Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection, including a diamond ring given to her by Richard Burton, has been auctioned off by Christies for a whopping $115 million.
A ruby diamond necklace known as La Peregrina shattered records as it went under the hammer for $11,842,500. Burton had purchased the necklace for $37,000 in 1969 as a Valentine's gift, the Associated Press reported. The previous record at Christie's New York, was $7,096,000 for the sale of the Baroda Pearls.
Another highlight of the event was Taylor's 33.19-carat diamond ring, also given to her by her two-time husband. It was bought by a private buyer from Asia for $8,181,500, according to a Christie's spokesperson, the AP reported.
It's one of the most extraordinary auctions that Christie's has ever had and a testament to the affection for Elizabeth Taylor worldwide, said Marc Porter, chairman and president of Christie's Americas, reports the New York Post.
A heart-shaped Taj Mahal Diamond, which came with a pre-action estimate of $300,000-$500,000, went to a representative of a Korean hotel conglomerate for $8.8 million. The original owner was believed to be Emperor Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife, according to People magazine.
A diamond bracelet given to the actress by Michael Jackson was another big hit, selling for $194,500. Other items that went under the auction hammer included: earrings, pendants, rings and other types of gems.
British-American actress Elizabeth Taylor went from being an early child actress with MGM to a star of Hollywood's Golden Age. National Velvet, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Butterfield, for which she won an Oscar, are among her most famous films.
Aside from her acting career she made headlines for her glamorous lifestyle and tumultuous personal life. She was married eight times.
Taylor was also renowned for her passion of jewelry saying that You can't cry on a diamond's shoulder, and diamonds won't keep you warm at night, but they're sure fun when the sun shines.
Aside from the $150 million in jewelry, Taylor left an estimated $600 million to $1 billion estate before she passed away in March this year due to heart failure.
Additional sales of Taylor's art, clothing and memorabilia will be held later this week and an online sale for some items will take place on Saturday, with proceeds going to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation, according to the AP.
La Peregrina, a pearl, diamond, ruby and cultured pearl necklace by Cartier, given to Elizabeth Taylor by her fifth husband Richard Burton is displayed at the Christie's auction house in Paris November 15, 2011. The necklace is part of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor featuring her jewellery, haute couture, fashion, and fine arts which will be auctioned in New York in December.ReutersAn Indian diamond and jade pendant necklace, ruby and gold chain by Cartier given to Elizabeth Taylor by her fifth husband Richard Burton is displayed at the Christie's auction house in Paris November 15, 2011. The necklace is part of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor featuring her jewellery, haute couture, fashion, and fine arts which will be auctioned in New York in December.ReutersA 33.19 carats diamond ring given to Elizabeth Taylor by her fifth husband Richard Burton is displayed at the Christie's auction house in Paris November 15, 2011. The diamond is part of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor featuring her jewelery, haute couture, fashion, and fine arts which will be auctioned in New York in December. ReutersA ring and a necklace, both made of ruby and diamond, which belonged to the late actress Elizabeth Taylor is seen at a media preview at Christie's in Hong Kong November 24, 2011. The ring, designed by Van Cleef and Arpels, weighs 8.24 carats and is expected to fetch between $1 million and $1.5 million; the necklace, designed by Cartier, is expected to fetch between $200,000 to $300,000 during the "The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor" auction from December 3 to 16. Christie's also announced that a portion of the profits generated from related exhibition admissions, events and publications will be donated to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation (ETAF). ETAF provides funding to AIDS organizations throughout the world to help those living with HIV and AIDS. ReutersA diamond ring, which belonged to the late actress Elizabeth Taylor, is shown during a media preview at Christie's in Hong Kong November 24, 2011. The ring, designed by Van Cleef and Arpels, weighs 8.24 carats and is expected to fetch between $1 million and $1.5 million during the "The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor" auction from December 3 to 16. Christie's also announced that a portion of the profits generated from related exhibition admissions, events and publications will be donated to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation (ETAF). ETAF provides funding to AIDS organizations throughout the world to help those living with HIV and AIDS.ReutersA necklace designed by Bvlgari, which belonged to the late actress Elizabeth Taylor, is seen during a media preview at Christie's in Hong Kong November 24, 2011. The necklace is expected to fetch between $1 million to $1.5 million, and its pendant brooch is expected to fetch between $500,000 and $700,000 during the "The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor" auction from December 3 to 16. Christie's also announced that a portion of the profits generated from related exhibition admissions, events and publications will be donated to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation (ETAF). ETAF provides funding to AIDS organizations throughout the world to help those living with HIV and AIDS. ReutersA photograph of Elizabeth Taylor is seen behind jewels on display as part of the upcoming auction of the late actress' jewelry, clothing, art and memorabilia at Christie's Auction house in New York City, December 1, 2011. In the foreground is the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara priced between $60,000-$80,000. The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction will take place December 13, 2011 at Christie's.ReutersA photograph of Elizabeth Taylor is seen behind jewels on display as part of the upcoming auction of the late actress' jewelry, clothing, art and memorabilia at Christie's Auction house in New York City, December 1, 2011. The jewels in the photograph are a natural pearl, diamond ruby and cultured pearl on a necklace by Cartier priced between $2 million to $3 million. The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction will take place December 13, 2011 at Christie's.ReutersThe Gina Fratini Wedding dress worn by actress Elizabeth Taylor in her second marriage to Richard Burton is seen on display as part of the upcoming auction of the late actress' jewelry, clothing, art and memorabilia at Christie's Auction house in New York City, December 1, 2011. The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction will take place December 13, 2011 at Christie's.ReutersA Versace Beaded Evening jacket "The Face" labeled "Atelier Versace", Circa 1992 which belonged to actress Elizabeth Taylor is seen with other jackets on display as part of the upcoming auction of the late actress' jewelry, clothing art and memorabilia at Christie's Auction house in New York City, December 1, 2011. The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction will take place December 13, 2011 at Christie's.ReutersGowns from the collection of Elizabeth Taylor are displayed as part of the upcoming auction of the late actress' jewelry, clothing art and memorabilia at Christie's Auction house in New York City, December 1, 2011.The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction will take place December 13, 2011 at Christie's. RReutersA room of jewelry boxes that belonged to the late actress Elizabeth Taylor is seen on display as part of the upcoming auction of the late actress' jewelry, clothing art and memorabilia at Christie's Auction house in New York City, December 1, 2011. The jewelry boxes will accompany the jewels purchased at the auction of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor December 13, 2011 at Christie's.Reuters
