MY PROM MAKEOVER: The Legendary Jewels of Elizabeth Taylor : Going going gone

Elizabeth Taylor, whose personal life and her loves eclipsed even her celebrated film career, amassed one of the greatest private jewelry collections in the world. A total of 269 of her personal jewels are going on sale on December 13 and 14 as part of the four-day “Collection of Elizabeth Taylor” auction at Christie’s New York.

On December 13, the auction house will present 80 of Taylor’s most iconic jewels in a special evening sale, followed by 189 additional jewels in two sale sessions on December 14. The jewels include Taylor’s most iconic diamonds, gemstones, historic jewels, and one-of-a-kind creations, as well as personal mementos and beloved gifts from her husbands and close personal friends. Christie’s estimates this collection of storied jewels will bring in more than $30 million.

“This is without a doubt the greatest private collection of jewelry ever assembled in one place,” 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,” added 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.

The collection includes examples from Bulgari, Boucheron, Cartier, JAR, Schlumberger, Tiffany and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Select highlights from the Elizabeth Taylor’s collection of magnificent jewels will go on a three-month global tour this month, starting with a public exhibition at GUM on Moscow’s Red Square on September 15, followed by public exhibitions of collection highlights in London, Los Angeles, Dubai, Geneva, Paris and Hong Kong. In December, the tour will culminate in a special ten-day exhibition of the complete collection at Christie’s New York.

Mike Todd Diamond Tiara
This antique diamond tiara, circa 1880, was a gift from her husband,
theater and film producer Mike Todd, in 1957. Estimate: $60,000 to $80,000

Emerald Earrings from

The Laurence of Arabia Gala Paris 1954

Liz's Pearl Chandelier Earrings

Liz's Emerald Necklace

Scorpion Ball Necklace

Elizabeth Taylor Diamond

The 33-carat, D color, potentially internally flawless diamond set on a ring was a gift from her husband, Richard Burton. The celebrated actor gave her the ring on May 16, 1968. It was considered the most iconic of her white diamonds and was the ring she wore nearly every day. The auction estimate is
$2.5 million to $3.5 million.

La Peregrina - The Legendary Pearl

Pearl, ruby and diamond necklace with a 203-grain pear-shaped pearl discovered in the 16th Century as its centerpiece. Designed by Elizabeth Taylor, with Al Durante of Cartier, it was a gift from Richard Burton on January 23, 1969. The pearl, discovered in the early 1500s in the Gulf of Panama, became part of the crown jewels of Spain. Prince Philip II of Spain gave it as a wedding gift to his wife, Mary Tudor of England, and it later passed on to the Spanish queens Margarita and Isabel, who wore the pearl in 17th century portraits painted by Velazquez. Richard Burton famously purchased the pearl for Taylor at auction in 1969 for $37,000. Inspired by a 16th century portrait of Mary Queen of Scots, Taylor commissioned Cartier to design a new mount of matched natural pearls and rubies. Auction estimate: $2 million to $3 million.

Richard Burton Ruby and Diamond Ring
The 8.24-carat ruby and diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels was a Christmas gift from husband Richard Burton in 1968. Estimate: $1 million – $1.5 million.

BVLGARI Emerald Suite
The suite of emerald and diamond jewelry from the Italian jewelry house, Bulgari was a gift from Richard Burton, the result of several trips to the Bulgari boutique on the Via Condotti in Rome from 1962 - 1967. Necklace estimate: $1 million to $1.5 million Pendant estimate: $500,000 – $700,000 Ring estimate: $600,000 - $800,000 Bracelet estimate: $300,000 – $500,000 Earrings estimate: $150,000- $200,000

Cartier Ruby Suite

The suite of ruby and diamond jewelry by Cartier was a gift from her husband, theater and film producer Mike Todd, on August 1957. Necklace Estimate: $200,000 – $300,000 Bracelet Estimate: $150,000 – $200,000 Earrings Estimate: $80,000 – $120,000