Revealed in all its glittering glory: Elizabeth Taylor's £100m collection of gems, gowns and art goes on display at Christie's
By Sadie Whitelocks
Last updated at 10:50 PM on 23rd September 2011
From a 33.19 carat diamond to a pearl that belonged to a King... As the Elizabeth Taylor Collection is unveiled at Christie's in London tomorrow, we bring you a selection of the most dazzling pieces - and how the late star wore them.
She was renowned for her impeccable taste in jewellery, and over her lifetime amassed a dazzling collection worth a staggering £20million. Many of the pieces were designed by Taylor herself in partnership with her favoured jewellery house, Cartier, and many bestowed upon her by her generous husbands.
After her death in March this year aged 79, the entire collection of 300 glorious pieces is to go on display at London auction house Christie's, ahead of a sale of the hoard in New York this December.
The chairman and president of Christie's America, Marc Porter, said the sale promised to 'captivate the auction world'. He added: 'This is without a doubt the greatest private collection of jewellery assembled in one place.'
The legendary emerald suite was bought by Elizabeth Taylor and husband Richard Burton at jewellers Bulgari while filming Cleopatra in Italy
Emerald queen: Taylor wore her beautiful brooches in her hair, as well as on her clothes - these are from her collection of Bulgari gems
The emerald suite was one of Taylor's favourite set of gems, and she wore them often - left, Taylor in 1967, wearing elaborate headdress and the necklace - with removable stone that could be worn as a brooch; right, wearing the stone as brooch at a social function with Burton
The earrings from the emerald suite which Taylor wore a lot including to the Paris Opera in 1963
This Bulgari Emerald necklace is part of a suite that is expected to raise up to £1m ($1.5m)
Elizabeth Taylor's lavish gem collection is to go on display tomorrow, including the Cartier ruby and diamond suite, given to her by third husband Mike Todd, pictured right
The sapphire and diamond Sautoir by Bulgari, estimated to go for £450,000 to £600,000 ($600,000 to $800,000)
Elizabeth Taylor wore the Bulgari Sautoir necklace for an evening out with husband Richard Burton, which they spent at the Dorchester hotel
The sapphire and diamond Trombino Ring by Bulgari, set to go under the hammer for £100,000 to £150,000 ($150,00-200,000)
Left: La Peregrina pearl, won by Richard Burton at auction and made into necklace by Elizabeth Taylor with Cartier is set to fetch up to £2m ($3m)
Expected to fetch £60,000: An antique diamond tiara, a gift from her third husband Mike Todd, and right, Elizabeth wearing the piece at a glamorous event
Elizabeth adored the emerald suite, and wore the earrings many years after she'd first bought them with Burton in Italy - here she wears them in 2007
Charming: A bracelet from the collection features tiny charms in gold, studded with turquoise and ruby - it was a gift from Burton to Taylor, and carries charms bearing the names of both
