Elizabeth Taylor and Cartier

Published on: September 3rd, 2010

Cartier and The Dame

“I’ve never thought of my jewelry as trophies. I’m here to take care of it and to love it, for we are only temporary custodians of beauty.” – Elizabeth Taylor, My Love Affair with Jewelry.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor wearing the Taylor-Burton Diamond
Photo from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Published by Vanity Fair

Elizabeth Taylor wore the 69.42 carat Taylor-Burton Diamond to the 1970 Academy Awards. Cartier sold the famous pear shaped diamond to Richard Burton the previous year for $1.1 million. “Originally, I wore the diamond as a ring, but even for me it was too big, so we had Cartier design a necklace. I’m still sick that I sold it some years later.” – Elizabeth Taylor, My Love Affair with Jewelry

69.42 carat Taylor-Burton Diamond
Cartier.com

Cartier Ruby and Diamond Necklace

Cartier Ruby and Diamond Necklace (1951)
Photo by John Bigelow Taylor

Taylor’s third husband, Mike Todd, gave her a Cartier ruby and diamond necklace. “He was holding a red leather box, and inside was a ruby necklace, which glittered in the warm light. It was like the sun, lit up and made of red fire.” – Elizabeth Taylor, My Love Affair with Jewelry

Elizabeth Taylor wearing
Cartier Ruby and Diamond Suite (1958)
Photo © Photofest

La Peregrina

Elizabeth Taylor wearing
La Peregrina Pearl suspended from
Cartier Natural Pearl, Diamond, and Ruby Necklace
Royal Jewels Thread

La Peregrina is a remarkable pear shaped natural pearl weighing 55.95 carats. Discovered in the Gulf of Panama in the early 1500s, and later owned by the Spanish royal family, the massive pearl was given to Mary Tudor of England as a wedding gift from Prince Phillip II. In 1969 Richard Burton bought the pearl for Elizabeth, and Cartier created a natural pearl, ruby and diamond necklace inspired by the jewel in Queen Mary’s portrait.

Portrait of Queen Mary I
wearing La Peregrina Pearl
History of La Peregrina