Elizabeth Taylor jewelry: Who will buy her bling?
With her movie star glamour and love of the luxe life, Elizabeth Taylor gave meaning to the phrase 鈥渄iamonds are a girl鈥檚 best friend.鈥� Her passing on March 23 left a palpable vacuum: Who can possibly assume such a glittering mantle?
Now that Ms. Taylor鈥檚 treasured collection of pricey baubles is on a world tour with Christie鈥檚, destined for their New York auction on December 13 and 14, the opportunity exists for some tastemaker to spring for jewels that are almost as famous as the woman who wore them.
The thing is, many of today鈥檚 celebrities for red carpet events like the Academy Awards. For the most part, they don鈥檛 swan around in their own diamonds, opting instead to adorn themselves with loaned rocks.
A notable exception is Kim Kardashian, who received a 20.5 carat diamond engagement ring from Kris Humphries worth $2.1 million and affects an extremely high maintenance appearance when out in public. Perhaps her new husband will gift her with one of Taylor鈥檚 choice pieces, such as 鈥楲a Peregrina,鈥� an early 16th century pearl, diamond, and ruby necklace worn by European queens. Now worth $3 million, the necklace cost Richard Burton $37,000 when he bought it at a Sotheby鈥檚 auction and gave it to Taylor for Valentine鈥檚 day.
Investors, take note. The rising price of gold has made jewelry an attractive investment.
Perhaps rap star Jay-Z, who bestowed an 18 carat diamond engagement ring upon singer 叠别测辞苍肠茅, will think Taylor鈥檚 fabulous emerald and diamond Bulgari suite would suit her as well. Or maybe sentimental Prince William will buy one of the romantic pieces for his wife Kate; in a moving gesture, he gave her his mother Diana鈥檚 for their engagement.
Businesswoman Ivanka Trump certainly has a flamboyant style sensibility like Ms. Taylor, but at a significantly lower price point. Her sells a showstopper of an emerald cut rock crystal cocktail ring with diamond band for a mere $3,650. Does it have the same impact as 鈥楾he Elizabeth Taylor Diamond,鈥� a 33.19 carat ring that was gift from Richard Burton and is expected to fetch up to $3.5 million at the Christie鈥檚 auction? Probably not. All the more reason for Ms. Trump to buy such a potent status symbol.
If the late Harry Winston were around, he might snap up the entire Taylor jewelry collection, as he did that of socialite Evelyn Walsh McLean in 1949. Included was the legendary deep blue 45.52-carat , now on display at the Smithsonian.
Taylor鈥檚 historically significant gems may end up in the collection of a billionaire such as Liu Yiquian of China. Some of the in the world have been bought by private collectors in Asia.
The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation will be the beneficiary of some of the proceeds from the exhibition and publications about the jewelry. The auction鈥檚 proceeds will go to Taylor's estate.
