Elizabeth Taylor's jewels come to auction

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Elizabeth Taylor's jewels come to auction

Photos: The late film star Elizabeth Taylor's jewels come to auction at Christie's, 2011.

The late Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor amassed one of the foremost jewelry collections in the world. Christie's auction house is selling her complete jewelry collection, valued at $30 million, in New York on Dec. 13-14. This ruby and diamond necklace, a gift of Taylor's third husband, theater and film producer Mike Todd, is estimated at $200,000 - $300,000. - AP

Taylor's emerald and diamond necklace and pendant, attached at the bottom, part of a suite by BVLGARI, were a gift from film star Richard Burton, to whom Taylor was twice married.

One of the most extravagant gifts Taylor received from Burton was the asscher-cut 33.19-carat diamond set in a platinum ring. Known as the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, Christie's jewelry expert Rahul Kadakia said its size and clarity makes it a perfect gem. Burton purchased it in 1968 at a New York auction for $305,000. At the December sale, it's expected to fetch $2.5 million to $3.5 million. "Elizabeth Taylor used to refer to it as her baby," said Kadakia. - AP

Richard Burton was enamored of historical pieces, and in 1972 purchased the famous 17th-century Taj Mahal diamond pendant for Taylor's 40th birthday. The necklace has a pre-sale estimate of $300,000 to $500,000. - AP

Taylor's diamond, emerald and gold "Snake" bracelet watch, by BVLGARI, circa 1961, estimated at $12,000 - $15,000. - AP

"The Mike Todd Tiara, " estimated at $60,000 - $80,000, was another gift from Taylor's third husband, Mike Todd.

Taylor's diamond and multi-colored sapphire "Ball" ear clips, from JARS, are estimated at $100,000 - $150,000. - AP

Estimated at $70,000 - $100,000, this is part of a Suite of Kunzite, amethyst and diamond "Triphanes" jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels from Elizabeth Taylor's estate. - AP

Among the standouts is the 16th-century La Peregrina, one of the largest and most symmetrically perfect pear-shaped pearls in the world, which Richard Burton purchased for Taylor in 1969 as a Valentine's Day gift. Once part of the Crown Jewels of Spain, the pearl later passed into the hands of Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon III and the Duke of Abercorn. It is estimated to fetch $2 million to $3 million. - AP

Taylor's gold and ivory necklace featuring ivory opera passes, circa 18th and 19th centuries, a gift from the estate of Edith Head, is estimated at $1,500 - $2,000. - AP

Taylor's "The Prince of Wales Brooch, " is estimated at $400,000 - $600,000. The entire collection will be exhibited from Dec. 3-10 at Christie's New York galleries. A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition admissions and publications related to the sales will be donated to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Proceeds from the auctions will go to Taylor's estate. - AP

1/11

The late Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor amassed one of the foremost jewelry collections in the world. Christie's auction house is selling her complete jewelry collection, valued at $30 million, in New York on Dec. 13-14. This ruby and diamond necklace, a gift of Taylor's third husband, theater and film producer Mike Todd, is estimated at $200,000 - $300,000. - AP

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