Elizabeth Taylor: The Auction
When we announced a few months back that screen legend Elizabeth Taylor's beautiful jewelry was going to be auctioned off in New York this winter, everyone knew how much her precious pieces were worth. But nobody, not even industry insiders, ever dreamed of how much her remarkable collection would actually fetch at auction. Here are some of her most memorable and historical pieces, and what they went for last week.
THE KRUPP DIAMOND
Sold for: $8.8 million
Now called the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond – the actress wore it nearly every day after receiving it from Burton in 1968 – this 33.19-carat, flawless gem was a favorite of the star. "My ring gives me the strangest feeling for beauty," she once said. "It sort of hums with its own beatific life."
Estimated value: $2.5 million - $3.5 million
Now called the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond – the actress wore it nearly every day after receiving it from Burton in 1968 – this 33.19-carat, flawless gem was a favorite of the star. "My ring gives me the strangest feeling for beauty," she once said. "It sort of hums with its own beatific life."
Estimated value: $2.5 million - $3.5 million
MIKE TODD TIARA
Sold for: $4.2 million
Elizabeth Taylor's third husband, producer Mike Todd, presented her with this tiara fit for a queen, which she wore to the 1957 Oscars, when Todd's Around the World in 80 Dayswon Best Picture. It was one of many items sold at Christie's New York on Dec. 13
Elizabeth Taylor's third husband, producer Mike Todd, presented her with this tiara fit for a queen, which she wore to the 1957 Oscars, when Todd's Around the World in 80 Dayswon Best Picture. It was one of many items sold at Christie's New York on Dec. 13
'REINE MARGUERITE' JEWELS
Sold for: $746,500
Created by Van Cleef & Arpels, this necklace-and-earring set is made of white diamonds, colored diamonds and chrysoprase. Taylor wore the jewels to the 1993 Academy Awards, where she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her extensive philanthropic work.
Estimated value: $200,000-$300,000
Created by Van Cleef & Arpels, this necklace-and-earring set is made of white diamonds, colored diamonds and chrysoprase. Taylor wore the jewels to the 1993 Academy Awards, where she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her extensive philanthropic work.
Estimated value: $200,000-$300,000
LA PEREGRINA
Sold for: $11.8 million
Estimated value: $2 million - $3 million
Discovered in the 1500s in the Gulf of Panama, the pear-shaped pearl on this ruby-and-diamond necklace became part of the crown jewels of Spain. Taylor's husband Richard Burton (whom she married twice) purchased the stone for her in 1969, paying $37,000 in an auction. The actress later commissioned Cartier to design the necklace, a mount for what she called "the most perfect pearl in the world."
Estimated value: $2 million - $3 million
Discovered in the 1500s in the Gulf of Panama, the pear-shaped pearl on this ruby-and-diamond necklace became part of the crown jewels of Spain. Taylor's husband Richard Burton (whom she married twice) purchased the stone for her in 1969, paying $37,000 in an auction. The actress later commissioned Cartier to design the necklace, a mount for what she called "the most perfect pearl in the world."
BURTON WEDDING BANDS
Estimated value: $6,000 - $8,000
Sold for: $6,000 - $8,000
She does! Burton gave his bride these diamond-set wedding bands upon their 1964 marriage in Montreal and their 1975 ceremony in Botswana. The first union lasted 10 years; the second ended after 10 months.
The dazzling collection (it did not only include jewelry, but also other personal objects) set the record at $116 for the highest fetching private collection at Christie's Auction house, and rightfully so. These pieces are one of a kind and very important in the history of jewelry design. One of the most important pieces, and one of my favorites, the "La Peregrina" pearl fetched The highest price for a single item – $11.8 million. The 16th-century pearl on a necklace designed by Cartier, which husband Richard Burton gave Taylor in 1969. This is remarkable because its final price also set a record for most expensive single pearl jewel. I only wish they were all mine today! Ahh a girl can only dream!
Love Always
Dani K
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