Elizabeth Taylor was recognised for her diamonds not just because she wore them — but because she made them iconic.
Here’s why she became synonymous with diamonds:
Elizabeth Taylor’s jewellery collection included some of the rarest and most valuable diamonds in history:
- The Taylor-Burton Diamond – A 69.42-carat pear-shaped D-flawless diamond gifted by Richard Burton. It made headlines in 1969.
- The Krupp Diamond (now called the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond) – A 33.19-carat Asscher-cut diamond, famed for its clarity and brilliance.
- The Taj Mahal Diamond – A heart-shaped Mughal diamond necklace, another gift from Burton.
Taylor didn’t keep her diamonds locked away. She:
- Wore them to red carpets, royal events, and interviews.
- Was photographed casually wearing million-dollar diamonds.
- Said famously: “Big girls need big diamonds.”
In the 1950s–1980s, Elizabeth Taylor’s beauty, scandalous romances, and extravagant jewellery became symbols of Hollywood luxury and allure. Diamonds were part of her brand.
Each diamond in her collection had a story: a lover, a location, a scandal. The diamonds were deeply tied to her personal narrative, especially her passionate love affair with Richard Burton.
The Taylor-Burton Diamond is one of the most famous diamonds in modern history, known for its extraordinary size, value, and the legendary romance behind it. Purchased by Richard Burton in 1969 for Elizabeth Taylor, as a declaration of his love, after it was auctioned by Cartier for $1.1 million (a breaking record at the time for a public sale of a jewel), originally called the Cartier Diamond, but renamed the Taylor-Burton Diamond after Richard Burton bought it from Cartier the day after the auction.
Key Details of the Taylor-Burton Diamond:
- Carat Weight (original rough): 241 carats (uncut)
- Carat Weight (cut): 69.42 carats (pear-shaped)
- Color: D-color (exceptionally white)
- Clarity: IF (Internally Flawless)
- Cut: Pear-shaped brilliant
- Origin: Discovered in 1966 at the Premier Mine, South Africa (same mine as the Cullinan Diamond)
- Cut by: Harry Winston (initially), later recut by Cartier after a flaw was found
The Taylor-Burton diamond has delighted the public for many years while it was in the possession of the gorgeous actress. Elizabeth Taylor later sold the piece in aid of building a much-needed hospital in Botswana, a great gesture to return value back to Africa. The Taylor-Burton has moved gracefully through history.
Wear the iconic Taylor-Burton neckpiece and step onto the red carpet at The Diamond Works Cape Town, capture your royal diamond moment through augmented reality!