Margot Robbie turned heads at the premiere of “Wuthering Heights” on Wednesday, showcasing one of Elizabeth Taylor’s most legendary pieces of jewelry.
The 35-year-old Academy Award contender stunned in a mesmerizing Schiaparelli couture dress, but it was Elizabeth Taylor’s renowned Taj Mahal diamond necklace, valued at a staggering $8 million, that truly captured everyone’s attention.
This particular necklace was gifted to Taylor by her fifth husband, Richard Burton, 54 years ago in celebration of her 40th birthday, and it remains one of the most memorable items in the illustrious collection of the iconic Hollywood actress.
Taylor’s collection was not limited to this single astonishing piece; it fetched an astounding $137 million at auction following her passing.
So, what became of her extraordinary jewels?
While some pieces were reacquired by luxury brands like Cartier and Bulgari, others found their way into private collections, occasionally making red carpet appearances as celebrities don them for special events.
What happened to Elizabeth Taylor’s $137 million jewellery collection? Inside the late star’s incredible haul (Taylor pictured at the Academy Awards in 1970)
Margot Robbie made a bold style statement at the Wuthering Heights premiere on Wednesday when she hit the red carpet in one of Elizabeth Taylor’s most iconic jewellery pieces
The Oscar nominee, 35, wowed in Taylor’s Taj Mahal diamond necklace, which is worth a reported $8 million (left, Taylor wearing the necklace in 1972)
It’s fitting that Taylor’s jewellery is still on display, given she loved seeing her gems.
‘Her jewelry wasn’t locked away,’ photographer Catherine Opie told People in 2015.
‘When Elizabeth had insomnia, she’d often go into the jewelry closet to make different arrangements to look at.’
Certainly, the Taj Mahal necklace elevated Robbie’s red carpet look this week.
The Taj Mahal diamond got its name because it was believed it had belonged to Shah Jahan who commissioned the Taj Mahal monument in Agra in India.
In presenting it to Taylor in 1972, Burton famously quipped: ‘I would have liked to buy her the Taj-Mahal but it would cost too much to transport.’
The gem sold for $8.8 million in December 2011 at an auction in New York.
But the buyer later asked for a refund alleging the jewel hadn’t actually belonged to a Mughal emperor.
Christie’s canceled the sale at the buyer’s request and asked for the $7.2 million paid to Taylor’s estate. It refused.
Court documents obtained by Daily Mail Online showed that the two parties eventually reached a deal to dismiss all claims against each other and the Taj Mahal diamond would be put up for auction once more.
The Taj Mahal diamond got its name because it was believed it had belonged to Shah Jahan who commissioned the Taj Mahal monument in Agra in India
Burton also bought Taylor an emerald Bulgari necklace, which Bulgari bought back in 2011 (Taylor is pictured at the 1968 A Flea in Her Ear Paris Premiere)
It was famously worn by Julianne Moore two years later and the jewellery house has since loaned it to other celebrities
Another one of Burton’s lavish gifts to Taylor was the La Peregrina Pearl, discovered in 1516, and once part of the Spanish Crown Jewels and worn by royals like Mary I of England
A Cartier ruby-and-diamond necklace was bought back by Cartier at the Christie’s auction in 2011, for $3.8 million
It was originally a gift to Taylor from her third husband Mike Todd, with the actress describing the necklace as ‘Like the sun, lit up and made of red fire’ (Taylor pictured wearing the necklace in 1958 with Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynold)
Burton also bought his wife the matching earrings and bracelet from the brand
The Taj Mahal diamond was just one of many gems Burton bought his wife.
The 69.4 carat Taylor-Burton diamond was bought by Burton in 1969 and is now owned by Robert Mouawad. It has not been publicly seen since 1979.
He also bought her an emerald Bulgari necklace, which Bulgari bought back at the 2011 auction.
It was famously worn by Julianne Moore two years later and the jewellery house has since loaned it to other celebrities.
Another one of Burton’s lavish gifts to Taylor was the La Peregrina Pearl, discovered in 1516, and once part of the Spanish Crown Jewels and worn by royals like Mary I of England.
The 56 carat gem sold in 2011 for $11.8 million. It’s now owned by a private buyer and held in a private collection.
A Cartier ruby-and-diamond necklace was bought back by Cartier at the Christie’s auction in 2011, for $3.8 million.
It was originally a gift to Taylor from her third husband Mike Todd, with the actress describing the necklace as ‘Like the sun, lit up and made of red fire.’
The 69.4 carat Taylor-Burton diamond was bought by Burton in 1969 and is now owned by Robert Mouawad. It has not been publicly seen since 1979 (pictured wearing the necklace with Richard Burton at the 1970 Oscars)
Another one of Elizabeth’s famous gems is the Krupp diamond, later named the Elizabeth Taylor diamond (pictured with Burton in 1968)
It was purchased by the Korean E-Land Group for $8.8 million, setting a record price per carat for a colourless diamond
Last year, Kim Kardashian wore one of Taylor’s jewels while attending Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week show
The reality star was dripping with diamonds, including Taylor’s huge chandelier earrings, which were on loan from jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz
The stunning diamond earrings were given to Taylor by her husband Mike Todd in 1957, shortly before his death in 1958 (Pictured in Los Angeles in February 1958)
She also wore the multi-carat diamond necklace Taylor had received from Burton
Another one of Elizabeth’s famous gems is the Krupp diamond, later named the Elizabeth Taylor diamond.
It was purchased by the Korean E-Land Group for $8.8 million, setting a record price per carat for a colourless diamond.
Last year, Kim Kardashian wore one of Taylor’s jewels while attending Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week show.
The reality star was dripping with diamonds, including Taylor’s huge chandelier earrings, which were on loan from jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz.
The earrings were given to the Oscar winner by Todd in 1957 shortly before his death in March 1958. They are believed to be valued at $400,000.
For the look, Kardashian was dressed in a cream satin slip dress, similar to the slip Taylor wore in the 1958 drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
Taylor rose in fame as a child actress in the 1940s before landing a number of prominent roles in the 50s and 60s, including her part as Cleopatra.
The UK-born actress-turned-humanitarian continued to make her mark on the Hollywood industry into the 90s when she was named the seventh-greatest female screen legend by the American Film Institute.
Burton gifted Taylor The Bulgari Sautoir – a diamond and sapphire necklace – on her 40th birthday. It sold for $5,906,500 at Christie’s
The Duchess of Windsor gave Taylor her gold Prince of Wales Brooch. It sold for $1,314,500 at Christie’s (pictured at Forbes Magazine’s 70th Anniversary Celebration in 1987)
Taylor is pictured wearing the Daisy Parure by Van Cleef & Arpels necklace at the 1993 Oscars. It sold for $746,500 at Christie’s
Taylor wears the Massoni monkey necklace and earrings, with Michael Jackson in 2000 at the Carousel of Hope gala. It sold for $290,500 at Christie’s
She then died in 2011 at the age of 79 from congestive heart failure.
But during her life, Taylor amassed a large collection of designer clothing, accessories, wigs, furniture, and personal memorabilia.
In 2019, Julien’s Auctions partnered with House of Taylor for a three-day auction to celebrate the late actress’ legacy by selling iconic clothing, jewelry, and other pieces from her life.
Items sold during the three days included film costumes and clothing from luxury designers like Christian Dior, Edith Head, Gucci, and Oscar de la Renta.
