The great jewelry collections of the world might belong to maharajas or heads of state—but Elizabeth Taylor gave them a run for their money. Some of Taylor’s most iconic pieces will hit the block this week at a four-day sale at Christie’s in New York between Dec. 13 and Dec. 16. The auction will feature 269 pieces of jewels estimated in excess of $30 million, in addition to items from her closet, such as a glittering Versace jacket adorned with the face of Queen Elizabeth I, and copious amounts of her memorabilia, including a dog-eared copy of National Velvet. But it is the jewelry collection that reads like a narrative of her life—and her greatest love affairs. Several pieces, such as a circular-cut diamond ribbon bow valued between $5,000 and $7,000, are gifts from Taylor’s close friend Michael Jackson. Also featured are the diamond and cultured pearl earrings Taylor wore to the Academy Awards in 1960, when she won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in Butterfield 8, and two diamond-encrusted wedding bands given to Taylor by Richard Burton upon their two marriages in 1964 and 1975, valued between $6,000 and $8,000. “This is without a doubt the greatest private collection of jewelry ever assembled in one place,” said Marc Porter, chairman and president of Christie’s Americas. In keeping with Taylor’s life of humanitarianism, a portion of the profits from the sale will go to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Terry O'Neill / Getty Images
Sapphire and diamond sautoir by Bulgari, 1969
Gift from Richard Burton, for Taylor’s 40th birthday, 1972
Estimate: $600,000–$800,000
From left: Terry O'Neill / Getty Images; Christie's Images Ltd. 2011
Suite of emerald and diamond jewelry by Bulgari, 1958-63;
Gift from Richard Burton to Taylor
Necklace estimate: $1 million–$1.5 million
Bracelet estimate: $300,000–$500,000
From left: AP Photo; Christie's Images Ltd. 2011
Emerald and diamond flower brooch, by Bulgari, 1960
Estimate: $200,000-$300,000
From left: Bettmann / Corbis; Christie's Images Ltd. 2011
Suite of ruby and diamond jewels by Cartier
Gift from Mike Todd to Taylor in August 1957
Necklace estimate: $200,000–$300,000
Bracelet estimate: $150,000–$200,000
Earrings estimate: $80,000–$120,000
From left: Bob Haswell, Express / Getty Images; Christie's Images Ltd. 2011
Pair of tear-drop emerald and diamond earrings weighing 9.50 and 8.44 cts, by Bulgari
Estimate: $150,000-$200,000
“The Mike Todd Diamond Necklace," a Belle Epoque diamond necklace, circa 1900
Gift from Mike Todd to Taylor in 1957
Estimate: $25,000-$35,000
