Some Fantastic Stories About How Elizabeth Taylor Amassed Her Enormous Jewelry Collection

2011-12-01T23:02:00.000Z

elizabeth taylor's oscar auction christies

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were insanely competitive with each other.

In 1970, the two were playing a game of ping-pong at their chalet in Gstaad. Burton promised her that if she scored 10 points against him, he'd buy her a diamond.

She scored 30. He set off to find the smallest diamonds he could in town. And the pair to the right are what he returned with.

These rings became know as "the ping-pong rings." Those and other pricey jewels and memorabilia of the late Elizabeth Taylor officially arrived in New York today at Christie's Auction House.

Diamonds from her husbands, jewels she bought herself, her Oscars and her clothing will all be up for auction starting Dec. 13. The jewelry is so exquisite, most of it would still sell for a high price even without Taylor's name attached.

Some of the items are expected to sell for six figures, and one 33-carat stone, the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, could go for upwards for $3 million.

The items have turned Christie's showroom into a virtual fashion museum, and the star's jewels, garments and movie memorabilia are carefully arranged. We stopped by today for a preview.

Upon entering the exhibition, you see Taylor's costumes from "Cleopatra" (bottom left) and "BOOM!" (center and bottom right).

Elizabeth Taylor jewelry auction christie's

This kimono from "BOOM!" is estimated to sell at $4,000 to $6,000.

This lot is a gift from film producer and former husband Mike Todd. The diamond ear pendants are expected to sell for $25,000 to $35,000. The Belle Epoque necklace is estimated at that same value.

This 8-carat ruby ring was a gift from Richard Burton. It's so perfect in color it's called "pigeon blood." Burton told Taylor he'd waited to find the perfect ruby before giving it to her. He did and gifted it for Christmas, 1958. It's expected to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million.

This sapphire and diamond necklace by Bvlgari was one of Burton's 40th birthday gifts to Taylor. It's expected to sell for $600,000 to $800,000.

The Taj Mahal Indian table-cut diamond was the other gift from Burton. It's on a ruby-and-gold chain by Cartier. A Cartier representative called Burton saying he had something special for him and to meet at JFK airport. Burton flew there, saw the piece and bought it on the spot. It's expected to sell for $300,000 to $500,000.

The necklace on the left was a gift from Michael Jackson. The earrings on the right, by Kutchinsky, Taylor purchased for herself before being damed.

These are known as the 'ping-pong rings.' They are expected to sell for $5,000 to $7,000.

Elizabeth Taylor wore a yellow dress (below) on her first wedding day to Burton because she "was wearing yellow when she fell in love with him."

This colorful number is what Taylor wore to her second wedding to Richard Burton in 1975. The Gina Fratini dress is expected to sell for $10,000 to $20,000.

The black-hooded garment in the center is a Tiziani black velvet 'Scorpio' robe worn to Grace Kelly's 40th birthday party. Only Scorpios were invited, but Burton was one. So Taylor came as a guest. The dress is estimated to sell from $2,000 to $3,000.

Known as "The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond," this ring was a gift from Richard Burton. It's 33.19 carats and expected to sell for $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

The suite of diamond and cultured pearl "frost" jewelry by House of Taylor is expected to sell for $100,000 to $150,000.

This chain and pendant is valued at just $800, but it's engraved with a message from Richard Burton: "Elizabeth, you have my love always RJ."

These diamond earrings make a great set with the necklace.

Upstairs, Taylor's eccentric outfits fill a room.

This short tunic dress is made of linked alloy discs. It's possibly a Paco Rabanne dress from the late 1970s. It's expected to sell for $1,000 to $1,500.

Taylor loved yellow. This is a beaded lace mini dress that was featured in the garment room.

Check out all the colorful tunics she wore.

This quilted jacket with a cat on it really caught our eye.

Taylor wore this Halston scarlet silk jersey draped evening dress and turban to Night of 100 stars, a special event at Radio City Music Hall to honor the Actors Fund's 100th anniversary.

These metallic pieces were stunning to see in person.

This is a replica of Taylor's closet. It's even covered in the same type of carpet.

A collection of directors' chairs baring her name are all expected to sell between $2,000 to $7,000 a piece.

This is one of Taylor's three Academy awards.

They were displayed as if it was a museum in her honor.

This pearl bracelet with a tiger head clasp must have been heavy to wear.

All of Taylor's Louis Vuitton luggage is on sale, too.

Richard Burton gave Taylor this brooch on the evening of "The Night of the Iguana" premiere. The brooch is by Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co. and expected to sell for $200,000 to $300,000.

Taylor's jewels are sure to break these records, but..

Some Fantastic Stories About How Elizabeth Taylor Amassed Her Enormous Jewelry Collection

Upon entering the exhibition, you see Taylor's costumes from "Cleopatra" (bottom left) and "BOOM!" (center and bottom right).

This kimono from "BOOM!" is estimated to sell at $4,000 to $6,000.

This lot is a gift from film producer and former husband Mike Todd. The diamond ear pendants are expected to sell for $25,000 to $35,000. The Belle Epoque necklace is estimated at that same value.

This 8-carat ruby ring was a gift from Richard Burton. It's so perfect in color it's called "pigeon blood." Burton told Taylor he'd waited to find the perfect ruby before giving it to her. He did and gifted it for Christmas, 1958. It's expected to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million.

This sapphire and diamond necklace by Bvlgari was one of Burton's 40th birthday gifts to Taylor. It's expected to sell for $600,000 to $800,000.

The necklace on the left was a gift from Michael Jackson. The earrings on the right, by Kutchinsky, Taylor purchased for herself before being damed.

These are known as the 'ping-pong rings.' They are expected to sell for $5,000 to $7,000.

Elizabeth Taylor wore a yellow dress (below) on her first wedding day to Burton because she "was wearing yellow when she fell in love with him."

This colorful number is what Taylor wore to her second wedding to Richard Burton in 1975. The Gina Fratini dress is expected to sell for $10,000 to $20,000.

The black-hooded garment in the center is a Tiziani black velvet 'Scorpio' robe worn to Grace Kelly's 40th birthday party. Only Scorpios were invited, but Burton was one. So Taylor came as a guest. The dress is estimated to sell from $2,000 to $3,000.

Known as "The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond," this ring was a gift from Richard Burton. It's 33.19 carats and expected to sell for $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

The suite of diamond and cultured pearl "frost" jewelry by House of Taylor is expected to sell for $100,000 to $150,000.

This chain and pendant is valued at just $800, but it's engraved with a message from Richard Burton: "Elizabeth, you have my love always RJ."

These diamond earrings make a great set with the necklace.

Upstairs, Taylor's eccentric outfits fill a room.

This short tunic dress is made of linked alloy discs. It's possibly a Paco Rabanne dress from the late 1970s. It's expected to sell for $1,000 to $1,500.

Taylor loved yellow. This is a beaded lace mini dress that was featured in the garment room.

Check out all the colorful tunics she wore.

This quilted jacket with a cat on it really caught our eye.

Taylor wore this Halston scarlet silk jersey draped evening dress and turban to Night of 100 stars, a special event at Radio City Music Hall to honor the Actors Fund's 100th anniversary.

These metallic pieces were stunning to see in person.

This is a replica of Taylor's closet. It's even covered in the same type of carpet.

A collection of directors' chairs baring her name are all expected to sell between $2,000 to $7,000 a piece.

This is one of Taylor's three Academy awards.

They were displayed as if it was a museum in her honor.

This pearl bracelet with a tiger head clasp must have been heavy to wear.

All of Taylor's Louis Vuitton luggage is on sale, too.

Richard Burton gave Taylor this brooch on the evening of "The Night of the Iguana" premiere. The brooch is by Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co. and expected to sell for $200,000 to $300,000.

Taylor's jewels are sure to break these records, but..

DON'T MISS: The 10 Most Expensive Pieces Of Jewelry Ever Sold At Auction >

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