ELIZABETH TAYLOR’S BAUBLES, BANGLES AND BEADS FOR AUCTION

 

Actress Elizabeth Taylor was well-known for her glamorous baubles. Now, the Taylor estate is auctioning some of her most famous jewels to the public, and sales are expected to bring in $30 million. The Christie's auction will take place in New York on Dec. 13 through Dec. 14.

"These are the top jewels that Elizabeth Taylor received from the great loves of her life, Mike Todd and Richard Burton," Christie's jewellery expert Rahul Kadakia said. "They're from moments in life that were very dear to her."

Taylor expressed her wish to have her jewellery auctioned off after her death in her 2002 book, "My Love Affair with Jewellery." "I never, never thought of my jewellery as trophies," she wrote in the memoir that details where and when she got most of her jewellery. "I'm here to take care of them and to love them. When I die and they go off to auction I hope whoever buys them gives them a really good home." Taylor died in March 2011 at the age of 79.

Included in the lot is the famed 33.19 carat diamond platinum ring, known as the Elizabeth Taylor diamond, from ex-husband Richard Burton. Burton purchased the ring at an auction in 1968 for $305,000. It is expected to bring in $2.5 million to $3 million. "Elizabeth Taylor used to refer to it as her baby, and wore it as much and as often as she could," said Kadakia.

Also up for auction is a 16th-century La Peregrina, one of the largest and most symmetrically perfect pear-shaped pearls in the world, which Burton purchased for Taylor in 1969 as a Valentine's Day gift. Burton purchased the pearl for $37,000, outbidding a member of the Spanish royal family. The pearl was then incorporated into a diamond and ruby necklace design by Cartier, which was inspired by the famous Velazquez portraits of Spain's Queen Margarita and Queen Isabel. It is estimated to fetch $2 million to $3 million at the Christie's auction.

Eighty of the most famous pieces will be sold on Dec. 13. The following day, 189 more gems will be sold. About 500 pieces of Taylor's costume jewellery will be sold online at the same time. The entire collection will be exhibited from Dec. 3-10 at Christie's New York galleries. A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition admissions and publications related to the sales will be donated to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Christie's also will be selling the star's haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion, accessories, 20th-century decorative arts, and film memorabilia from her Bel Air home on Dec. 14-16. Details have not been released.

The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond

"The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond," from her estate, is a 33.19 carat, D color, VS1 clarity diamond, given to Taylor by Richard Burton and estimated at $2,500,000-$3,500,000.

The Mike Todd Tiara

Elizabeth Taylor's "The Mike Todd Tiara," estimated at $60,000-$80,000, is shown in this photograph at Christie's in New York

Suite of Kunzite "Triphanes"

Part of a Suite of Kunzite, amethyst and diamond "Triphanes" jewellery by Van Cleef & Arpels, from Elizabeth Taylor's estate. It is estimated at $70,000-$100,000.

The Taj Mahal Diamond

Elizabeth Taylor's "The Taj Mahal Diamond," circa 1627-1628, on a gold and ruby chain by Cartier, was a gift from Richard Burton for her 40th birthday in 1972. It is estimated at $300,000-$500,000 and is shown in this photograph at Christie's in New York.

La Peregrina

Elizabeth Taylor's "La Peregrina" is an early 16th century pearl, ruby and diamond necklace by Cartier. It was a gift from Richard Burton and is estimated at $2,000,000 - $3,000,000.

Snake bracelet watch

Elizabeth Taylor's diamond, emerald and gold "Snake" bracelet watch, by Bulgari, circa 1961, estimated at $12,000-$15,000.

Ball ear clips

Elizabeth Taylor's diamond and multi-colored sapphire "Ball" ear clips, from JARS, estimated at $100,000-$150,000.

The Prince of Wales Brooch

Elizabeth Taylor's "The Prince of Wales Brooch," estimated at $400,000 - $600,000, is shown in this photograph at Christie's in New York.

Emerald and Diamond

Elizabeth Taylor's emerald and diamond necklace and pendant, attached at the bottom, part of a suite by Bulgari, a gift of Richard Burton.

Gold and Ivory necklace

Elizabeth Taylor's gold and ivory necklace featuring ivory opera passes, circa 18th and 19th centuries was a gift from the estate of Edith Head. It is estimated at $1,500-$2,000.

Ruby and Diamond necklace

Elizabeth Taylor's ruby and diamond necklace, a gift from Mike Todd, estimated at $200,000-$300,000, is shown in this photograph at Christie's in New York.