Elizabeth Taylor, the legendary actress and philanthropist, has recently been featured in the news as questions and concerns about her health have made headlines in newspapers and tabloids across the world. As she turns 79 years old, Taylor is currently under close hospital care in the Los Angelas area. As a past client of ours she holds a special place in our heart, and on behalf of all of us at Laruen B Jewelry we wish her a speedy and full recovery. On account of this recent news, we would like to share our personal stories about Elizabeth Taylor.
As chronicled in her book, “Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry”, she is an avid collector and enthusiast of fine jewelry from some of the most well known luxury jewelry houses in the world. Some of the most notable items in her extensive collection are the 33.19 carat Asscher-cut Krupp Diamond, the 69.42 carat pear shaped Taylor-Burton Diamond, and the Taj Mahal heart shaped yellow diamond necklace.
While it has been highly publicized that Taylor has collected some of the most exquisite one of a kind pieces from the likes of Cartier, Schlumberger, Tiffany and Van Cleef, unbeknownst to many she was also a regular client of ours at Lauren B Jewelry in New York City. A chance encounter 25 years ago with her boyfriend at the time, George Hamilton, in Manhattan’s Diamond District eventually blossomed into Taylor’s special relationship with us. Whether it was private appointments during her frequent stays in New York with owner Bracha Behar (shown here with Taylor at the Plaza Athene Hotel), or special visits by Lauren B Jewelry namesake, Lauren Behar, to her Bel Air estate, Taylor has always exhibited a passionate appetite for our fine diamond jewelry creations.
After recounting each of these jeweler’s personal experiences with Elizabeth Taylor, it is evident that they hold her in a high regard with the utmost admiration and respect for her taste in jewelry. It becomes clear that Taylor was not just a casual buyer of jewelry, but a trendsetter who was never afraid to take any chances. What Bracha remembers most about Taylor’s encounter’s with her was that “She loved to be bold and daring with her jewelry, however she always made it seem so classic and elegant. Elizabeth bought jewelry for all occasions- daywear, evening galas and even gifts for her closest friends”. Asked to describe a standout piece that Taylor purchased from Lauren B Jewelry, Bracha is quickly drawn to a five row choker necklace of Akoya pearls, centered with a large section of rubies and brilliant diamonds, which Taylor wore as host of the first amfAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research) fundraising event.
Asked to describe her visit to Taylor’s home, Lauren, being the jewelry aficionado that she is, recalls this moment with sheer amazement and joy. She was astounded by the vast collection of exquisite jewelry that filled an entire section of a full size walk in closet in Taylor’s bedroom area. Lauren sat patiently beside Taylor as she sat on her bed and tried on various multi-colored pink and blue sapphire studded bangle bracelets, long diamond encrusted swinging drop earrings, and a three row interlocking two-toned gold necklace filled with brown and white diamonds; just a few of the pieces that she purchased on that occasion. However, the highlight of her trip to Bel Air, was having Elizabeth try on the aforementioned 33.19 carat Asscher cut Krupp diamond, which was a gift from the late Richard Burton.
Lauren states that “It really was a memorable experience just to be next to her and admire her selections, as she tried on piece after piece from our Lauren B Jewelry line, and also knowing that I was in the presence of her prized collection of jewels” Asked to describe seeing the Krupp diamond on Taylor’s finger, Lauren goes on to say “The size, beauty, and overall sparkle of the diamond (33.19 carat) is something that will be embedded in my mind forever. Seeing photographs of it in magazines or on the internet really does not do it any justice”.
To this day, Elizabeth Taylor remains an icon across world and we hope that it remains this way as she overcomes struggles with her health. Her name alone is synonymous with class and supreme elegance, which is a direct reflection upon her discerning taste for the finest jewelry. Once again, we wish Elizabeth Taylor a happy birthday and a speedy recovery.
About Lauren B Jewelry
Lauren B Jewelry is a family owned and operated jeweler specializing in finely crafted diamond and colored gemstone fine fashion jewelry. They also specialize in engagement rings, wedding bands, and loose diamonds. You can visit their store at 580 Fifth Avenue in New York City’s world famous Diamond District, or you can shop online at www.laurenbjewelry.com.