The Billion-Dollar Sparkle: 7 Most Iconic Jewels From The Elizabeth Taylor Collection And Their Current Value

Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry collection is not merely a trove of precious stones; it is a glittering, tangible autobiography of one of Hollywood’s greatest legends, a chronicle of her loves, her life, and her unparalleled passion for fine craftsmanship. As of late 2025, the legacy of this magnificent collection remains a vibrant topic in the world of high jewelry, with pieces occasionally surfacing at major auction houses like Christie’s, reminding the world of the collection's staggering historical and monetary value. The sheer scale and quality of her holdings, which sold for a record-breaking \$156.8 million at the 2011 Christie’s auction, continue to set benchmarks in the luxury market and inspire collectors globally.

The collection, which includes gifts from her many husbands, most famously Richard Burton, features creations from the world's most prestigious jewelers, including Cartier, Bulgari, and Van Cleef & Arpels. The enduring fascination lies not just in the carats and clarity, but in the stories—the royal provenance, the dramatic purchases, and the unforgettable moments Elizabeth Taylor shared while wearing them. This deep dive explores the most iconic pieces that cemented her status as one of history's greatest private jewelry collectors.

Elizabeth Taylor: A Profile in Glittering Detail

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was a British-American actress and humanitarian whose life was as dazzling and dramatic as the jewels she collected.

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• Born: February 27, 1932, in London, England.
• Died: March 23, 2011, in Los Angeles, California.
• Parents: Francis Lenn Taylor (art dealer) and Sara Sothern (actress).
• Career Debut: Began as a child actress in the early 1940s, rising to fame with films like National Velvet (1944).
• Iconic Roles: Cleopatra (1963), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958).
• Academy Awards: Two Best Actress Oscars for BUtterfield 8 (1960) and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).
• Marriages: Eight marriages to seven men, including two to actor Richard Burton.
• Philanthropy: Co-founded The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in 1991, dedicating her later life to AIDS activism.
• Jewelry Collection Sale: Her estate’s collection of jewelry, fashion, and memorabilia sold for a total of \$156.8 million at Christie’s in 2011, setting a record for a private collection.

The Crown Jewels of Hollywood: Seven Iconic Pieces and Their Auction History

The core of Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy lies in the provenance of her most significant pieces, many of which were gifts from her great love, Richard Burton. These jewels are not just large; they are historically significant and have continued to appreciate in value since the legendary 2011 auction at Christie's.

1. The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond (The Krupp Diamond)

This 33.19-carat, Asscher-cut diamond ring was one of Taylor's most cherished possessions, worn almost every day. Richard Burton purchased the diamond in 1968 for \$305,000.

• Details: D color, VS1 clarity, featuring an Asscher cut, set in a platinum ring.
• Provenance: Originally owned by Vera Krupp, wife of German industrialist Alfried Krupp.
• Auction Value (2011): It sold for an astounding \$8.8 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate.
• LSI Entity: Asscher cut diamond, Vera Krupp.

2. La Peregrina Pearl

Arguably the most historically important piece in the collection, La Peregrina is one of the world's most famous natural pearls. Burton bought the 50.6-carat pearl as a Valentine’s Day gift in 1969 for \$37,000. Taylor later commissioned Cartier to design a magnificent necklace of rubies and diamonds to showcase the pearl.

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• Details: A 50.6-carat pear-shaped natural pearl, set in a necklace designed by Cartier.
• Provenance: La Peregrina (meaning "The Pilgrim") has a royal history, having been owned by King Philip II of Spain and eight other Spanish kings, as well as Queen Mary I of England.
• Auction Value (2011): The piece sold for \$11.8 million, setting a world record for a natural pearl at auction.
• LSI Entity: 50.6-carat, Cartier necklace, King Philip II.

3. The Taylor-Burton Diamond

This massive, 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond is one of the world's most famous diamonds. Burton purchased it in 1969, initially as a ring, but Taylor found it too large to wear on her finger and had it reset into a necklace, which she wore to the 42nd Academy Awards.

• Details: A 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond, D color.
• Provenance: Purchased by Richard Burton from the jeweler Frank Pollak & Sons.
• Current Status: Taylor sold the diamond in 1979 to fund a hospital in Botswana. Its current value is unknown but estimated to be in the tens of millions.
• LSI Entity: 69.42-carat, pear-shaped, Frank Pollak & Sons.

4. The Mike Todd Tiara

A classic, 19th-century diamond tiara, this piece was a gift from her third husband, producer Mike Todd, whom she considered one of the three great loves of her life. She wore it to the 1957 Academy Awards.

• Details: A diamond tiara of 19th-century design.
• Provenance: Gift from Mike Todd.
• Auction Value (2011): Sold for \$4.2 million, far above its \$60,000–\$80,000 estimate.
• LSI Entity: 19th-century diamond, Mike Todd.

5. The Taj Mahal Diamond Necklace

Another spectacular gift from Richard Burton, this heart-shaped, table-cut diamond is set in an elaborate gold and ruby necklace by Cartier. It is inscribed with the name Nur Jahan, the wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who gave the original diamond to his son, Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal.

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• Details: Heart-shaped, table-cut diamond set in a gold and ruby necklace.
• Provenance: Gift from Richard Burton on Taylor's 40th birthday.
• Auction Value (2011): Sold for \$8.8 million, but the sale was later subject to a lawsuit regarding its authenticity and provenance, highlighting the complexities of high-value jewelry sales.
• LSI Entity: Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, Nur Jahan, Cartier.

Recent Market Activity and the Enduring Taylor Effect

While the main collection was dispersed in 2011, Elizabeth Taylor's name continues to drive the market for high-end jewelry. The "Taylor Effect" ensures that any piece with provenance linked to her commands a premium, often outshining pre-sale estimates.

Current News on the Collection (Late 2024–2025):

In late 2024 and early 2025, the jewelry world saw renewed interest in Taylor's smaller, yet significant, pieces. A Bulgari colored diamond ring once owned by Taylor was featured in a Christie’s "Magnificent Jewels" sale, estimated to fetch around \$180,000. This continued sale of pieces from her extended collection underscores the lasting commercial appeal of her name. Furthermore, a diamond bracelet with Taylor's provenance recently outshone its estimate at a U.K. auction, confirming that the market for her items is still exceptionally strong.

The collection also remains part of the cultural conversation. Pieces, such as her royal Cartier ruby suite, are occasionally loaned out for high-profile exhibitions, including a recent Cartier exhibition in London running until 2025, allowing the public a rare glimpse into the star’s personal treasures.

The Legacy of Elizabeth Taylor's Jewels

Elizabeth Taylor’s collection was unique because it was assembled not by a royal house or a bank, but by a woman deeply in love with jewels and the stories they told. Her collection was a reflection of her dynamic life—a mix of historical treasures, massive celebrity-status diamonds, and intimate, personal gifts. The pieces from Bulgari, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels were not merely accessories; they were declarations of love, status, and personal style.

The record-breaking \$156.8 million sale total in 2011, which included 266 jewelry lots, cemented her collection as the most valuable private collection of jewels ever sold at auction. The proceeds from the sale benefited The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), ensuring that her passion for glittering stones continues to fund her humanitarian legacy. The ongoing interest in her pieces, from the massive Taylor-Burton Diamond to a modest Bulgari ring, proves that the legacy of Elizabeth Taylor is truly eternal, forever linked to the world’s most spectacular gems.