Great Women in Jewelry: Liz Taylor
By La Petite AcadienneWhen we think about women with jaw-droppingly enviable jewelry collections, La Liz is often the first to come to mind.
As generous as she is beautiful, Taylor hosted an auction of donated jewelry that raised over $240,000 for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. She even sold her diamond and emerald engagement ring from Richard Burton. Reportedly, Liz said, “Please know that it is not easy for me to give it away. It is only my commitment to AIDS that persuaded me to let it go. My love is inside that ring forever.”
Some of the most impressive jewels in Dame Taylor’s jewelry collection include the 33 carat Krupp Diamond ring, the “La Peregrina” pearl (a Valentine present from Richard Burton, and once mistaken for a chew toy by Liz’s puppy), the “Taj Mahal”heart shaped yellow diamond necklace (another one of many jewelry gifts from Richard Burton, who really turned gift-giving into quite the art, didn’t he?), the Duchess of Windsor diamond brooch, the pear shaped 69 carat Taylor-Burton diamond and the Grand Duchess of Russia emeralds.
In her book, Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry, which is definitely one of the books on my must-have list, she says, “I’m fortunate to have some very important pieces of jewelry. I don’t believe I own any of the pieces. I believe that I am their custodian, here to enjoy them, to give them the best treatment in the world, to watch after their safety, and to love them.”
So, um, Liz…if you don’t believe you actually OWN any of those pieces, then I’m assuming you wouldn’t mind terribly if I borrowed some of it this weekend? Thanks. You’re a pal.
Bisous,
LPA
November 15th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Apparently, Ms Taylor once painted red stripes with nail polish on the Krupp Diamond for a Christmas party. I think that’s the right attitude to have.
November 15th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Yikes…I’m not sure if that qualifies as “the best treatment in the world”, though.
November 15th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Chere Mlle Acadienne, have you yet considered doing an occasional “Whose Jewels?” feature? Might be fun!
November 16th, 2010 at 10:40 am
I don’t know–nail polish remover shouldn’t harm platinum, gold, or diamond anyway.
I sure would like to run into my own Richard Burton one day. That man knew a great jeweller when he saw one!