World Record For Taylor's Jewelry At Christie's

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor's legendary diamonds fetched record prices at Christie's Auction House on December 13, 2011 in Midtown New York. According to Forbes, Taylor's jewelry brought in nearly $116 million at auction, a world record for a private collection of jewels. Collectors and fans of the Hollywood actress packed Christie’s auction house for the chance to own one of Taylor’s prized possessions. The crown jewel of her collection was an iconic 33-carat flawless white diamond ring (Krupp Diamond), a gift from husband Richard Burton. Another Burton gift was a Bulgari emerald and diamond necklace, which sold for $5.4 million. Elizabeth Taylor wore many of her jewelry in her films (Boom, Ash Wednesday or Divorce).

Eighty earrings, necklaces, pendants and rings went under the gavel, including a diamond and sapphire ring, given to Taylor by Michael Jackson. It fetched $600,000. Experts called the event one of the most important jewelry auctions in a generation. It took Liz Taylor a lifetime to amass her jewelry collection. Christie’s said it is among the finest in the world. And as rich as Taylor’s jewels are, so are the stories that come with them. There was the Cartier diamond tiara, which she wore to the 1957 Academy Awards. It was a gift from her third husband, Hollywood producer Mike Todd. After a fierce bidding battle, the rare pearl necklace, known as “La Peregrina” which Queen Mary Tudor of England once owned, sold for a staggering price $10.5 million – a record for any pearl jewel. But for the well-heeled bidders, the legend of Taylor makes her jewels priceless.

Other sales of Taylor's art, clothing and memorabilia will be held in New York for another three days; part of the proceeds from all sales will go towards The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.