It's official: The Elizabeth Taylor Jewelry Collection auction by Christie's has set a new world record for the most valuable private collection of jewels sold at auction, fetching US$115,932,000 in one night.
The star of the night came from under the sea: Ms Taylor's La Peregrina natural pearl, diamond, ruby, and cultured pearl necklace (below) went under the hammer for $11.8 million, including fees, breaking two world records at once: for an historic pearl, against the previous record of $2.5 million set by La Regente at Christie’s Geneva auction in 2005, and for a pearl jewel, surpassing the $7 million record paid for The Baroda Pearls at Christie’s New York, 2007.
The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, an antique diamond tiara circa 1880, sold for $4.2m. As recounted in her 2002 book, My Love Affair with Jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor’s husband Mike Todd presented this antique diamond tiara to her, saying, “You are my queen.”
Bvlgari emerald and diamond bracelet, sold for US$4m
Bvlgari emerald and diamond pendant brooch, sold for $6.57m
