When you think of Hollywood glamour, few names shine as brightly as Elizabeth Taylor. Beyond her mesmerizing violet eyes, acclaimed acting career, and captivating beauty, Taylor was equally famous for her extraordinary jewelry collection. Elizabeth Taylor jewellery collection features world-famous gems, historic diamonds, and exquisite designs that shaped fashion history.
Known as one of the most iconic private collections in history, her jewels were not just ornaments—they were symbols of love, artistry, and timeless elegance.
In fact, Taylor once famously said:
“Big girls need big diamonds.”
Her passion for jewelry became part of her identity, and today, her pieces remain the stuff of legend.
Elizabeth Taylor jewellery Collection: Why It Remains Legendary Today
Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry collection combined historical treasures, romantic gifts, and masterpieces from the world’s greatest jewelers. After her passing in 2011, Christie’s auctioned her collection, which fetched over $115 million—a record at the time. The proceeds went to support the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, making her legacy sparkle with compassion as well as beauty.
Her favorite designers included Bulgari, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., and David Webb—all of whom crafted unique jewels that perfectly matched Taylor’s bold style.
Iconic Pieces in Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewelry Collection
1. The Taylor-Burton Diamond
One of the most famous diamonds in the world, this 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond was purchased by Richard Burton after a dramatic bidding war in 1969. He had it mounted into a necklace for Taylor, which she often wore at major public events.
Fun fact: Burton commissioned the necklace to cover Taylor’s tracheotomy scar, making the jewel not just beautiful, but deeply personal.
2. The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond (Krupp Diamond)
One of Taylor’s most cherished possessions was the 33.19-carat Asscher-cut diamond, gifted to her by Richard Burton in 1968. Originally owned by Vera Krupp, the gem was auctioned in the late 1960s. Taylor later recalled thinking how symbolic it would be “if a nice Jewish girl like me were to own it,” given the Krupp family’s infamous Nazi connections.
When describing it, Taylor was entranced by the stone’s beauty: she admired its deep Asscher cuts, comparing them to “steps that lead into eternity and beyond.” She said the diamond seemed alive with sparks of red, blue, purple, and white — a stone that “hummed with its own life” and shared its magic with her.
In 2011, it sold for $8.8 million, solidifying its legendary status.
3. La Peregrina Pearl
This extraordinary pearl—perfectly symmetrical and weighing 55.95 carats—once belonged to Spanish royalty. Richard Burton gave it to Taylor in 1969 as a Valentine’s Day gift.
Discovered in the 16th century and once owned by Spanish royalty, La Peregrina became another treasure in Taylor’s collection when Richard Burton bought it in 1969.
- Design: Cartier redesigned the pearl into a necklace with diamonds and rubies
- History: Previously worn by Queen Mary I of England and passed through European courts for centuries
- Amusing Anecdote: At one point, Taylor’s dog mistakenly chewed on it, but the pearl survived unscathed!
Taylor had Cartier redesign the piece into a ruby-and-diamond necklace. In one amusing story, she once misplaced the pearl and later found it in her puppy’s mouth!
At auction, the pearl sold for over $11 million.
4. The Bulgari Emerald Suite
During the filming of Cleopatra in Rome, Taylor and Burton often visited the Bulgari boutique on Via dei Condotti. From those visits grew one of the most remarkable emerald suites of the 20th century.
Story: Taylor herself admitted, “One of the great joys in life is jewelry, and the ultimate joy is Bulgari.”
Pieces: Brooch, necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring
Highlight: A 23.44-carat emerald pendant surrounded by diamonds, detachable from the necklace
This collection sold for nearly $25 million, making it one of the most valuable sets of jewels ever sold.
5. The Taj Mahal Diamond
A heart-shaped diamond inscribed with the name of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this jewel carried centuries of history. For her 40th birthday, Richard Burton gifted Taylor a historic Mughal heart-shaped diamond inscribed with Persian script reading, “Love is everlasting.”
Story: The gift perfectly embodied Burton’s flair for romance and Taylor’s fascination with historic gems.
Carat & Cut: Large heart-shaped, flat-cut
Origin: Believed to date back to the reign of Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal
Design: Re-set by Cartier with a gold and ruby chain
6. Other Famous Pieces
Mike Todd’s Tiara –
A glittering diamond tiara gifted by her husband Mike Todd, which Taylor wore to the Oscars in 1957.
Cartier Ruby Suite –
A dazzling ruby and diamond set from Todd, often called one of the most romantic gifts she ever received.
Earlier in her life, Taylor received another ruby treasure — a complete Cartier suite (necklace, bracelet, and earrings) from her third husband, Mike Todd.
- Story: Todd surprised her with the jewels poolside while she was in her bathing suit. She later called it one of the most romantic and spontaneous gestures she ever experienced.
Charm Bracelet –
Featuring deeply personal charms, including one engraved with her children’s names.
Van Cleef & Arpels Jewels
One of Taylor’s most emotional jewelry moments came when Burton gifted her a Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond ring. Taylor later recounted how overwhelmed she felt upon receiving it: “I’m sure I almost fainted. I screamed and couldn’t stop screaming. I knew I was staring at the most exquisite ruby anyone had ever seen
Design: Cushion-cut Burmese ruby surrounded by diamonds.
Significance: Considered one of the finest rubies in the world, this ring symbolized the passion between her and Burton
Including rare coral and diamond earrings, and a striking lion choker.
Night of the Iguana Brooch
– A colorful Tiffany & Co. brooch gifted by Burton, symbolizing their love affair.
Why Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewelry Still Captivates the World
- Extraordinary Craftsmanship – Each piece was created by master jewelers and remains an example of timeless artistry.
- Romantic Stories – Many jewels were gifts from her husbands, especially Richard Burton, whose love for Taylor was expressed through rare gems.
- Historical Value – From royal pearls to Mughal diamonds, her collection linked Hollywood glamour to centuries of history.
- Cultural Influence – Taylor’s jewels appeared on red carpets, in films, and continue to inspire fashion today. In 2025, Kim Kardashian even wore Taylor’s diamond earrings on the Balenciaga couture runway, proving their enduring allure.
- Philanthropic Impact – Through auctions, her jewels funded AIDS research and treatment, extending her legacy far beyond Hollywood.
Legacy of the Collection
After Elizabeth Taylor’s death in 2011, her jewelry collection was auctioned by Christie’s New York, fetching $156.8 million — a record at the time for any private jewelry sale. Each piece carried not only monetary value but also historical and emotional weight, reflecting Taylor’s life, loves, and larger-than-life persona.
Final Thoughts
Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry was more than decoration—it was a living storybook of love, history, and elegance. Each diamond, pearl, and emerald carried not only incredible beauty but also a tale of passion and devotion.
Today, her collection continues to inspire designers, collectors, and fans alike. Whether displayed in museums, owned by private collectors, or remembered through iconic photos, Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels remain a sparkling reminder that true glamour never fades.
✨ Elizabeth Taylor once said,
“Jewelry has the power to be the one little thing that makes you feel unique.”
Her collection embodied that spirit—and ensured her name will forever glitter in history.
