Christie’s has announced that Liz Taylor’s jewellery collection, valued at $150 million, which includes some of the world’s priciest stones, will be sold at auction.
Christie’s has said it has reached an agreement with Elizabeth Taylor’s family to sell her prized Jewelry Collection, as well as some of her art, clothing and other memorabilia.
Taylor was a famous lover of diamonds and other precious stones. Her collection includes the 33-carat Krupp Diamond ring, the heart-shaped Taj Mahal diamond necklace, the Peregrina Pearl and the Duchess of Windsor diamond brooch. There is also the 69-carat Taylor-Burton diamond from Richard Burton, whom she married twice and a crystal and diamond lily of the valley brooch from Rex Harrison, with whom she co-starred in the movie epic Cleopatra.
I wanted to give others a glimpse of the thrills and pure happiness that these beautiful creations have given me, Taylor wrote of her lifelong fascination in her book My Love Affair with Jewelry. I don’t believe I own any of these pieces. I believe I am their custodian, here to enjoy them, to give them the best treatment in the world, to watch after their safety and to love them”
Peter Sedghi, president and CEO of Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills, said Taylor had an extensive knowledge of jewellery. To be honest, she knew more than I did [about jewellery]. When you would show her stones, she would tell you the origin, if it’s good quality, bad quality, where it came from. She had a collection like I’ve never seen before.
The auction house said it was planning a series of auctions dedicated to Taylor. Details of the auction will be announced this spring.
Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra
