Elizabeth Taylor Jewellery Auction

December 13 is the day the impressive collection of jewellery owned by Elizabeth Taylor will be auctioned by Christie's.

Starting with number 5, these are my favourites.

The Taj Mahal Diamond

Set with an inscribed heart-shaped table-cut diamond, within a red stone and jade mount set with table-cut diamonds, the reverse decorated with an enamel latticework motif, hanging from a gold neck chain set with cabochon rubies and old mine-cut diamonds mounted in gold. The heart shape diamond is engraved with the Islamic date 1037 (1627-1628). The gold chain circa 1972.
Estimate $300,000 - $500,000

Sapphire and Diamond Sautoir

A necklace of pave-set diamond and calibre-cut sapphire set in platinum. The pendant is set with a cabochon sapphire of approx 52.72 carats surrounded with calibre cut sapphire and diamonds. The pendant is detachable. Made by Bulgari in 1969.

Estimate $600,000 - $800,000

The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara

Old mine-cut diamonds set in platinum and gold. Circa 1880. Because every girl needs to wear a tiara while cleaning the house.

Estimate $60,000 - $80,000

The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond Ring

A rectangular diamond weighing approx 33.19 with tapered baguette diamonds on the shoulders mounted in platinum. The ring was given to Elizabeth by Richard Burton.

The Prince of Wales Brooch

Designed as a plume of three circular-cut diamond feathers signifying the Prince of Wales, with baguette-cut diamond spines, gathered by a circular and single-cut diamond crown, mounted in platinum and gold, circa 1935

Originally given to the Duchess of Windsor by King Edward VIII while still the Prince of Wales. Among the jewellery auctioned after the Duchess' death, Elizabeth outbid Prince Charles. I wonder if he will be bidding again.

Estimate $400,000 - $600,000

La Peregrina

The natural pearl weighs approx 202.24 grains or 50.56 carats measuring approx 17.35-17.90 x 25.50mm. This pearl dates from the late 16th century. The bail is set with mine and rose cut diamonds in silver. The bail dates from the early 19th century. The necklace consists of 56 natural pearls, 4 cultured pearls and diamond and ruby stations made of platinum and gold. Elizabeth had Cartier make the necklace in 1972. Personally I prefer the seed pearl and platinum chain that accompanied the pearl drop when Richard Burton purchased it in 1969.

Estimate $2,000,000 - $3,000,000

Check back later in the week when I will update the actual selling prices.

Elizabeth Taylor's Jewellery Auction - Part 2

Part 2 of our look at the Elizabeth Taylor jewellery to be auctioned by Christie's

The Cartier ruby and diamond necklace Elizabeth received from Mike Todd while expecting their daughter, Liza.

Made by Cartier, this necklace has baguette cut diamonds with 7 oval cushion cut rubies. All are mounted in platinum and 18k gold. At just 14 inches in length, it is meant to sit at the base of your throat.

Estimated at $200,000 - $300.000The matching earrings are set with 3 oval cushion cut rubies and baguette cut diamonds in platinum and 18k settings.

Estimated $80,000-$120,000

To complete the set - a ruby and diamond bracelet. Ten oval cushion cut rubies and round cut diamonds in platinum and 18k gold. The bracelet is 6½ inches in length.

Estimated $150,000-$200,000


Not belonging to this set but would be a nice addition

A Christmas gift from Richard Burton, this oval cut ruby is approximately 8.24 carats set in a circle of round cut diamonds. The shoulders are set with small round diamonds. The unusual part of this ring is that the diamonds are actually set with yellow gold claws. Usually the claws are tipped with white gold or platinum so that the diamonds don't pick up the yellow colour.

Estimated $1,000,000-$1,500,000



Success is a great deodorant.
Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor - Her Jewellery

Update: the jewellery auction has now taken place. The results are here.

By now we've all heard that Christie's Auction House will be selling Elizabeth Taylor's jewellery collection.

Elizabeth's engagement ring from Mike Todd. A magnificent 29.4-carat diamond she called her skating rink.

The Cartier ruby and diamond necklace she received from Mike Todd while expecting their daughter, Liza. A bracelet and pair of earrings completed the set.

The original pair of these earrings were purchased on the Place Vendome-the famous Paris jewellery street. They were actually "paste" but Elizabeth loved them. A few months later Mike Todd surprised Elizabeth by having the pair made up with real diamonds.

The Bulgari Emerald and Diamond necklace Richard Burton gave her while they were working on the movie "Cleopatra". The pendant is actually a brooch and was an engagement gift from Richard Burton in 1962.

Richard Burton later purchased this matching ring. The set also included earrings and a bracelet.

Richard Burton purchased The Taj Mahal from Cartier for Elizabeth's 40th birthday. It is set with an engraved heart-shaped diamond within a mount of red stones and jade and suspended from a woven-gold chain enhanced by cabochon rubies.

The Krupp Diamond - a 33.19-carat diamond purchased from Harry Winston. Richard Burton paid $305,000. for it in May 1968.

Red is for Wales. Richard Burton kept telling Elizabeth he was going to buy her a ruby-the most perfect ruby in the world. Elizabeth received this for Christmas one year.

La Peregrina. One of the world's finest examples of a pear-shaped pearl. It had been discovered by a slave in the 1500's. Richard Burton gave this to Elizabeth in 1969.

Just a few months after giving Elizabeth the Peregrina, this 69.42-carat diamond came up for auction. Cartier won it by paying $1,050,000. (that's one million fifty thousand). Richard purchased it from Cartier before the ink was dry on the cheque for- are you ready- $2million. The diamond was orginally set in a ring but it was "too big" so they had Cartier design a necklace. The necklace part are pear- shaped diamonds. In this picture Elizabeth is wearing her largest diamonds -the Krupp and Taylor-Burton - and her smallest diamond, the ping-pong ring. She won this playing ping-pong with Richard Burton.

These are just a few of the wonderful pieces Elizabeth owned. Lucky Lady!

all pictures from the InStyle excerpt from the book Elzabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry

Next time - The Royal Jewels