A Van Cleef & Arpels 8-carat ruby and diamond ring was a gift to Taylor for Christmas 1968 from her husband at the time, the late Richard Burton. The ring is estimated to realize $1 million - $1.5 million at the first of two days of Christie’s auctions, Dec. 13.

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New York--On Dec. 13, Christie’s New York will present 80 of the late Elizabeth Taylor’s most iconic jewels in a special evening sale, to be followed by the auction of 189 additional jewels in two day-sale sessions on Dec. 14.

Items from Bulgari, Boucheron, Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels, among other brands, will be offered at the auctions.

The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, a 33-carat, D color, VS1 clarity, potentially internally flawless stone, was a gift to the actress from Burton and is the perceived top lot of the auction, estimated to realize $2.5 million - $3.5 million at auction Dec. 13.

“Elizabeth Taylor’s passion for jewelry was well-known, but it is her depth of knowledge about fine jewelry that truly impresses,” François Curiel, international jewelry director and president of Christie’s Asia, said. “She collected the best pieces from the best periods, and as a result her collection boasts exquisite examples from the most celebrated jewelry designers.”

The auctions will include Taylor’s infamous diamonds, gemstones, historic jewels and one-of-a-kind creations, as well as a collection of personal mementos and gifts. The total selection of 269 pieces is estimated to realize more than $30 million.

The Taj Mahal Diamond, circa 1627 - 1628, on a gold and ruby chain by Cartier, was a 40th birthday gift to Taylor from Richard Burton. The necklace is estimated to realize $300,000 - $500,000 at auction Dec. 13. 

“This is, without a doubt, the greatest private collection of jewelry ever assembled in one place,” Marc Porter, chairman and president of Christie’s Americas, said.

Select highlights from the Taylor collection of jewels will begin a three-month global tour on Sept. 15. In Dec., the tour will culminate with a 10-day exhibition of the complete collection at Christie’s New York before the sales commence.

The Burton wedding bands are estimated to realize $6,000 - $8,000 and will be auctioned Dec. 14.

A portion of the proceeds generated by exhibition admissions, events and publications related to the sales will be donated to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), which was founded in 1991 and provides funding to AIDS service organizations globally.