Elizabeth Taylor's Ring Saga: Krupp Diamond & $100M Christie’s Auction

When Elizabeth Taylor stepped onto the red carpet for the last time, the world remembered more than her Oscar‑winning roles – it remembered the glittering trail of engagement rings that marked every chapter of her love life. Over ten engagements and eight marriages, the actress amassed a trove of jewels that would later fuel a $100 million Christie’s auction, turning personal romance into a public spectacle. The most talked‑about piece? A 33.19‑carat emerald‑cut diamond, better known as the Krupp Diamond, gifted by Richard Burton in 1968 while they lounged on their yacht on the River Thames in London.

From a Teenage Proposal to Hollywood’s Most Famous Rings

Taylor’s first taste of sparkle came at 17, when William Pawley Jr., the son of U.S. Ambassador William D. Pawley, slipped a cushion‑cut diamond ring onto her finger in 1949. The stone, estimated at 2‑5 carats and graded D‑J in color, was worth roughly $20,000 – a small fortune for a teenager. The following year, she said “yes” to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton Jr., heir to the Hilton hotel empire. Their four‑carat platinum‑set diamond ring, valued at $10,000, sparkled beneath the arches of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills. The wedding on May 6, 1950 made headlines worldwide, yet it dissolved after just eight months. Later suitors – Michael Wilding with a sapphire piece, Mike Todd with an emerald‑cut “ice skating rink” stone, and Eddie Fisher who opted for a diamond bracelet rather than a ring – added layers to a collection that read like a Hollywood résumé.

The Iconic Krupp Diamond and Its Storied Journey

Burton’s 1968 gift eclipsed everything else. The Krupp Diamond, cut in the classic emerald style, measured 21.77 × 18.74 mm. Its top‑grade D color and Type IIA classification made it ultra‑rare; the GIA later upgraded it from VS1 to an internal‑flawless grade. At the time of the 2011 auction, the stone was still being re‑graded. Taylor recalled the moment aboard their Thames‑side yacht: “It was like an ice‑skating rink on my finger,” she said, laughing. The ring’s two tapered baguettes framed the massive center stone, and its total weight made it cover the lower knuckle of a typical 17 mm finger. Initially estimated at $275,000 in 1959, the piece’s value ballooned over the decades, eventually contributing a sizeable chunk to the $100 million auction haul.

Beyond Rings: The Rest of Taylor’s $100 Million Treasure

Rings were only the tip of the iceberg. Burton also secured the famed La Peregrina pearl for $37,000, later setting it in a Cartier necklace that fetched $11 million at Christie’s. A Bvlgari sapphire sautoir, given on Taylor’s 40th birthday, featured a 52.72‑carat sugarloaf sapphire surrounded by pavé diamonds; the piece alone sold for $3.5 million. Other suitors contributed: John Warner’s emerald‑dotted band, Victor Luna’s sapphire ring, Dennis Stein’s sapphire‑diamond combo, and Larry Fortensky’s pave‑band design. Altogether, the collection filled an entire room at the auction, each box a chapter of love, loss, and lavishness.

Christie’s 2011 Auction: Numbers, Highlights, and Legacy

On December 16, 2011, Christie’s opened the doors to what the house called the "Hollywood Jewels" sale. The event, officially titled Christie’s Hollywood Jewels AuctionNew York, drew collectors from every continent. Key figures:

• Krupp Diamond – sold for $8.8 million.
• La Peregrina necklace – $11 million.
• Total auction revenue – $100.3 million.
• Number of items sold – 258.

Auctioneer Henry Javits noted, “Taylor’s pieces aren’t just gems; they’re cultural artifacts of an era when movies and jewelry were inseparable.” The sale set a new benchmark for celebrity jewelry, prompting other estates to consider similar public disposals.

What the Collection Says About Love, Fame, and the Business of Glamour

Taylor once said, “I have never thought of my jewelry as trophies. I am just here to take care of them.” Yet the market’s reaction proved otherwise. Each stone carried a story, but also a price tag that escalated with every headline. The Krupp Diamond, for example, illustrates how personal sentiment can be turned into an asset class. Its journey from a yacht‑side proposal to a glass case at Christie’s mirrors the shift in how celebrity wealth is managed – from private indulgence to public investment. Moreover, the collection underscores Hollywood’s long‑standing relationship with luxury brands. From Cartier to Bvlgari, designers leveraged Taylor’s fame to showcase craftsmanship, while Taylor used those pieces to cement her own mythos.

Key Facts

• Elizabeth Taylor owned 8 verified engagement rings from 10 engagements.
• The Krupp Diamond weighed 33.19 carats and was the centerpiece of the 2011 auction.
• Christie’s realized $100.3 million from the Hollywood Jewels sale.
• La Peregrina pearl necklace fetched $11 million, the highest price for a single pearl at auction.
• Taylor’s romantic timeline spanned 1949‑1997, ending with her marriage to Larry Fortensky.