Bulgari Unveils Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewels

Julianne Moore wearing the Elizabeth Taylor emerald and diamond
necklace. Photo credit: Getty Images

Italian luxury jewelry house, Bulgari, officially opened its Rodeo Drive boutique Tuesday in true Hollywood fashion with an intimate viewing of some of its greatest creations owned by Elizabeth Taylor. It included the famed mirror Taylor used on the set of the movie, Cleopatra, a sapphire and diamond sautoir and a set of emerald and diamond jewelry.

Items on display at the Bulgari Rodeo Drive boutique. Photo credit: Getty Images

The highlight of the evening, according to reports, was when actress Julianne Moore, a longtime ambassador for Bulgari, strolled into the event wearing the emerald and diamond necklace from the suite, which features the 83.5-carat emerald pendant. It was the first time anyone other than Taylor had worn the necklace. Other Hollywood stars who attended the event included Kirsten Dunst, Drew Barrymore, Naomi Watts, and Clotilde Courau.

Drew Barrymore and the Cleopatra mirror. Photo credit: Getty Images

For those who did not receive an invitation, fear not, as the eight-piece exhibition—all purchased by Bulgari at the auction of Taylor’s jewelry at Christie’s New York in December—will be on display at the store until March 10.

View more pictures from the party on the Bulgari Facebook page by following this link.

Read more about the jewelry on display by following this link.

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Elizabeth Taylor’s Bulgari Jewelry Exhibit on Rodeo Drive

Elizabeth Taylor sapphire and diamond sautoir will be among the Bulgari jewels on display.

Elizabeth Taylor fans will have another opportunity to view some of the most important jewels from her legendary collection.

The Beverly Hills Bulgari boutique on Rodeo Drive will showcase an eight-piece exhibit of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels on Tuesday, according to published reports. The jewels are on display as a preview to the Academy Awards, which will be held Sunday.

Emerald and diamond suite.

The Italian luxury jewelry house purchased its own pieces during the record-breaking auction of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels held at Christie’s New York in December 2011. Among the items on display are an emerald and diamond necklace that it bought for $6.1 million, setting records for an emerald jewel and emerald per carat; and an 8.26-carat emerald and diamond pendant brooch that Bulgari purchased for $6.5 million (both pictured above as part of the emerald and diamond suite). The brooch was Taylor's first piece of Bulgari jewelry, according to reports.

Another item is a sapphire and diamond sautoir that Bulgari bought at the auction for $5.9 million (top photo).

A special preview of the display will be held Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. till 1:30 p.m., according to reports.

Follow this link to view more of Taylor's jewels from the Christie's New York auction.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Web site.

Stephen Webster to Open Boutique on Rodeo Drive

Stephen Webster with Christina Aguilera, who appears in the brand's advertising campaign.

British jewelry designer Stephen Webster said he will launch a new boutique to showcase his glam-rock creations on Rodeo Drive in Beverley Hills, according to media reports.

The ground floor of the two-story space, scheduled for a November opening, will carry Webster’s full fine of silver men's and women's jewelry collections, according to media reports. The second floor will house a lounge space with innovative and constantly changing exhibitions and creative collaborations.

Webster, who defines his style as “glamor with a rock and roll edge,” reportedly said this new project will be identical to his London and European boutiques.