A Girls Best Friend

This week, I am dedicating the blog to a woman whose extensive jewellery collection comprised of some of the most impressive pieces of jewellery and rarest stones in the world, Ms Elizabeth Taylor. Sadly, the actress passed away earlier this year but she leaves behind a legacy of glamour and extravagance. As a woman who simply did not believe in being understated, even as her health deteriorated she was never seen without her jewellery.

Taylor's private life was the fuel for many a media scandal, she was married eight times, with the most famous and most extravagant additions to her jewellery collection gifted to her by Richard Burton whom she married twice, firstly in 1964 and then again in 1975. Burton bought Elizabeth several well-known pieces during their marriages, two of the most famous being the 33.19 carat Krupp diamond, which Taylor wore on a daily basis, and the 69.42 carat pear cut Taylor-Burton diamond Burton justified these lavish gifts as investments, which certainly paid off for Taylor who sold the 69.42 carat diamond after their second divorce for $5 million!

Her passion for jewellery did not begin and end with diamonds, in 1969 Burton purchased the 50 Carat La Peregrina Pearl as a Valentines present for Taylor. The pearl, first discovered in 1513 had previously been owned by Mary I and was set into a necklace of pearls, rubies and diamonds by Cartier.
Throughout her turbulent personal life, Taylors adoration of fabulous and unique jewellery remained constant, famously stating 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".

So strong was Taylor's dedication to her first love that in 2003 she published a book titled ‘My love affair with Jewellery’. After her death in March, her jewellery collection reportedly worth around $150 million, will be sold at auction at Christies later this year. In the meantime, we can all pay our own tribute to a woman of great personal strength and impeccable taste. Whether you are attending a dinner with the Prince of Monaco, a star-studded premiere or dashing out on the school run don’t be afraid to pop on the biggest jewels you can find, and wear them with pride!

W3955:Antique Victorian 8.82 Carat Old Cushion Cut Diamond, Three Stone Ring