There is no doubt that Elizabeth Taylor is a legend on and off the silver screen… but it could be argued that her extensive collection of jewelry is just as legendary as she was. Since her death, the fate of her 269 piece jewelry collection has been in limbo; but not it’s fate has been decided. Her collection of metal and stones valued at over $150 million be up for auction this December at Christie’s New York auction house. As a jewelry enthusiast, I’m giddy just thinking about it…
Taylor stated in her 2002 book, My Love Affair With Jewelry, “As I look at some of my jewels I realize what a very lucky girl I am. Sometimes I wonder what will become of everything, because just like the Duchess of Windsor’s collection, they will all be up for auction one day. They will be scattered to the four corners of the world, and I hope that whoever buys each piece loves it as much as I do and takes care of it and realizes that having jewelry is a temporary gift. In truth, we ‘owners’ are just the caretakers. Nobody owns beautiful paintings. Nobody ever owns anything this beautiful. We are only the guardians.” Her sentiments seem oddly prophetic, but also realistic to the fact that jewelry is only a temporal asset.
The cache of jewelry will be touring internationally between now and December, and will be exhibited to the public from December 3rd through the 12th in New York. And, a portion of the money raised from these viewings will go to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. The auction of the collection will begin immediately following the New York viewing.
The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara An Antique Diamond Tiara, circa 1880 Gift fromMike Todd, 1957 Estimate: $60,000-80,000
La Peregrina – The Legendary Pearl 16th Century Pearl Ruby and Diamond Necklace designed by Elizabeth Taylor, with Al Durante of Cartier Gift from Richard Burton, January 23, 1969 Estimate: $2,000,000 – 3,000,000
The Cleopatra Mirror, A Turquoise and Gold Mirror By BVULGARI, Estimate: $8,000-12,000
The Burton Wedding Bands, Estimate: $6,000-8,000
oh mah gawd, that mirror is amazing.