The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, of 33.19 carats D color, VS1 clarity, potentially internally flawless Gift from Richard Burton Purchased from Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York May 16, 1968 Estimate: $2,500,000 – 3,500,000 (In 1969 he paid $305,000 for it) UPDATE: IT MADE $8,818,500, a world auction record for a colourless diamond by carat.A Suite of Ruby and Diamond Jewelry By Cartier Gift from Mike Todd, August 1957 Necklace estimate: $200,000 – 300,000 Bracelet estimate: $150,000 – 200,000 Earrings estimate: $80,000 – 120,000
DETAILS of the fabulous Elizabeth Taylor jewellery collection have been released by
Christie’s. The dazzling array, including diamonds, gemstones, historic jewels, and one-of-a-kind creations comprises 269 magnificent jewels.
Most were gifts from Mike Todd – the only one of Taylor’s seven husbands whom she did not divorce (he died after a year of marriage) and Richard Burton. The collection, to be sold in New York in December, is estimated to achieve well in excess of $30 million.
“This is without a doubt the greatest private collection of jewelry ever assembled in one place, and Christie’s is honored to have been entrusted with the global tour of the collection this fall, and the sale of the collection in its entirety this December,” said Marc Porter, Chairman and President of Christie’s Americas.
“Elizabeth Taylor’s passion for jewelry was well-known, but it is her depth of knowledge about fine jewelry that truly impresses,” said François Curiel, International Jewelry Director and President of Christie’s Asia. “From the first time I met her in 1998, it was clear that she possessed an expert’s eye for craftsmanship, rarity, quality and history. She collected the best pieces from the best periods, and as a result her collection boasts exquisite examples from the most celebrated of jewelry designers, including BVLGARI, Boucheron, Cartier, JAR, Schlumberger, Tiffany, and Van Cleef & Arpels, among others.
On December 13, 2011, Christie’s New York will present 80 of Ms. Taylor’s most iconic jewels in a special Evening Sale, followed by 189 additional jewels in two Day Sale sessions on December 14. (CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)
Tour Dates and Locations: Highlights from The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor
September 15 & 16, GUM, Red Square, Moscow,
September 24, 25 & 26, Christie’s, London
October 13, 14, 15 & 16, MOCA Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles
October 23 Emirates Tower Hotel, Dubai
November 11 & 12 Four Seasons Hotel de Bergues, Geneva
November 16 & 17 Christie’s Paris
November 24, 25, 26 & 27 Hong Kong Convention Center
December 3 – 12 Christie’s New York
See antiquesandartireland.com post for June 29.
A Pair of Diamond and Multi-Colored Sapphire “Ball” Ear Clips By JAR Purchased in Paris, December 2001 Estimate: $100,000 – 150,000 UPDATE: THESE MADE $602,500.
Emerald and Diamond Jewelry By BVLGARI, Ring estimate: $600,000 -800,000. UPDATE: THIS MADE $3,330,500
The Burton Wedding Bands (to be sold on December 14) Estimate: $6,000-8,000. These diamond-set wedding bands were given by Burton on their marriages in 1964 in Montreal and in 1975 in Botswana. UPDATE: THEY MADE $1,022,500
A Ruby and Diamond Ring, of 8.24 carats By Van Cleef & Arpels, 1968 Gift from Richard Burton, Christmas 1968 Estimate: $1,000,000 – 1,500,000 UPDATE: IT MADE $4,226,500 A WORLD AUCTION RECORD PER CARAT PER RUBY.
