The Elizabeth Taylor Diamonds ( What did she do to get them?)

InStyle ^

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

To celebrate the publication of her book Taylor asked her favorite jewelers to donate a precious piece for an auction to benefit the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. That event, to be held at Christie's on September 26, will take place during a book party sponsored by In Style. All proceeds from the auction will benefit ETAF.

Liz at the 1971 Academy Awards wearing the Cartier diamond, later renamed the Taylor-Burton diamond. Originally a ring (inset) the Burtons had it made into a necklace when Taylor thought it too big for a ring.

These earrings were originally made of paste and bought for Taylor in Paris by husband Mike Todd. He surprised her months later by having them made with real diamonds. The necklace dates from the Belle Epoque, circa 1900. It was also a gift from Todd in 1957, the same year he gave her the earrings.

Taylor listening to Eddie Fisher perform at the Tropicana in Las Vegas, April 1959

In addition to the Krupp diamond, a present from Richard Burton, she owned this 29.4-carat ring, given to her by Todd when they became engaged (Taylor later had to sell the ring following Todd's death in 1958). She gave the ring the nickname "my ice-skating rink." People often admired Taylor's jewelry and she responded by letting them try it on, including an old Russian tour guide she met while on a junket for Todd's Around the World in 80 Days. The man told Taylor the ring should be in a museum. She then asked him if he wanted to try it on.

Taylor surrounded by her sons Michael and Christopher Wilding and her daughter Liza Todd

Taylor was given this Cartier ruby-and-diamond necklace and matching earrings by Todd when she was pregnant with her daughter Liza. They were renting a villa outside Monte Carlo with the actor Van Johnson and his wife Eve. Todd presented her with the famous red Cartier box while she was swimming in the villa's pool.

This is never-before-published footage of Taylor trying on the jewelry. The home movie was shot by Eve Johnson. Moments after this scene was taken, the camera followed a very pregnant Taylor romping in a lawn sprinkler with her sons—and her jewelry.

The emerald-and-diamond ensemble was a gift from Burton, purchased at Bulgari in Rome, where the couple was filming Cleopatra. The brooch (which can also be worn as a necklace) was an engagement gift, and she wore it when they exchanged vows in Montreal. The earrings were a gift for her 32nd birthday; the tiara, a gift from Todd.

Taylor relaxing with her dog prior to a gala for the opening of Lawrence of Arabia

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Liz needs to write a book on what a woman does to get such jewels. It would be a best seller.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Ping

[strela]

Liz needs to write a book on what a woman does to get such jewels.

Better yet; Who a woman does to get such jewels. (vbeg)

[discostu]

Not sure how many other women can be arguably the most gorgeous woman in the world for a decade, and a pretty damn good actress to boot. It's too bad she Elvised.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

The woman has a collection valued at $150,000,000.00. This just fascinates me, because frankly, I don't find her to have a pleasant personality.

[TopQuark]

Liz needs to write a book on what a woman does to get such jewels. It would be a best seller. Haven't you read it by now?

[isthisnickcool]

Liz needs to write a book on what a woman does to get such jewels. It would be a best seller.

Liz write a book? There is a "Liz giving an oral report would be just fine" joke there somewhere but I'm not coming up with it. Oh no! Not me!

As for myself, I love diamonds. They have got me out of a lot of trouble:)

[Paul Atreides]

There is something surreal about a beautiful actress, who had all of the hot tickets (of their day) on a leash, winding up on the arm of a bleached out pedophile, in her golden years.

[Mamzelle]

Is the jewelry really worth $150M? Maybe $15M? I guess my mind boggles too easily at the extravagance...after all, this is Hollywood we're talking about. She always came across as silly--she was most beautiful in the very early movies like "Father of the Bride" and "Daddy's Little Dividend." Her voice was odd for a great actress, highly pitched and quavering. That's why she was so well-suited to play Katherine the Shrew. She shrieked so unpleasantly.

It does embarrass that our culture makes goddesses of such dim bulbs...wonder if even the Queen of England has such a stash...

And how to keep from getting it stolen?

[strela]

This just fascinates me, because frankly, I don't find her to have a pleasant personality.

Point taken. But seriously, being an actress, she probably has the ability to turn charm on and off like you or I would flip a light switch. Much like a certain ex-President we all know and loathe.

[anniegetyourgun]

I would covet more diamonds except that I'm guessing that when I get to heaven they will be as common as glass!

[strela]

I would covet more diamonds except that I'm guessing that when I get to heaven they will be as common as glass!

According to Arthur C. Clarke (in one of his novels), they're pretty common right now, and you don't have to go anywhere near as far to get them. Supposedly, the planet Jupiter has a core the size of the Earth made of pure carbon under tremendous pressure for eons = diamond.

The problem is getting it out of there.

[Psycho Francis]

Mike Todd & Richard Burton......

Better yet; Who a woman does to get such jewels. (vbeg)

[strela]

The list is indeed long and distinguished.

[Mike Darancette]

When a woman exclamed to Mae West, "Goodness what did you do to get that diamomd?". Mae replied in her purring way, "Goodness had nothing to do with it".

I imagine that a similar response would obtained from Liz.

[Warren]

Agreed! Just what was is she famous for anyway?

[Fraulein]

She was gorgeous and talented. And she dated wealthy, adoring men who showed their appreciation.

Now she hangs out with Michael Jackson. Go figure.

[Fraulein]

[Bonaparte]

A sampling of her salaries --

Only Game in Town, The (1970)	$1,250,000
Cleopatra (1963)	$1,000,000
V.I.P.s, The (1963)	$1,000,000
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)	$500,000
Mirror Crack'd, The (1980)	$250,000
Flintstones, The (1994)	$2,500,000
Secret Ceremony (1968)	$1,000,000
Sandpiper, The (1965)	$1,000,000
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)	$1,000,000
Comedians, The (1967)	$500,000
Boom (1968)	$1,250,000
"North and South" (1985) (mini)	$200,000
Poker Alice (1987) (TV)	$500,000

[Beth]

She's supposed to be a good actress.

And she's famous for being Elizabeth Taylor Hilton Wilding Todd Fisher Burton Burton Warner Fortenski.