I was inspired to pick this book up after reading Furious Love
, and I’m glad I did. I’ve always loved jewelry, and few people have a collection as impressive as Elizabeth Taylor. This book is the first time she allowed all of it to be photographed at once, providing beautiful photos and commentary about the jewels.
, and I’m glad I did. I’ve always loved jewelry, and few people have a collection as impressive as Elizabeth Taylor. This book is the first time she allowed all of it to be photographed at once, providing beautiful photos and commentary about the jewels. The most famous of her pieces came from Richard Burton, but the book also includes gifts from her third husband Mike Todd, as well as her friend Michael Jackson.
Since the only way to really talk about the book is to show the amazing jewelry, I’m including some pictures and captions of some of her most famous pieces.
Mike Todd Ruby and Diamond Jewelry
Elizabeth wearing her Cartier ruby and diamond necklace, bracelet and earrings.
Mike Todd Diamond Ear Pendants
While staying in Paris with Mike Todd, Elizabeth spotted some beautiful fake chandelier earrings and purchased them on the spot. A few months later she noticed they felt different, Todd had them made into real diamond earrings.
Krupp Diamond
The 33.19 carat Krupp diamond was originally owned by Vera Krupp, of the famous munitions family which helped kill millions of Jews. It came up for auction in the late 1960s and Elizabeth said, “I thought how perfect it would be if a nice Jewish girl like me were to own it.”
La Peregrina
The La Peregrina was a totally natural pearl discovered by a slave in the 1500s. It ended up as part of the Spanish royal jewels, and eventually Prince Philip II of Spain gave it to Mary Tudor of England as an engagment present. Taylor and Burton had Cartier design a necklace to show it off.
Mary Tudor wearing
La Peregrina.
Taylor-Burton Diamond
Richard Burton had purchased the La Peregrina a few months before and decided he had to have the 69.42-carat pear shaped diamond when it came up for auction (the Sultan of Brunei was another interested party). The purchase was so famous it became known as the Taylor-Burton diamond. Originally set as a ring, they had Cartier design a necklace. Whenever Elizabeth wore it she had to be escorted by armed guards.
