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29 March 2024

Liz Taylor’s iconic jewels to dazzle Dubai

Elizabeth Taylor's $120,000 – 180,000 necklace and $25,000-35,000 earrings from the set of diamond and gold “Barquerolles” jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, a gift from Richard Burton, are displayed at a public exhibition in GUM on Moscow's Red Square, shortly after the exhibition opening. Christie‘s have revealed the main lots of Elizabeth Taylor's jewels to be auctioned in New York this December. (AFP)

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By Staff

For those of you who gasped a little every time Elizabeth Taylor sparkled in the limelight with a glittering gem on her body can now see the late Hollywood legend’s dazzling jewels in Dubai next month.

New York-based auction house, Christie’s, is selecting highlights of Taylor’s most revered jewellery and travelling the globe for three months before the collection goes under the hammer in December.

Taylor’s collection will be on public exhibition in Dubai on October 23rd at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel from 2pm until 10pm, following which, it will travel to Geneva, Paris, and Hong Kong.

In December, the tour will culminate in a special 10-day exhibition of the complete collection at Christie’s New York prior to the sale, which commences of December 13, where 80 of Taylor’s most iconic jewels will be presented in a special evening sale.

This will be followed by 189 additional jewels in two separate day sale sessions on December 14.

Widely celebrated as one of the greatest private collections ever assembled, this dazzling array of jewels includes Taylor’s most iconic diamonds, gemstones, historic jewels, and one-of-a-kind creations, as well as a treasure trove of personal mementos and beloved gifts.

The total selection of 269 magnificent jewels from this storied collection is estimated to achieve well in excess of $30 million.

In a statement, Marc Porter, Chairman and President of Christie’s Americas said: “From her most jaw-dropping diamonds, gems, and one-of-a-kind historic jewels, to cherished ‘It’s Tuesday, I love you gifts’, and never-before-seen keepsakes, Elizabeth Taylor's magnificent collection of jewels promises to captivate the auction world this fall.

“This is without a doubt the greatest private collection of jewellery ever assembled in one place…”

According to François Curiel, International Jewellery Director and President of Christie’s Asia, the Taylor collection includes pieces from noted design houses such as BVLGARI, Boucheron, Cartier, JAR, Schlumberger, Tiffany, and Van Cleef & Arpels, among others.

Taylor, also called violet-eyes, was a celebrated film star, fashion icon, and humanitarian who passed away on March 23 of this year of congestive heart failure.

Her most noteworthy films include “National Velvet”, “Father of the Bride”, “Cleopatra”, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, “Butterfield 8” and many more.

Taylor married eight times, to seven husbands, with a two marriages to actor Richard Burton.

Burton had famously purchased the Taylor-Burton Diamond for his wife in 1969, which weighed 68.42 carats.

However, those of you who want to take a peek at the pear-shaped gem will be disappointed as after their divorce, Taylor auctioned the diamond in 1978 for $5 million, which was used to build a hospital in Botswana.

The diamond has now shifted hands to Robert Mouawad, which has been re cut to 68 carats.