GEM & JEWELRY ARTICLE

Elizabeth Taylor's $150 million Jewelry Collection

The famous Elizabeth Taylor gem and jewelry collection is on auction at Christies for a reported $150 million....

Nicky Thomas

Gemstone & Jewelry
Style & Trends Editor

It’s official. Christie's auction house will be auctioning off Elizabeth Taylor's renowned jewelry collection, as well as some of her art, clothing and other personal memorabilia. The international auction house announced April 9 that it has reached an agreement with Taylor’s family and is planning a series of upcoming auctions — dates will be announced later this spring.
 
Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills President/CEO Peter Sedghi told People Magazine, "She had a collection like I've never seen before, and she knew exactly what every one was -- what the diamonds were, the quality. But it was more for her; it was ... the history behind it. A lot of them had sentimental value." Taylor's jewelry collection, which includes pieces from Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany and Boucheron, is estimated to be worth $150 million. Some spectacular Tanzanites are thought to be included in the collection.
 
Most of the iconic movie star’s gems were gifts from the men who adored her. Richard Burton, whom she met on the set of 1963’s Cleopatra, especially loved to surprise her with emerald, ruby and diamond baubles. “Richard gave me some spectacular gifts on birthdays and Christmas, but in truth he’d use any excuse to give me a piece of jewelry,” Taylor wrote in her 2002 book My Love Affair With Jewelry. Taylor died last month at age 79. Proceeds from the sale will likely benefit her AIDS foundation and amfAR, the charity she helped found near the beginning of the epidemic in 1985. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nicky Thomas

Educated at the University of Exeter and a key part of our team here at The Rare Gemstone Company, Nicky has been fascinated by gemstones and jewelry since childhood. She explores all areas of the industry in her blog and revels in the proximity to gems and jewels that working at the source of some of the world’s most beautiful and rarest gemstones provides her.

Latest Articles

The Definitive Guide to Birthstones

There has always been a human “need” to own and wear minerals that have been believed to be sacred or special and this has spurred us to collect them. Perhaps this is the lure to have our birth month represented by a wonderful natural mineral

Largest Tanzanite In History Discovered

A Tanzanian small-scale miner has just discovered the biggest Tanzanites in history, worth $3.3m

How To Care, Clean And Store Jewelry

Not sure how to properly clean and care for your jewelry? Here is your guide to help you keep your precious pieces looking gorgeous forever.

Blue And Green Reign Supreme At Golden Globes 2020

This year’s 77th Annual Golden Globes have been jam packed with yet again some sensational colored gemstone jewelry, but is has been Emerald and Sapphires taking most of the lime light.