British-born actress Elizabeth Taylor shows off the famous 33.19 carat diamond ring given to her by husband Richard Burton. (Getty Images)
Christie’s is putting a preview of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelries and art collection on eight cities in seven countries before it goes out for auction. The jewelry for sale includes Taylor’s much-photographed 33-carat rectangular-cut diamond, a gift from two-time-husband Richard Burton, now estimated at $2.5 million to $3.5 million.
The ring is so famous that at a wedding in London, Princess Margaret once asked her: ‘Is that the famous diamond?’
‘Yes,’ Elizabeth told her, lifting up her hand so that it would catch the light. ‘It’s so large! How very vulgar!’ the Princess remarked. ‘Would you mind if I tried it on?’
Art highlights include major paintings by Degas, Pissarro and Van Gogh (on view in London but not L.A.) as well as works on paper that the actress received from artist-admirers like Andy Warhol (on view in L.A.).
