Elizabeth Taylor's $150 Million Jewelry Collection: The Ultimate Guide to Hollywood's Most Iconic Treasures 💎
Discover the dazzling secrets behind Elizabeth Taylor's legendary $150 million jewelry collection. From the Taylor-Burton Diamond to La Peregrina Pearl, explore Hollywood's most valuable private jewelry collection ever assembled. Learn the fascinating stories behind each iconic piece. 💎👑
When it comes to celebrity jewelry collections, none can compare to the breathtaking assemblage of precious stones and metals that belonged to the incomparable Elizabeth Taylor. The violet-eyed screen goddess amassed what would become the most valuable private collection of jewelry in the world, worth an astounding $150 million at the time of her death in 2011. 👑✨
Today, we're taking you on an exclusive journey through this unprecedented collection, revealing the stories, romance, and astronomical values behind each legendary piece. From record-breaking diamonds to historic pearls, prepare to be dazzled by the ultimate guide to Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry vault.
The Taylor-Burton Diamond: A 69-Carat Love Story
Perhaps no single piece exemplifies Elizabeth Taylor's legendary jewelry collection quite like the Taylor-Burton Diamond. In 1969, Cartier purchased this spectacular 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond for $1.05 million, setting a world record at the time. However, Richard Burton, determined to acquire it for Elizabeth, successfully negotiated its purchase the very next day.
The diamond's journey to Elizabeth's collection is as dramatic as any Hollywood script. Initially cut from a 240-carat rough diamond found in South Africa, it would become one of the most famous diamonds in the world. Burton famously quipped, "I wanted that diamond because it is incomparably lovely... and it should be on the loveliest woman in the world."
The stone was originally mounted as a ring, but Elizabeth found it too overwhelming for her hand. She had Cartier reset it as a necklace, which she wore to Princess Grace's 40th birthday celebration in Monaco and the 42nd Academy Awards. After her divorce from Burton in 1978, Elizabeth sold the diamond for $5 million, using part of the proceeds to build a hospital in Botswana.
La Peregrina: A Pearl with 500 Years of Royal History
Among Elizabeth's most historically significant pieces was La Peregrina, one of the largest and most symmetrical pear-shaped pearls ever discovered. The pearl's provenance reads like a who's who of European royalty, having been owned by Spanish queens Mary Tudor and Margaret of Austria.
Richard Burton purchased La Peregrina for Elizabeth at a Sotheby's auction in 1969 for $37,000. She commissioned Cartier to create a new setting for the pearl, resulting in a spectacular necklace featuring diamonds, rubies, and more pearls. The piece sold at Christie's in 2011 for over $11.8 million, setting a new auction record for a pearl jewel.
An amusing anecdote involves Elizabeth temporarily losing the pearl in her Las Vegas hotel suite. After a frantic search, she found her puppy chewing on it, fortunately causing no damage to the historic gem.
The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond: A 33-Carat Symbol of Daily Glamour
Originally known as the Krupp Diamond, this 33.19-carat Asscher-cut diamond was another gift from Richard Burton, purchased in 1968 for $305,000. Elizabeth wore this ring nearly every day, considering it her signature piece. At the 2011 Christie's auction, it sold for $8.8 million.
What made this diamond particularly special was not just its size but its exceptional quality. The stone was rated as a Type IIa diamond, placing it in the top 2% of the world's diamonds in terms of optical clarity. Elizabeth often referred to it as her "baby" and wore it in numerous films and public appearances.
The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara: Fit for Hollywood Royalty
While Elizabeth Taylor wasn't actually royalty, she certainly dressed the part. Movie producer Mike Todd presented her with this antique diamond tiara in 1957, demonstrating his belief that she deserved to be crowned as Hollywood's queen. Elizabeth wore the tiara to the Academy Awards in 1957, where Todd's film "Around the World in 80 Days" won Best Picture.
The Bulgari Emerald Suite: A Collection Within a Collection
Among Elizabeth's most photographed pieces was her stunning Bulgari emerald and diamond suite, accumulated over several years during the 1960s. The collection included a necklace, pendant-brooch, ring, bracelet, and earrings. Richard Burton famously said, "The only word Elizabeth knows in Italian is Bulgari."
The emerald and diamond necklace alone sold for $6.1 million at the Christie's auction. What made this suite particularly special was that Elizabeth wore these pieces both separately and together, creating different looks for various occasions. The remarkable color and clarity of the emeralds set this collection apart, even among her other spectacular jewels.
The Taj Mahal Diamond: An Indian Love Token
On Elizabeth's 40th birthday, Richard Burton gifted her the Taj Mahal Diamond, a heart-shaped diamond on a gold and ruby chain by Cartier. The diamond dates back to 1627 and was originally a gift from Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, for whom he would later build the Taj Mahal.
Burton purchased the piece for $350,000 in 1972, demonstrating his knack for finding historically significant jewelry for Elizabeth. The romantic symbolism of the piece, connected to one of history's greatest love stories, made it particularly meaningful in her collection.
The Burton Ruby: A Record-Breaking Red Gem
The Burton Ruby, set in a ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, was yet another spectacular gift from Richard Burton. The 8.24-carat ruby was particularly notable for its exceptional color and clarity, characteristics rarely found in rubies of this size. When sold at auction in 2011, it achieved a then-record price per carat for a ruby.
What made this piece particularly special was its perfect "pigeon blood" color, the most desirable shade for rubies. Elizabeth wore this ring frequently, often pairing it with other ruby pieces from her collection.
The Ping Pong Diamond Rings: A Playful Expression of Love
One of the more whimsical stories in Elizabeth's jewelry collection involves the "ping pong diamond rings." During their first marriage, Richard Burton would often challenge Elizabeth to ping pong matches. The stakes? A diamond ring. Elizabeth, being an excellent player, won several matches and consequently several diamond rings.
These pieces, while perhaps not the most valuable in her collection, perfectly exemplified the playful relationship between Elizabeth and Burton, as well as their casual approach to acquiring extraordinary jewels.
The Art of Collecting: Elizabeth's Jewelry Philosophy
What set Elizabeth Taylor's collection apart wasn't just the size or value of individual pieces, but her profound understanding and appreciation of jewelry as an art form. She once said, "I mean, how many young women get a set of rubies just for doing something wholesome like spending the night in an old lady's house?" This quote perfectly encapsulates her wit and her understanding that jewelry was more than just adornment—it was about stories, memories, and love.
Elizabeth was also known for wearing her jewelry, rather than keeping it locked away in a vault. She wore magnificent pieces while lounging by the pool, shopping, or simply having dinner at home. This approach to jewelry as something to be enjoyed rather than preserved made her collection uniquely personal.
The Record-Breaking Christie's Auction
In December 2011, Christie's held a landmark auction of Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection. The sale, titled "The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: The Legendary Jewels Evening Sale," totaled $115.9 million, setting a world record for a private jewelry collection.
The auction created unprecedented excitement in the jewelry world, with many pieces selling for multiple times their estimated values. This extraordinary result confirmed what many had long suspected: Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection was not just valuable for its gemstones and precious metals, but for its provenance and the romantic stories attached to each piece.
Legacy and Impact on Modern Jewelry Collecting
Elizabeth Taylor's approach to collecting and wearing jewelry has influenced generations of collectors and celebrities. Her collection demonstrated that jewelry could be both an investment and a source of personal joy. Modern celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga have followed in her footsteps, building their own significant jewelry collections.
Moreover, Elizabeth's collection helped establish the market for "celebrity provenance" in jewelry auctions. The fact that a piece was owned and worn by Elizabeth Taylor could multiply its value several times over, creating a new paradigm in jewelry collecting.
Investment Insights: Lessons from Elizabeth's Collection
For modern investors and collectors, Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection offers several valuable lessons:
- Quality Over Quantity: While her collection was vast, each piece was chosen for its exceptional quality and significance.
- Historical Significance: Many pieces in her collection had important historical provenance, adding to their value.
- Documentation Matters: Elizabeth kept detailed records about her jewelry, including when and where pieces were acquired.
- Wear What You Own: She believed in enjoying her jewelry rather than treating it purely as an investment.
- Love What You Buy: Each piece in her collection had personal meaning, making the collection uniquely hers.
Preservation and Care: How Elizabeth Maintained Her Collection
Elizabeth Taylor was known for taking exceptional care of her jewelry. She employed a full-time jewelry curator to maintain her collection, ensuring each piece was properly cleaned, stored, and documented. This attention to detail helped preserve both the physical condition and the value of her pieces.
Modern Applications: Building Your Own Collection
While few can aspire to a collection of Elizabeth Taylor's magnitude, her approach to jewelry collecting offers valuable insights for anyone interested in building their own collection:
- Focus on pieces that speak to you personally
- Research the history and quality of potential purchases
- Document your collection thoroughly
- Invest in proper storage and maintenance
- Consider both aesthetic and investment value
Conclusion: A Legacy in Precious Stones 💎
Elizabeth Taylor's $150 million jewelry collection remains the gold standard of private jewelry collections. More than just a assemblage of precious stones and metals, it represents a life lived passionately, filled with love, drama, and unparalleled glamour. Each piece tells a story, not just of its own creation and provenance, but of the extraordinary woman who wore it.
As we conclude this deep dive into one of history's most remarkable jewelry collections, we're reminded that true luxury is about more than just monetary value—it's about the stories, memories, and legacy that we create.
Stay Connected! 🌟
Want to learn more about luxury lifestyle, celebrity collections, and smart investing? Follow How To Buy Money on our social media platforms:
[YouTube: How To Buy Money] [Instagram: @HowToBuyMoney] [TikTok: @HowToBuyMoney]
Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and insider tips on building wealth through smart investments! 💫
#ElizabethTaylor #LuxuryJewelry #CelebrityJewels #VintageHollywood #InvestmentPieces #LuxuryLifestyle #JewelryCollection #HollywoodGlamour #DiamondCollection #LuxuryInvestment
