Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry and Other Items to Be Auctioned for AIDS Foundation

Christie's will auction the Elizabeth Taylor collection in December of 2011, and plans to host worldwide exhibitions of some items during the months leading up to the auctions.
Starting in September, 2011, a selection of items from the Elizabeth Taylor collection of jewelry, fashions, memorabilia, artwork and other items will shown in Moscow, London, Los Angeles, Dubai, Geneva, Paris and Hong Kong.

In December, the entire collection will make its way back to Christie's Rockefeller Center Gallery in New York, where it will be on exhibit for ten days prior to being auctioned.

Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection alone was valued at about $150-million when she passed away in March, 2011. At that time, representatives announced that an auction would take place, with proceeds donated to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Christie's will donate a portion of the proceeds it receives from the exhibitions to the same charity.

Some of the jewelry included in the Taylor auctions:

• The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, a 33.19 carat gift from Richard Burton, valued up to $3,500,000
• La Pérégrina, an early 16th century pearl, ruby and diamond necklace, valued up to $3,000,000
• BVLGARI emerald and diamond necklace, earrings, ring and bracelet, a gift from Richard Burton, valued up to $3,500,000
• Cartier ruby and diamond necklace, bracelet and earrings, a gift from Mike Todd in 1957, valued up to $620,000 (her necklace and earrings are visible in the 2001 photo above)

• BVLGARI sapphire and diamond sautoir, a 40th birthday gift from Richard Burton in 1972, valued up to $800,000
• The Taj Mahal diamond (circa 1627) on a Cartier gold and ruby chain, another 40th birthday gift from Richard Burton, valued up to $500,000
• The Cleopatra Mirror, a turquoise and gold mirror by BVLGARI, valued up to $12,000

It won't be surprising to see Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry bring much more than its estimated value.

Key Dates for the Elizabeth Taylor Collection New York Exhibit & Auctions

• December 3 - 12: Public Exhibition of the Elizabeth Taylor Collection
• December 13: Evening Sale, The Legendary Jewels
• December 14: Additional Jewelry
• December 15: Fashions & Accessories
• December 16: Fine and Decorative Arts; Film Memorabilia
• February, 2012: Impressionist and Modern Art (at Christie’s London)

Photos of auction jewelry as they become available.

See: A Look Back at Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry