Elizabeth Taylor, the Hollywood icon of the mid-twentieth century, was known for her beauty, charisma, and of course, her collection of stunning jewelry. Despite having eight marriages throughout her lifetime, no other engagement ring was as iconic as the one she had received from her third husband, film producer Mike Todd.
The Story Behind the Ring
In February of 1957, Elizabeth Taylor met Mike Todd, a producer known for his work on films such as “Around the World in 80 Days.” They began dating shortly after meeting one another, and Todd proposed to Taylor while they were on a trip to Acapulco, Mexico, in a very romantic way. He took the bed sheets that they had used during their stay and had them embroidered with the message “Will you marry me?”, then sent his staff to cover her bungalow before taking her there so she could see it all. After she said yes, Todd presented her with a ring with a 29.4-carat emerald-cut diamond while aboard his private plane. It was a ring that would become as legendary as Taylor herself.
The Design of the Ring
The ring itself was a custom design by the fourth-generation jeweler Harry Winston and was valued at $200,000 at the time. The diamond in the ring was classified as a Type IIa diamond, which means that it was not only white but chemically pure. The color of Type IIa diamonds usually ranges from colorless to yellow, with exceptional clarity. The cut of the stone was an emerald cut, which is a rectangular shape with trimmed edges that make the diamond set flat and lengthwise on the finger.
The Length of Ownership
Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd’s marriage was tragically short-lived. Todd was killed in a plane crash in March of 1958, leaving Taylor a widow. However, this did not deter her from keeping the beautiful ring that he had given her during their engagement. Taylor continued to wear the ring, despite remarrying several more times, up until 1978 when she auctioned it for charity.
The Value of the Ring Today
More than 60 years after Taylor received the ring, it has become one of the most famous engagement rings in history. The ring features a diamond of extraordinary quality and an even more unique backstory. It’s hard to put a price on such a storied piece of jewelry, but experts have suggested that it could be worth anywhere between $2.5 million to $3 million today.
Conclusion
The story behind Elizabeth Taylor’s engagement ring is one of romance and timeless beauty. Despite her many marriages, this ring remains as one of her most iconic possessions. The ring’s unique design, and sheer size, along with its connection to one of Hollywood’s most famous romantic couples, makes it one of the most recognizable pieces of jewelry in the world. Its unparalleled value and exquisite beauty certainly make this engagement ring one that will never be forgotten.
FAQ
Who got the money from Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry?
Elizabeth Taylor was known for her stunning jewelry collection, which included exquisite pieces from some of the world’s top jewelry designers. When the actress passed away in 2011, there was much speculation about what would happen to her vast collection of jewels.
In December of that year, Christie’s auction house held a sale for The Elizabeth Taylor Collection, featuring over 1,000 items from the actress’s personal collection. The highlight of the sale was Taylor’s vast assortment of jewelry, which included such iconic pieces as the 33-carat Krupp diamond ring and the La Peregrina pearl necklace.
The sale was a major success, with the jewelry alone fetching a staggering $115.9 million dollars. This set a world record for a private jewelry collection sold at auction, and caused a major sensation in the art world. The auction stretched over four days, with buyers from all over the world clamoring to acquire a piece of Hollywood history.
So who got the money from Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry? The proceeds from the sale went to The Elizabeth Taylor Foundation, a nonprofit organization that the actress founded in 1991 to support HIV/AIDS research and other charitable causes. The organization has since raised millions of dollars for various charities, including AIDS research, art education, and humanitarian relief.
The sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry was a major event in the art world, and the proceeds from the sale went to support the actress’s charitable mission. The Elizabeth Taylor Foundation continues to do important work to this day, thanks in part to the incredible legacy left by the actress’s stunning jewelry collection.
How many carats is Melania Trump’s diamond ring?
Melania Trump is known for her love of luxury, and her engagement ring is no exception. The ring is a stunning piece that features high-grade diamonds and is estimated to be worth quite a bit of money. The ring was given to her by Donald Trump in 2005 when they got engaged, and it has captured the attention of jewelry enthusiasts ever since.
The ring is made up of 13 carats of high-grade diamonds. Each diamond weighs 0.86 carats and is set in a platinum band. The diamonds are said to be of the highest quality, which is what gives the ring its stunning sparkle.
According to Alexandra Michell, a gemologist at Prestige Pawnbrokers, the ring was valued at £300,000 in 2005 when it was first given to Melania. However, due to increases in the value of diamonds and the ring’s status as a unique piece of jewelry, it is now valued at £460,000.
It’s worth noting that this is not the only engagement ring that Melania has received from Donald Trump. In 2016, she debuted a new ring that was also created by Graff, the same jewelry designer that created her original engagement ring. This new ring features an emerald-cut diamond that weighs around 25 carats.
Melania Trump’s engagement ring is a stunning piece of jewelry that features 13 carats of high-grade diamonds set in a platinum band. The ring is valued at £460,000 and was created by the prestigious jewelry designer Graff. With such a high-quality design and diamonds that are of the highest quality, it’s no wonder why Melania’s ring has caught the attention of so many people.
How many carats was Priscilla Presley’s ring?
When Elvis Presley proposed to Priscilla Beaulieu, he made sure to impress her with a stunning diamond engagement ring. The ring was designed by Harry Levitch, a jeweler from Memphis. The center stone of the ring was a 3.5-carat diamond, which was surrounded by twenty detachable diamonds.
The ring, which epitomized the luxury and glamour of the 1960s, was an instant hit among the couple’s fans and followers. The detachable diamond surround could be removed, leaving the 3.5-carat diamond as a standalone piece. This added to the versatility and value of the ring.
The 3.5-carat diamond was no small feat. In fact, a diamond of this size would have cost quite a considerable amount in the 1960s. According to experts, a 3.5-carat diamond of good quality could easily fetch around $75,000 to $100,000 in today’s market.
Today, Priscilla Presley’s ring remains a popular icon of the 1960s. The fashionable and elegant design of the ring, combined with the legacy of Elvis Presley, has made it one of the most recognizable and sought-after celebrity engagement rings of all time. It’s no surprise that even several decades later, Priscilla’s ring continues to capture the hearts of Elvis fans all over the world.