Elizabeth Taylor was not only famous for her acting talent, charity work or interesting personal life, but also for her great love for beautiful jewelry. She even wrote a book about her passion for jewelry - Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry.
Her jewelry collection included many beautiful pieces, but the most valuable ones were Cartier ruby and diamond set from third husband, Mike Todd; The Krupp Diamond - a 33.19-carat stone from Richard Burton; The Peregrina Pearl, a natural pearl once owned by Bloody Mary, Queen of Scots; and the Taylor-Burton diamond - a 69.42-carat stone that was once the most expensive diamond in the world at $1.1 million.
As a great philanthropist Taylor often donated some of her jewelry to raise money for charity. When she donated the emerald & diamond engagement ring from Richard Burton she said:
"Please know that it is not easy for me to give it away. It is only my commitment to AIDS that persuaded me to let it go. My love is inside that ring forever.”
The actress died on Wednesday 3/23/2011 at 79 from congestive heart failure.
