Christie’s: Elizabeth Taylor $137-million auction makes history

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Christie’s is touting its two-day sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry as a world-record-breaking jewelry auction, totaling more than $137 million.

It was a jaw-dropper, with jewels that belonged to the screen legend going for millions more than their Christie’s estimate.

“It was the most valuable jewelry sale in auction history,” said a representative of the auction house who asked not to be named.

PHOTOS: The collection of Elizabeth Taylor

The jewels grabbing the top three prices included gifts from Richard Burton. The “Taj Mahal” diamond, which Burton gave her on her 40th birthday, sold for $8.8 million, as did a 33.19-carat diamond ring. “La Peregrina” -- a pearl, diamond and ruby necklace given to Taylor by Burton in 1969 -- was the top seller at $11.8 million.

Burton paid $37,000 for it.

Among the buyers at the auction was one Kim Kardashian, who apparently now owns a little chunk of Elizabeth Taylor’s mojo. Reality-TV star Kardashian says Taylor’s “energy” was captured in the jade bracelets that she purchased Tuesday in the evening auction.

Jade, like that in the Lorraine Schwartz bracelets that belonged to Taylor, “transfers energy,” she told Us Weekly. So Kardashian has bracelets with “her energy in them.”

And Christie’s, therefore, has a bank account with Kardashian’s $64,900 in it, the whopping price she reportedly paid for the jade and diamond bracelets.

As the Ministry reported Wednesday, 80 items from Taylor’s jewelry collection were auctioned Tuesday in New York for $115 million, with the remaining 189 items auctioned Wednesday. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

More from the late actress’ estate will go on sale later in the week, including some of her film scripts and costumes. In February, her collection of Impressionist and Modernist art will go on sale in London.

RELATED:

Michael Jackson’s hair auctioned off for $10,871

Elizabeth Taylor private tribute: Close friends, sweet words

Obituary: Actress’ achievements often overshadowed by her looks, real-life drama

-- Amy Hubbard+