Elizabeth Taylor’s diamonds have dazzled on countless red carpets, but her goddaughter’s latest photographs show them in a much more personal setting.
Victoria Brynner has opened her family album to share pictures of her children wearing the Hollywood legend’s extraordinary jewelry, from an elaborate tiara to a spectacular emerald and diamond necklace.
Taken in 2011, the photographs offer a close-up look at pieces that became almost as famous as the actress herself. Among them is the Bulgari necklace Kim Kardashian recently tried on during her visit to Rome.
Victoria, the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Yul Brynner and Elizabeth’s close friend Doris Brynner, explained the memories behind the images in her Instagram caption.
“These were amazing pieces, and I was lucky enough in 2011 to photograph my children wearing them,” she wrote.
The photographs were taken the year Elizabeth died at 79, giving the collection an additional family significance. Rings, diamonds and emeralds fill the carousel, with one particularly large stone drawing comparisons to the actress’s famous Krupp diamond.
Elizabeth Taylor’s extraordinary diamond collection
Many of Elizabeth’s most treasured jewels were gifts marking important relationships and milestones.
Her 19th-century diamond tiara came from her third husband, film producer Mike Todd. Richard Burton, whom she married twice, gave her the 33.19-carat diamond that became one of her signature accessories.
© InstagramAccording to Christie’s, Elizabeth wore that diamond virtually every day after receiving it in 1968. Renamed the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, the ring fetched more than $8.8 million when it went under the hammer in December 2011.
The jewelry auctions brought in more than $137.2 million over two days, setting a record for a jewelry sale.
Another highlight was La Peregrina, the historic pearl Burton gave Elizabeth in 1969. Once part of the Spanish crown jewels, it sold for more than $11.8 million.
Kim Kardashian’s Elizabeth Taylor jewelry moment
Victoria’s post follows renewed attention surrounding Elizabeth’s Bulgari necklace, after Kim shared footage of herself wearing it during her All’s Fair press trip.
© InstagramIn an Instagram video posted on October 28, Kim visited Bulgari in Rome with her mother, Kris Jenner, where the necklace had been brought out of the archives.
The fitting was arranged by her stylist, Law Roach, as a birthday surprise. Kim also recalled a connection with Elizabeth herself, explaining that she “was lucky enough to have a phone conversation with her about this piece.”
She revealed that she had previously visited Elizabeth’s home after her death and seen the jewelry before it was removed.
© InstagramFor Elizabeth’s family, sharing those pieces with others was consistent with the way she had viewed her collection.
Following the 2011 auctions, her son Chris Wilding said: “My mother always acknowledged that she was merely the temporary custodian of the incredible things she owned.”
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