Elizabeth Taylor’s Famous Jewels Are Going on Tour

  • Share
  • Read Later
Larry Ellis / Getty Images

The world remembers Elizabeth Taylor by her beauty, eight tumultuous marriages and diamonds. Even after her death in March, the relics of her life, full of glamour and impassioned love affairs, live on to (literally) dazzle the fans.

This fall, late Hollywood actress’s jewelry collection—along with her couture, accessories, decorative arts and memorabilia—will come to L.A., Moscow, London, Dubai, Geneva, Paris and Hong Kong, Christie’s auction house announced Wednesday. The world tour will end with the grand finale in New York’s Rockefeller Center gallery space in December before they go on sale from December 13-16. Just in time for Christmas season, the ten day long “museum quality” public exhibition is expected to attract each day thousands of Gothamites and visitors alike.

(PHOTOS: Remembering Elizabeth Taylor)

Although Christie’s didn’t specify which pieces it will be showing, fans are whetting their appetite with anticipations for the most famous and expensive pieces, such as the Peregrina pearl, once owned by Queen Mary I of England, and the 16th century Taj Mahal necklace. The 69-karat Cartier (renamed the Taylor-Burton) Diamond and the 33-karat Krupp diamond ring, boasting world’s best clarity, were also some of Taylor’s fashion staples. Surprisingly, these most prized pieces had been the gift of one man: Richard Burton, whom she married and divorced twice. In 2002 her entire collection was estimated to be $150 million.

(PHOTOS: Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton)

“This collection of her many cherished possessions will bring us closer to the essence of Elizabeth Taylor’s unique spirit, and promises to inspire admiration, delight, and at times, sheer wonder, in all who come to see it.” Marc Porter, the president of Christie’s said in the press release.

Romance and bling were not her only passion, however. She was also a successful businesswoman and devoted humanitarian. A portion of the auction’s proceedings will go to American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) both of which she founded after losing her long time friend Rock Hudson to the disease.

(PHOTOS: Oscar’s Leading Ladies)