AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding EarringsThese earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.
EditorsJul 21, 2011
Tracking down the Taylor-Burton
The March death of screen stunner, fervent AIDS activist and jewelry collector Elizabeth Taylor turned my thoughts to one of the most astonishing stones to pass through this star’s hands--the 69.42-carat, pear-shaped Taylor-Burton diamond. Before I even started working on...
The March death of screen stunner, fervent AIDS activist and jewelry collector Elizabeth Taylor turned my thoughts to one of the most astonishing stones to pass through this star’s hands--the 69.42-carat, pear-shaped Taylor-Burton diamond.
Before I even started working on this blog, I had an idea that this diamond no longer was in Taylor’s collection and thus wouldn’t be part of the December auction of her pieces, which is bound to include some incredible items given the Oscar winner’s well-documented love affair with jewelry.
Still, I was curious what happened to this headline-making stone and, while I didn’t get a definitive answer, the research was well worth it. The who’s who of who had their hands on this diamond reads like the guest list at a very posh, and very exclusive, industry party.
According to Famous Diamonds by Ian Balfour--one of the best books I inherited when I started at National Jeweler about four years ago--the stone that eventually came to be known as the Taylor-Burton diamond emerged from the Premier Mine in 1966. The famous diamantaire Harry Winston himself had it cleaved from 240.80-carat piece of rough.
Harriet Annenberg Ames, sister of media mogul Walter Annenberg, bought it from Winston. (Annenberg seemingly spent his life surrounded by jewelry-loving women who weren’t afraid of a little self purchase. His wife, Leonore “Lee” Annenberg, bought herself a 32.01-carat D-flawless diamond ring on her 90th birthday in 2008. She died the following year at the age of 91, and Christie’s sold her stone, the “Annenberg Diamond” for an incredible $7.7 million.)
In 1967, Ames sent the pear-shaped stone to Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. in New York for auction. Cartier paid $1.05 million for the diamond at that auction and sold it to Burton for $1.1 million four days later, Balfour notes in his book. Taylor, in turn, sold the stone 11 years later, in 1978, two years after the end of her second marriage to Burton.
In Famous Diamonds, the Taylor-Burton trail ends in 1979, with New York jeweler Henry Lambert buying the diamond for about $3 million and selling it by the end of the year, with the diamond “last reported to be in Saudi Arabia.”
Further research, though, revealed that it was Robert Mouawad who scooped up the stone in 1979, with a number of sources indicating that he had the stone re-cut to 68 carats.
During his lifetime, the Lebanese diamond dealer has had his hands on many of the world’s most renowned diamonds, including the 69.68-carat pear-shaped Excelsior I, the 245.35-carat antique cushion-cut Jubilee and the Premier Rose, a 137.02-carat pear-shaped diamond.
Today, Mouawad no longer owns the Taylor-Burton, a spokesperson confirmed to National Jeweler. She said Mouawad sold the Taylor-Burton to a private collector, though the company declined to reveal when the stone was sold or give any specifics on the seller.
While I’m fairly certain this pear-shaped stunner won’t be making an appearance at the auction of Taylor’s jewelry slated for later this year, it’s likely to pop up again on the auction market at some point in time.
Famous diamonds always do.
More on Editors
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AITwo experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. DivisionKentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.
WatchesApr 11, 2025
Bulova Documentary Now on Amazon Prime“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.
Weekly QuizApr 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 10, 2025
Trump Presses Pause on Higher Tariffs for 90 DaysAn across-the-board tariff of 10 percent remains in place for all U.S. trading partners, except China.
MajorsApr 10, 2025
Brilliant Earth Taps Influencers, Their Moms for Mother’s Day CampaignBrigette Pheloung and Tania Sarin, and their mothers, star in the campaign wearing medallions they co-designed.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
MajorsApr 10, 2025
Pary LeVian, Matriarch of the LeVian Family, Dies at 96LeVian is remembered for her unwavering commitment to her family, community, and helping others.
Events & AwardsApr 10, 2025
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Debut This SummerThe retail show is open to the public and will run July 24-27.
MajorsApr 09, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Opens Flagship in BrazilThe new store in the upscale Iguatemi São Paulo mall is the storied brand’s first flagship in Brazil.
AuctionsApr 09, 2025
Bonhams to Offer Selection of Chaumet JewelsThe pieces span from the Art Deco period to the 1970s and will go up for auction at the Paris Jewels sale later this month.
MajorsApr 09, 2025
Pandora Names Tyla as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, who is set to perform at Coachella this month, also debuted a curated selection from the brand.
GradingApr 08, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick InGIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
WatchesApr 08, 2025
Here Are the New Rolex Watches for 2025The introductions include the Land-Dweller, Rolex’s first new model since 2012, as well as several new dials for its classic timepieces.
MajorsApr 08, 2025
Willis Cowlishaw, Zale Executive and Mentor to Many, Dies at 98Cowlishaw earned a degree in horology after serving in World War II, working at one of the first Zales stores in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Heading to Auction in Hong KongBonhams will offer the “Kat Florence Lumina” at its May 22 jewelry auction.
CrimeApr 07, 2025
Third Man Involved in $2.7M Smash-and-Grab Is SentencedIn March 2022, the men went into a jewelry store in Beverly Hills and smashed the display cases with sledgehammers and crowbars.
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
Sotheby’s ‘Area_51’ Watch Auction Totals $1.6MThe 51 unique watches from Sotheby’s three-day sale and immersive exhibition all found buyers, with the top lot selling for $229,955.
MajorsApr 07, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Expands to Australia Via New AcquisitionThe company has acquired Australian jewelry insurance provider Jewellers Loop.
Events & AwardsApr 07, 2025
Converge Taps Neuroscientist as Opening Keynote SpeakerBeau Lotto’s immersive presentation will be a blend of neuroscience, art, and entertainment.
AuctionsApr 04, 2025
25-Carat Burmese Sapphire Brooch Sells for $101KA pink topaz Belle Époque pendant-brooch and a Victorian Egyptian Revival choker were also highlights at a recent Anderson & Garland sale.
SourcingApr 04, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade to Hold Inaugural International Jade SummitThe event, which will co-locate with the Monterey Bay Jade Festival, will bring education sessions focused on jade to the United States.
CollectionsApr 04, 2025
Piece of the Week: Heather B. Moore’s ‘Lily of the Valley’ CharmThe charm is a celebration of springtime as April showers bring May flowers with the piece’s cluster of diamond raindrops.
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
