Tribute to a legend: The timeless treasures of Elizabeth Taylor (part 1)

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– Elizabeth Taylor (27-02-1932 –23-3-2011)

Dame Elizabeth Taylor, famed beauty and the most celebrated actress of the 20^th century, has passed. Liz had another, equally famous side to her – she was an ardent collector (and “guardian” in her own words above) of some of the most famous jewels in the world. In honour of this legend, we will run a tribute series about the timeless treasure that Liz owned.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond:

Although he gave her many other treasures, husband Richard Burton’s best known gift to Liz Taylor is this 69.42 carat, D colour pear shaped diamond of flawless clarity.

The first owner of the stone auctioned it off because the stone was so large, she was actually afraid to wear it in public!

Elizabeth Taylor wearing the Richard-Burton diamond set in a necklace

After her divorce from Burton, Liz Taylor auctioned off the diamond, vowing to use the proceeds to build a hospital in Botswana, Africa – a gesture that gives us insight into the heart of this woman. In 1979, the stone sold for a whopping $5000,000.