The Krupp / Elizabeth Taylor Diamond

By Megan Reynolds, AJP (GIA)

Elizabeth Taylor was once quoted as saying that, “big girls need big diamonds”. Well, if that was the case, then she was a very big girl indeed since she had several diamonds that were not just big, they were enormous. Such is the case with the star of this entry. The Krupp diamond is emerald in shape, and possessing a large culet, which points to the stone being cut before the 1920’s when such facets were being phased out. This stunning diamond weighs in at 33.19 carats, is D in color, and Internally Flawless. Set in platinum, it has always been one of Miss Taylor’s most favorite pieces.

 The stone was named for previous owner, actress Vera Krupp, about whom Elizabeth was said to have remarked, “the Krupp diamond was owned by Vera Krupp of the famous German munitions family, which helped to knock off millions of Jews. When it came up for auction in the late 1960’s, I thought how nice it would be if a nice Jewish girl like me were to own it.” And own it she did, the ring was purchased for her by then husband, Richard Burton for the sum of $305,000, which was the highest amount ever paid for a diamond ring at auction.



Photo : Christie's Images LTD



Jeweler Ward Landrigan of Sotheby’s was charged with the task of delivering the ring to Elizabeth Taylor and staying with her and Burton for a few days until the insurance policy could be updated. He recalls having lunch with them one day during his stay when they noticed a bus full of young girls watching them. “Elizabeth called the manager in and said, ‘If you give the girls something to write on and send them in two at a time, I’ll autograph something for them,’ ”he says. “There must have been 50 of them and she let every one of them try on the ring, which of course gave me a heart attack, and it was amazing.” Amazing indeed. Can you imagine any celebrity today pulling a stunt like that? If you can, please tell me where I can find Kim Kardashian so that she can let me try on her monster ring!

Elizabeth loved the Krupp, so much so that it seemed to become an extension of her very being. She rarely took it off; even to star in her movies. The bauble was so synonymous with her persona that it was even animated onto her character when she had a cameo for the animated series The Simpsons. She said of the piece, “my ring gives me the strangest feeling for beauty”. “With its sparks of red and white and blue and purple, and on and on. Really, it sort of hums with its own beatific life.” The Krupp diamond will be auctioned off in December along with other iconic pieces from her collection. It’s estimated to sell for between 2.5 and 3.5 million dollars. The auction also signifies the changing of this important gem’s name. In honor of the significant role that the Krupp played in Elizabeth Taylor’s life, and her role in the history of the diamond itself, the stone has been renamed The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond by Christie’s and the trustees of her estate. A fitting tribute to the Queen of Diamonds.