Elizabeth Taylor was passionately fond of jewellery. She knew, not only which pieces to choose (becoming a real expert on the subject) but also how to wear them.
When she died at the age of 79 years old, she left behind her one of the largest collections of jewellery in the world.
Her collection was partly purchased by her seven husbands and partly purchased by herself, her pieces help us to run over her life and her professional career, as an example, the brooch "Night of the Iguana" was designed by Jean Schlumberger (Tyffany & Co.) on the occasion of the premiere of the same title movie.
 |
| Christie's “The Night of the Iguana Brooch” A Diamond and Multi-Gem Brooch by Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co., circa 1964 |
Bvlgari's suite, was created with the suite of emeralds of the Grand Duchess Vladimir. This suite was bought in Rome during the shoot of the movie Cleopatra, Richard Burton offered her the pin-pendant as an engagement gift, the necklace as a wedding gift, and the pear shaped emeralds earrings, two rings and a bracelet completed the set.
Burton said : "the only Italian word Elizabeth knows in italian is Bvlgari "
 |
| Christie's A Suite of Emerald and Diamond Jewelry By Bvlgari, 1958-1963 |
Cartier suite was a gift from her third husband Mike Todd.
 |
| Christie's A Suite of Ruby and Diamond Jewelry By Cartier |
"La Peregrina", the historical and perfect pear-shaped pearl, was discovered in the early sixteenth century and found in the Gulf of Panama.
The pearl had many owners: Queen Mary Tudor, Queen Margaret of Austria, King Philip III, Joseph Bonaparte, the Marquis of Abercom ... until in 1969 Burton bought it at an auction for 37,000 dollars. The necklace for the pearl was designed by Taylor and Al Durante, from Cartier.
The actress herself related the anecdote of how at Caesars Palace Hotel, in Las Vegas, the pearl detached, she got barefoot and felt the thick carpet, and then realized that her poodle had the pearl in the mouth! Fortunately, the pearl did not suffer a scratch.
 |
| Christie's La Pérégrina Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Necklace, by Cartier |
The " Taj Majal Pendentif" is a diamond engraved with Mughal inscriptions. It was a gift from the Emperor Shah Jahan to his favorite wife before building in Agra the famous white marble tomb.
Elizabeth had it as a gift from Burton for her 40th birthday.
 |
| Christie's The Taj Mahal Diamond Circa 1627 – 28 Gold and Ruby Chain, by Cartier |
The brooch "Prince of Wales" has three feathers and a crown with diamonds, and it belonged to the Duchess of Windsor.
 |
| Christie's “The Prince of Wales Brooch” A Diamond Brooch, circa 1935 |
The ping-pong ring, is so called because Taylor won it in a bet, playing ping-pong against Burton.
 |
| Christie's “The Ping-Pong Diamond” A Group of Three Diamond Rings |
The Burton diamond with 33.19 carats, which belonged to the collection of Vera von Bohlen und Halbach, was a gift from Richard Burton in 1968.
 |
| Christie's The Burton/Elizabeth Taylor Diamond |
JAR (Joël Arthur Rosenthal) himself offered her, for her 70 birthday, a diamond ring with a heart of platinum with an E and the infinity sign engraved.
Elizabeth Taylor was aware of the importance of her collection, but she was also aware of the fact that the possession of it was something very ephemeral.
On the 13th and 14th December Christie's will auction 269 pieces of jewelry in New York, valued over 30 million dollars.
