lattice bib, adorned with seven oval and cushion-cut Burmese rubies at the front. The exquisite design extended to the circular and baguette-cut diamond neck chain, which elegantly joined together with a cushion-cut ruby and shield-shaped diamond clasp. The piece, mounted in platinum and 18-karat gold, exuded an unparalleled aura of opulence and sophistication. This exceptional jewelry piece was sold for a staggering price of almost $3.8 million at Christie's auction in 2011. The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara Although Elizabeth Taylor may not have been born into royalty, she undeniably reigned as Hollywood royalty. It comes as no surprise that her film producer husband, Mike Todd, believed she deserved her own regal tiara. In Elizabeth's own words, Todd was one of the two great loves of her life, the other being the tempestuous Richard Burton, of course. With his own considerable wealth, Todd delighted in adorning his beloved movie star wife with lavish jewelry. The tiara in question was a creation of the late 19th century, showcasing old mine-cut diamonds meticulously set in platinum and gold. These precious gems were expertly fashioned into alternating scroll and latticework elements, exuding a timeless elegance. In 1957, the year of their marriage, Todd bestowed this magnificent tiara upon Elizabeth as a symbol of his love and adoration. In a remarkable turn of events, Christie's auction house presented the jewelry piece to prospective buyers, and when the gavel fell, a buyer had surpassed all expectations, offering a staggering sum of over $4.2 million to possess a piece of Elizabeth Taylor's legacy, her cherished tiara. That's it for today, thanks for watching. Please do not forget to support my channel by clicking like and subscribe buttons.