Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry

by Elizabeth Taylor, Ruth A. Peltason (Editor), Timothy R. Mendelson (Concept)

"Here, in my own words and as I remember them, are my cherished stories about a lifetime of fun and love and laughter...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

She has mesmerized movie audiences since her debut in National Velvet at the age of twelve, dazzled both men and women with her luminous beauty and iconic presence, displayed shrewd business acumen by creating a line of fragrances with unparalleled success, and her AIDS activism has been a call to arms for people around the world. She is Hollywood's greatest living star and a living legendElizabeth Taylor.

One of her greatest passions is jewelry, and over the years she has amassed one of the world's foremost collections. By the time she was in her thirties, Elizabeth Taylor already owned an outstanding set of Burmese rubies and diamonds from Cartier, a fantastic emerald and diamond suite from Bulgari, and the 33.19-carat Krupp diamond, a gift from Richard Burton. That ring was later eclipsed by a subsequent gift from Burton, when he bought a staggering 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond. Newly named the Taylor-Burton Diamond, it catapulted Elizabeth Taylor into that rarefied pantheon of great jewelry collectors.

In this revealing book, Elizabeth Taylor offers a personal guided tour of her collection. She takes us into her confidence, sharing personal anecdotes, witty asides, and intimate reminiscences about her life, her loves, and her collection. Whether talking about the famous La Peregrina pearl, which was briefly abducted by a household pet, or chatting about a childhood gift to her mother, Elizabeth Taylor shows herself to be the most seductive of storytellers: direct, irreverent, and charming.

Complementing the stories are 125 stunning new photographs of her most remarkable pieces, specially commissioned for this book, and more than 150 rarely seen images (many from Elizabeth Taylor's personal collection) of the star wearing her jewelry over the course of almost sixty years. We see her as a young ingenue of fifteen wearing what would be the first of many charm bracelets, and again, equally dazzling, as a mature woman, wearing the famous Duchess of Windsor diamond brooch, which she purchased to benefit AIDS research.

Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry marks the first time this beautiful jewelry will be seen together as a collection. Lavishly produced and illustrated, the book has an introduction by the world-renowned authority on jewelry, François Curiel, of Christie's. It is for those who are enchanted by this most incandescent and enduring star, for those who cherish and dream of jewelry, and most importantly, for those who believe in the true meaning of love. This book is a fabulous display of unbelievable glamour, assembled over a lifetime, by one of the most extraordinary women in the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Biography, Memoir, Jewellery, Art, History

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2002

About the author

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE is a two-time Academy Award-winning English-American actress. Known for her acting skills and beauty, as well as her Hollywood lifestyle, including many marriages, she is considered one of the great actresses of Hollywood’s golden years, as well as a larger-than-life celebrity.

The American Film Institute named Taylor seventh among the Greatest Female Stars of All Time.

Taylor died on March 23, 2011, surrounded by her four children at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 79.

Reviews

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don't want to be a sex symbol. I would rather be a symbol of a woman, a woman who makes mistakes, perhaps, but a woman who loves." pg 53

The incomparable Elizabeth Taylor shares anecdotes of her life between gorgeous photos of her personal jewelry collection.

My favorite parts are her memories about the tempestuous years between Richard Burton and herself. They're just so drama-filled.

"Richard went to Van Cleef & Arpels and came back with this extraordinary heart and choker. The necklace tends to 'roll,' so you don't see me wearing it much in photographs, but it's one of my favorite pieces of jewelry because it was given with such love. That man knew how to make up!" pg 118

Meanwhile, there's the jewelry... amazing stuff.

For example, there's a pearl that is pictured with a series of European monarchs that her puppy tried to eat once upon a time. Can you imagine?

And Elizabeth received gifts for any and all reasons imaginable. Had a fight? Make up jewelry. Become a grandma? Not-at-all grandma jewelry. Just a regular Tuesday? Here's some regular Tuesday jewelry.

It's so over-the-top and I love it so much. Highly recommended for readers seeking coffee table books. You can't get much more lovely than this.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bel Air, CA. March 13, 2002. Elizabeth Taylor’s Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry is a coffee-table book filled with stunning photographs of pieces of jewelry along with “stories” by the author relating how these pieces became part of her “lifetime of fun and love and laughter.” The love and appreciation of jewelry started for Ms. Taylor when she was 12/13 years old when she saved her allowance until she could afford this brooch she wished to give her mother that she had found at a Beverly Hills jewelry store. The brooch and story begin this appealing book on jewelry, family pictures, and a special custodian who loved these pieces of jewelry and the memories they gave her. Antique jewelry such as the Belle Époque diamond bracelet circa 1900, small jewelry as the Ping-Pong diamond ring, special jewelry appeared when Elizabeth’s husband, Mike Todd, presented her a Cartier
ruby and diamond necklace with a ruby and diamond bracelet and matching earrings also by Cartier as she sat by their pool, pregnant with their daughter. Unfortunately, they only has 13 months together before Mike was killed in a plane crash. Spectacular jewelry came with her marriage to Richard Burton in the form of the Krupp diamond (33.19 carats) with an almost unbelievable story attached. The author “cherished” her jewelry and how she received various pieces, but she always stated that she was only their custodian for a certain time. This remarkable book is for those who enjoy seeing fabulous pieces of jewelry appreciated. 5 stars.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really quite a beautiful book to look at and it is also imbibed with such an "Old Hollywood" feel to it.

I enjoyed seeing all the stunning pieces of jewelry that Elizabeth Taylor had previously owned..... or as she points out in this book was the "caretaker" for......."jewelry is a temporary gift"...she states..."As I look at some of my jewels I realize what a very lucky girl I am. Sometimes I wonder what will become of everything"......"they will all be up for auction one day"....."and I hope that whoever buys each piece loves it as much as I do".

For fans of the actress... there are many anecdotal stories included here... not only about the jewelry itself but also more personal stories involving the author and the important men in her life...that lends an additional romantic quality to this visually stunning art book.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her magical fucking life, man. Just unimaginable.

[Bradley Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a junky when it comes to Classic Hollywood icons, so I HAVE to buy and read any book that the Silver Screen Queens write! This book is a fantastic showcase of Liz Taylor's jewels and the anecdotes that go with each piece is heartwarming. My personal favorite is the La Peregrina. The best quote from Taylor can be found in the acknowledgment with, "You can't cry on a diamond's shoulder, and diamonds won't keep you warm at night. But they're sure fun when the sun shines."

[Becky Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother passed this library book onto me once she was finished, and we both really enjoyed it. This is the only book Taylor wrote herself, and it's an interesting, fabled look inside her legendary Hollywood lifestyle. Seriously, her jewels would put the Queen to shame. The only thing that would make it better is if we could reach into the book and pull out one of the pieces for ourselves.

[Amy Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictorial collection of Elizabeth Taylor's impressive array of jewelry, collected over the years by her and given to her as gifts. Loved the stories and history that accompanied all the pieces. Very enjoyable for a jewelry lover like me♡

[Seville Croker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Taylor is the epitome of beauty, glamour, and love.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for anything that sparkles and Liz had a lot of it! The emeralds from Mike Todd and the custom diamond/pearl/ruby necklace as a replica of something from Mary, Queen of Scots are my favorites!

[Westley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautiful woman in the world with some of the most beautiful jewels in the world.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid 3-star for me. Beautiful photos but the information was only meh.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book of some of the most beautiful jewelry in the world, with a few brief context stories mixed in. Don’t expect any great details

[Larkin J · Rating 4 out of 5]

She really was the blueprint, the icon of an era. So much of her jewelry and style remind me of my classy grandmother's jewels (real or otherwise) she dressed up with.

I know this book was short and really only meant to cover her sentimental or really impressive pieces, but I would have loved to see more of her collection. Or honestly to hear more about her life!

[Alex Shalan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Taylor was in a stratosphere of celebrity that doesn’t exist today. Her intimate showcase of her jewelry and storytelling behind it is remarkable. Her appreciation and love of jewelry was admirable as she believed she was a custodian of the jewelry and that it would have new life after her. Highly recommend for anyone that’s a fan of Dame Elizabeth.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began my look into Elizabeth Taylor's life by reading a very large biography of her life. However, I had wished that I had seen more pictures of her and loved looking at all the jewelry she was lavished with. When the author suggest reading this book I couldn't get to the library fast enough. I truly wish that the stories in this book were more than the stories everyone knew. I was also shocked by how many pieces were just so grand! She could have bought a country with the amount of worth is in those pages. I would recommend anyone who is interested in Elizabeth Taylor to check out this book, because it really gives you insight into just how grand her life was.

[Nine Provinces · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coffee table sized book is a great unofficial companion to Donald Spoto's biography of Elizabeth Taylor. Written by Ms. Taylor herself, we read more personal anecdotes than jewel history, or even Hollywood history.

That said, the photos are spectacular and there would be no way to experience the details of the jewels that defined Elizabeth Taylor's exuberance without a hefty picture book.

Some examples of Ms. Taylor's epic collection featured in the book: la Peregrina, a giant pearl which dates back to 1515 and Mary Tudor; the Mike Todd tiara, a stunning work from the 19th century. Not one but two emerald and diamond chunky bracelets (one zig-zag, one not) which go with an an eye popping parure. A Cartier ruby suite that Mike Todd famously gave Elizabeth at poolside....the famous chandelier earrings.....The Taj Mahal diamond necklace, two massive "ice skating rink" engagement rings, and so much more. Cartier (it bears repeating), Bulgari, Tiffany, van Cleef...

The photos are truly a feast for the eyes and I would recommend doing a little reading on Elizabeth Taylor to understand the backstory. How DOES an individual with roots in Kansas wind up owning more than the crown jewels of an entire nation? This particular book does not elaborate on that topic (Donald Spoto's does), but it gives us a nice, juicy look at said jewels.

Elizabeth famously provides sound bites about jewelry....not owning it, being the conservator for future generations....about wearing her tiara in the pool....and "It's Tuesday I love you", something Richard Burton apparently said while bestowing a Queen-worthy emerald parure on Elizabeth. These quotes are all legend, but it's fun to hear them from the source.

It's also very interesting to see a collection of jewelry curated from the heart. Most other major collections belong to a monarch, royal family, or are property of the state. Therefore, there are numerous diplomatic , historic, and political reasons that royal vaults are populated as they are. In contrast, Ms. Taylor's collection is curated completely by her whims. We are treated to wild contrasts in style and origin.

After Elizabeth's death, her jewels were auctioned for charitable causes dear to Ms. Taylor.

This book is major eye candy for any gem appreciator.

[Christine Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a love affair with jewelry too, but nothing nearly as impressive as this stunning collection. It's a pure pleasure to admire these incredible gems and the charming stories that go with them (gift from Richard Burton, gift from Eddie Fisher, gift wheedled out of Rex Harrison). I wonder where all these gorgeous pieces ended up after her death? Her daughter Liza Todd is a lucky girl! This book was an excellent idea, and it is a gem in itself. Favorite quote: "In closing, I hope that all of my family and dear friends who have been a part of my life know that I cherish their love more than anything. You can't cry on a diamond's shoulder, and diamonds won't keep you warm at night. But they're sure fun when the sun shines."

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not a huge fan of Elizabeth Taylor, I totally enjoyed the gorgeous pictures (and entertaining accompanying historical background/ stories) from her varied jewelry collection. Filled with pictures of diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings (and a tiara, to boot), the chapters are loosely arranged by the jewels given to her at different points in her life (primarily from her many husbands). Definitely a must for Taylor fans, and anyone who loves looking at beautiful jewelry.

[Gini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had pined for this book for many years. I finally purchased it and read it nearly in one sitting! The photographs were mesmerizing. What I was most taken with is the style in which this book was written. Being that these were Elizabeth Taylor's own words, you feel like you are chatting with a dear old friend. So comfortable and so open. It is definitely a book to collect and proudly host on your coffee table.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a little girl my favorite thing to do was go through my mom’s jewelry drawer in her dresser. It was a rare treat for me to look at her beautiful sparkling necklaces, bracelets, and pins. I was filled with awe and excitement every time that I saw them. Whenever mom wore them she looked like a queen.

This is how I felt when I turned every page in this book. It brought me back to those wonderful moments.

[Ingrid Martins]

This really felt like I was perusing through Elizabeth Taylor’s collection while chatting with her.
You can feel her love and admiration for her jewelry, each piece carries a different meaning and adds to her story, from the “It’s Tuesday I Love You” tradition with her husband, as with her exchanging elephants with Michael Jackson.
You discover along the pages, that the true treasure was actually her.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photography here of the late Elizabeth Taylor's legendary jewelry collection is truly spectacular. The photos of her wearing the pieces show how extraordinarily beautiful she was, and how she retained that beauty over the decades. The anecdotes about her life, and some of her many loves, is interesting too. It's worthwhile to spend an hour or so enjoying this book.

[Brittaney Borman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I could care less about jewelry, I loved seeing Taylor's collection and hearing the memories behind each piece. It gave a personal glimpse at a legendary woman as well as at some famous pieces I would never have the chance to see otherwise.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever you may think of Liz's TASTE in jewelry, it's undeniably opulent and incredibly lux. The many pictures and her personal anecdotes make this a must for any gemstone or jewelry fan, let alone the devotees of Ms. Taylor herself.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous... if you love Elizabeth Taylor, if you love jewelry.... what more can I say. Read it.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taylor came across as a collector cognizant of what she attained and its history, a nice shock to how most would expect celebrities to come across. The pieces in here were gorgeous.

[Dirty Magpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't so much a read, although it is lovely at that, but a glorious intake of the photos of her amazing and beautiful jewelry.

[LRK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun coffee table book, full of lovely pictures and Elizabeth Taylor's amusing reminiscences about her jewelry.

[Juliewheatcox.Net · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this book. I was expecting photos of Elizabeth wearing her famous jewels, but it was mostly just jewelry that my husband & I didn’t even like, and he sells jewelry.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photos and stories about a fabulous jewel collection.