Few celebrities have ever captured the world's attention quite like Elizabeth Taylor. Known for her extraordinary beauty, iconic film career, and larger-than-life romances, Taylor also built one of the most remarkable private jewelry collections ever assembled.
When Christie’s auctioned The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor in December 2011, the results stunned the jewelry world. The estate realized an incredible $156.8 million, making it the most valuable private jewelry collection ever sold at auction and one of the most successful celebrity estate sales in history. Every single lot sold. Collectors from 36 countries competed for the opportunity to own a piece of Hollywood history.
But the story behind the collection is even more fascinating than the final price tag.
The Life Behind the Jewels
Born in 1932 in London, Elizabeth Taylor became one of Hollywood's biggest stars during the Golden Age of cinema. She appeared in legendary films such as Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, winning two Academy Awards during her career.
Taylor's personal life was nearly as famous as her movies. She was married eight times to seven different husbands, and many of the extraordinary jewels in her collection were gifts from the men who loved her. Unlike many collectors who lock their treasures away, Taylor wore her jewelry constantly. Whether attending a royal event, filming on set, or simply spending time at home, she believed jewelry should be enjoyed and lived in.
The Husbands Who Built the Collection
Mike Todd
Taylor often referred to film producer and third husband Mike Todd as one of the great loves of her life. Todd showered her with spectacular gifts, including a magnificent diamond tiara and a Cartier ruby and diamond necklace. These pieces helped establish her passion for collecting exceptional jewelry.
Richard Burton
No one contributed more to Taylor's collection than her fifth and sixth husband, Richard Burton.
Burton famously said that introducing Elizabeth to beer was the second greatest achievement of his life; the first was introducing her to Bulgari.
During their turbulent romance, Burton purchased some of the most famous jewels ever owned by a celebrity, including:
- The Taylor-Burton Diamond
- The Krupp Diamond Ring
- La Peregrina Pearl
- Numerous Bulgari emerald, sapphire, and diamond creations
Their love story became intertwined with the jewelry itself, transforming the pieces into symbols of one of Hollywood's most famous romances.
The Crown Jewel: La Peregrina Pearl
The most valuable item in the sale was La Peregrina, arguably the most famous pearl in history.
Discovered in the 1500s, the pear-shaped pearl passed through Spanish royalty for centuries before eventually finding its way into Richard Burton's hands. Burton purchased the pearl for Taylor in 1969.
Years later, Cartier redesigned it into a spectacular necklace featuring diamonds, rubies, and cultured pearls.
At Christie's auction, La Peregrina sold for an astonishing $11.84 million—far exceeding expectations and setting a world record for a pearl jewel at the time.
The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond (Formerly the Krupp Diamond)
Perhaps the piece most closely associated with Taylor was the 33.19-carat Asscher-cut Krupp Diamond, a gift from Richard Burton.
Taylor adored the ring and wore it almost daily. Friends often joked that she treated the enormous diamond like costume jewelry because she wore it everywhere.
At the 2011 auction, the ring sold for approximately $8.8 million and was later renamed the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond.
The Legendary Taylor-Burton Diamond
One of the most famous diamonds ever purchased, the 69.42-carat Taylor-Burton Diamond became an international sensation when Burton acquired it in 1969.
The diamond itself was sold by Taylor years before her death to fund the construction of a hospital in Botswana, meaning it was not part of the Christie's estate sale. However, it remains one of the defining pieces in her jewelry legacy.
The Bulgari Emerald Collection: A Love Story Told Through Gemstones
If one jewelry collection perfectly represented the romance between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, it was her legendary Bulgari emerald suite.
Burton gifted many of the pieces during the filming of Cleopatra in Rome, where their famous love affair began. The collection eventually became one of the most celebrated celebrity jewelry suites in history and the most valuable grouping sold at Christie's auction. (Skyjems.ca)
The centerpiece was an extraordinary emerald and diamond necklace featuring Colombian emeralds surrounded by brilliant diamonds. The necklace was designed so that a detachable emerald pendant could be worn separately, adding versatility to an already magnificent piece. Christie's described the necklace as containing sixteen exceptional emeralds, many of Colombian origin, renowned for their rich green color and rarity. (Christie's)
What made the suite even more special was the story behind it. Burton gave Taylor the first emerald ring in the collection in 1962 as one of his earliest gifts to her. That ring later became known among collectors as the "Taylor-Burton fiancée ring." At auction, the ring dramatically exceeded estimates and sold for more than $3.3 million. (thejewelleryeditor.com)
The complete emerald suite included:
- The emerald and diamond necklace
- A detachable emerald pendant
- Matching bracelet
- Emerald ring
- Matching earrings
- Emerald and diamond brooch
Together, the suite realized nearly $24 million, making it one of the most valuable jewelry groupings in the entire sale. The necklace alone sold for more than $6 million, while the pendant brought over $6.5 million. (Skyjems.ca)
More than simply valuable gemstones, these pieces symbolized one of Hollywood's greatest love stories. Every emerald represented a chapter in the passionate and often turbulent relationship between Taylor and Burton.
The Van Cleef & Arpels Daisy Necklace: One of Taylor's Most Charming Treasures
While Elizabeth Taylor is often remembered for enormous diamonds and historic pearls, some of her most beloved pieces showcased her playful side.
Among them was the enchanting Van Cleef & Arpels "Reine Marguerite" Daisy Parure.
Created in the early 1990s, the suite featured a necklace, brooch, and matching earrings designed as a field of blooming daisies. Each flower was crafted from brilliant white diamonds surrounding yellow diamond centers, while carved chrysoprase leaves added a vibrant green accent throughout the design. Van Cleef & Arpels named the collection "Reine Marguerite," which translates to "Queen Daisy." (Christie's)
Unlike some of Taylor's historic royal jewels, the Daisy Parure reflected her love of whimsical and feminine designs. The piece demonstrated that her collection was not solely about size and value; she also appreciated artistry, craftsmanship, and joy.
The necklace itself featured a graduated arrangement of daisy blossoms that appeared almost lifelike when worn. The yellow diamond centers created warmth and dimension, while the chrysoprase leaves provided a soft contrast against the diamonds. Christie's described it as one of the most distinctive Van Cleef & Arpels creations in the collection. (Christie's)
Today, jewelry enthusiasts still cite the Daisy Parure as one of the most memorable pieces from the entire auction. Among collectors and jewelry historians, it remains a favorite example of Taylor's ability to collect pieces that were both glamorous and deeply personal. (Reddit)
Why These Pieces Matter Today
The Bulgari emerald suite and the Van Cleef & Arpels Daisy Parure perfectly illustrate two sides of Elizabeth Taylor's collecting philosophy.
The emerald collection represented grand romance, historic gemstones, and Hollywood spectacle. The Daisy Parure reflected her playful personality, appreciation for design, and love of beautiful craftsmanship.
Together, they helped transform the Christie's sale into the record-breaking $156.8 million event that forever changed the market for celebrity-owned jewelry. More than a decade later, these pieces continue to influence collectors, designers, and luxury jewelry enthusiasts around the world. (Skyjems.ca)
More Than Jewelry
While the jewels attracted most of the headlines, the auction also included:
- Designer gowns
- Handbags
- Fine art
- Film memorabilia
- Decorative arts
- Personal accessories
The online portion of the sale alone generated over $9.5 million, while the complete collection encompassed more than 1,700 lots. Every item found a buyer.
Why the Collection Sold for So Much
The sale demonstrated a powerful truth in the auction world: provenance matters.
These weren't simply diamonds, pearls, emeralds, and rubies. They were jewels that had attended Academy Awards, royal galas, movie premieres, and some of the most famous social events of the twentieth century.
Collectors weren't just purchasing gemstones; they were purchasing a connection to Elizabeth Taylor herself.
Many pieces sold for multiples of their pre-sale estimates, with some bringing ten, twenty, or even fifty times what experts expected. The result permanently changed how auction houses value celebrity-owned jewelry and established a new benchmark for estate sales worldwide.
The Legacy of Elizabeth Taylor's Collection
More than a decade later, the Christie's sale remains one of the most important jewelry auctions ever conducted. It proved that exceptional gemstones combined with an extraordinary story can create unparalleled value.
Elizabeth Taylor once described herself as merely the temporary custodian of her jewels. After her passing, those treasures moved on to a new generation of collectors, but the stories behind them remain as captivating as ever.
For estate buyers, jewelry collectors, and lovers of Hollywood history, the Elizabeth Taylor Collection serves as the ultimate reminder that great jewelry is about more than carats and gemstones. The memories, stories, and history attached to a piece can make it truly priceless.
