Liz Taylor: the queen of diamonds

The 33.19 carats Krupp Diamond - once owned by Vera Krupp - was the first diamond Richard bought for her. He paid 305,000 US dollars (in 1968).

Cut, grade and the ring setting

The Krupp Diamond is described in gemological sources as an Asscher cut, Type IIa stone, with records noting very high colour and clarity grades. References cite a D colour grade and a VS1 clarity in several catalogues, attributes that place it among the technically finest large white diamonds. Type IIa diamonds have very little nitrogen, which often contributes to exceptional transparency in large white stones.

The stone was mounted in an Art Deco–inspired platinum ring, a setting that matched the Asscher’s geometric facets. The centre was flanked by tapered baguette side stones that emphasised the step-cut geometry, producing a restrained, architectural silhouette rather than the intense sparkle of brilliant cuts. Contemporary descriptions note a relatively large culet and the step facets that create the Asscher’s hall-of-mirrors effect; these traits make the stone visually distinct when set in the low-profile platinum mountings popular in mid-century high jewellery.

For non-specialists, the combination of Asscher cut, D colour and VS1 clarity explains the Krupp’s appeal. An Asscher cut of this size highlights clarity and symmetry rather than sheer scintillation, so high colour and clarity grades help preserve an even, luminous appearance. Being Type IIa increases the stone’s appeal to collectors because such diamonds are relatively rare among large historic gems. Together, the gemological profile and the Art Deco setting create the museum-quality presence that made the Krupp a natural showpiece in Elizabeth Taylor’s collection.

Taylor wore the ring in some of her movies, during her interview on Larry King Live in 2003 and at almost every acte de présence. But her most famous diamond was without any doubt the 69.42 carats pear-shaped diamond - the so-called Taylor-Burton Diamond - which Burton bought at an auction for more than 1 million US dollars. The diamond was originally worn in a ring. 'But even for me it was too big.', Taylor said. 'So we've asked Cartier to design a necklace.' She wore the new design during the Oscars in 1970. It’s one of the most well-known necklaces in history.

After her death, all of her jewels were auctioned at Christie’s New York for about 106 million euros, an absolute record. It was the most lucrative auction of jewelry ever. The masterpiece was the necklace 'Peregrina', also a present from her ex-husband Richard Burton. This jewel was part of the Spanish Crown Jewels in the 16^th century and auctioned for about 9 million euros.

Other highlights from Taylor’s collection

Beyond her best-known diamonds, Elizabeth Taylor’s Christie’s sale revealed a broad selection of high jewellery and objets d’art. One standout non-diamond lot was a Bulgari emerald suite, a matched grouping that included a necklace, bracelet and earrings, each piece notable for deep, richly saturated emeralds and classical Bulgari design. The suite drew attention for both its provenance and its craftsmanship and ranked among the more closely watched items in the catalogue.

The Peregrina necklace, long linked to Taylor and Burton, is notable for a provenance that stretches back to the Spanish crown jewels in the 16th century. It passed through royal and private hands before becoming a signature piece in Taylor’s wardrobe. Other non-diamond highlights included select paintings and personal effects that reflected Taylor’s taste for historic works and bespoke objects; these pieces attracted collectors interested in celebrity provenance as much as intrinsic artistic value.

Taken together, the non-diamond lots showed that the 2011 sale was not only a dispersal of sparkling stones but a curated release of emblematic pieces from a collection assembled over decades. The variety and quality of the non-diamond material widened the auction’s appeal, drawing collectors of high jewellery, historic artefacts and celebrity memorabilia alike.

The Krupp / Elizabeth Taylor Diamond: provenance and auction history

follows a dramatic path from private ownership through theft, recovery and auction. Originally owned by German actress Vera Krupp, the stone appears in public records from the mid-20th century before the events that shaped its later fame.

In 1959 the Krupp Diamond made headlines after a burglary in which it was stolen from Vera Krupp. The case crossed borders and eventually involved the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, which recovered the main stone along with several accompanying diamonds. The recovery returned the gem to Krupp and added a sensational chapter to its early history.

Nearly ten years later, in 1968, Richard Burton bought the Krupp Diamond as a gift for Elizabeth Taylor, starting a new, highly public chapter in the jewel’s life. Burton’s purchase reflected the couple’s well-known taste for lavish presents and helped push the gem further into the public eye. Taylor wore the diamond on several public occasions, which increased its renown.

The diamond remained among Taylor’s best-known possessions until her estate was dispersed. At Christie’s sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels in December 2011, the Krupp Diamond was offered amid intense media attention as part of a larger auction that set records for a single-owner jewellery estate. The stone’s presence in that sale reinforced collector interest and helped establish price benchmarks for historic gems with strong provenance.

Today the Krupp/Elizabeth Taylor Diamond is remembered for its size and beauty and for the series of events around it: an early-owner theft and recovery, a high-profile mid-century purchase and a museum-quality estate sale. That sequence of ownership and episodes is a large part of why the stone remains one of the better-known historic diamonds.