Liz Taylor’s prized jewels to be auctioned

Post Staff Report

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Sep 8, 2011

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The Edith Head Necklace Taylor always admired this necklace when she saw it worn around the neck of famed Hollywood costume designer Edith Head, whom she described as a second mother. Fashioned from a collection of ivory theater tokens, the necklace is a oneof-a-kind work expected to sell for as much as $2,000. According to Taylor, she often told Head howmuch she loved the necklace, and when the designer died in 1981, she left it to La Liz in her will. AP

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La Peregrina – The Legendary Pearl This 16th-century pearl, which, like Taylor, is considered one of the finest specimens on earth, was given to the actress by Burton on Jan., 23, 1969. He paid $37,000 at auction for the jewel, beating out a member of the Spanish royal family in a bidding war. Discovered in the 1500s in the Gulf of Panama, the stone is the equivalent of 55 carats. Taylor later commissioned Cartier to design a new mount of matched natural pearls and rubies to offset what she called “the most perfect pearl in the world.” AP

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The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara This tiara, which would put Miss America’s to shame, was given to La Liz in 1957 by her third husband, Mike Todd. “You are my queen,” Todd told her, upon presenting her the stunning headgear. Taylor wore the tiara to the 1957 Academy Awards, at which Todd’s film “Around the World in 80 Days” won Best Picture. It’s expected to sell for between $60,000 and $80,000. AP

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The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond Perhaps no piece of jewelry is more synonymous with the actress than this 33.19-carat blockbuster. A gift on May 16, 1968, from husband Richard Burton, who paid $300,000 at the time, the ring is expected to be sold for as much as $3.5 million. It was the most famous of her cherished white diamonds, and remained a constant in Taylor’s life — the ring she wore virtually every day. “My ring gives me the strangest feeling for beauty,” she said once. “With its sparks of red and white and blue and purple, and on and on, really, it sort of hums with its own beatific life.” AP

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The Taj Mahal Diamond Richard Burton, whom Taylor married twice, lavished the screen princess with enough jewels for at least that many lifetimes. For the star’s 40th birthday, he chose this stunning 1627 stone, estimated to be worth as much as $500,000. Burton, who starred in 11 films opposite Taylor, was moved by the love story the diamond told. It was originally given by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahangir to his favorite and most belovedwife, Mumtaz-i-Mahal. Her death four years later inspired him to commission the construction of the Taj Mahal. AP

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The JAR Sapphire Ear Clips Taylor’s tastes in jewelry tended toward storied houses, such as Bulgari, Cartier and Van Cleef&Arpels, but she was also drawn to the latest in contemporary design. She purchased these clips directly from designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal. “She told me, ‘My eyes are blue, like yours, sometimes green. It’s the others who think they see violet,’” he later recalled. “So, the striped balls are her vision of color, and the world’s.” They’re expected to fetch between $100,000 and $150,000. AP

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The Prince of Wales Brooch When Taylor told Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson howmuch she loved this 1935 brooch, the royal offered to make her a copy. The actress declined, but when the duchess’ collection was sold in 1987 after her death, Taylor jumped at the chance to make it her own. “It’s a royal piece that I save for very special occasions because it means so much to me,” she said later. The brooch is estimated to be worth between $400,000 and $600,000. AP

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Elizabeth Taylor’s ruby and diamond necklace, a gift from Mike Todd, is estimated at $200,000 – $300,000. AP

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Elizabeth Taylor’s emerald and diamond necklace and pendant, part of a suite by BVLGARI was a gift from Richard Burton. AP

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Elizabeth Taylor’s diamond, emerald and gold “Snake” bracelet watch, by BVLGARI, circa 1961, is estimated at $12,000 – $15,000. AP

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Part of a suite of kunzite, amethyst and diamond Triphanes jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels will be auctioned by Christie’s from Elizabeth Taylor’s estate. It is estimated at $70,000 – $100,000. AP

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