During her stay in Rome, Kim Kardashian had the opportunity to touch Hollywood history: the celebrity tried on the iconic Bulgari emerald necklace that once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor's personal collection. According to People, the jewelry is valued at over $6 million, and its history is inextricably linked to one of the most talked-about romances in cinema history. Kim's mother, Kris Jenner, watched as the piece was retrieved from Bulgari's archives. Kardashian herself called the encounter with the legendary necklace one of her best birthday gifts and thanked her stylist, Law Roach, who helped organize the event.
A 1962 Jewelry Masterpiece
The necklace was crafted by Bulgari artisans in 1962 and is a platinum composition adorned with 16 rectangular and square-cut emeralds, each framed by diamonds. The design is complemented by clover-shaped decorative elements, and the center of the necklace features a setting for a pendant with a large 23.46-carat emerald. Due to its combination of materials, craftsmanship, and historical value, the piece is considered one of the most significant works of jewelry art of the second half of the 20th century.
Richard Burton's Wedding Gift
In 1964, the necklace became a wedding gift presented to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton. Their love story began during the filming of Cleopatra in Rome and quickly became a major topic in the celebrity gossip columns of the time. While staying in Italy, the actress regularly visited the Rome Bulgari boutique, where, according to eyewitnesses, she spent hours admiring the jewels. Over time, Taylor's name became inseparable from the history of the jewelry house, and her personal collection turned into a part of Hollywood's cultural heritage.
Christie's Auction and Record Price
Following Elizabeth Taylor's death in 2011, her jewels were put up for auction at Christie's in New York. The Bulgari emerald necklace was purchased for $6,130,500—an amount more than four times the upper limit of the lot's pre-sale estimate. This result confirmed not only the material but also the cultural significance of the piece, which has become a symbol of Hollywood glamour.
Kardashian's Personal Connection to Taylor
For Kim Kardashian, this jewelry also holds deep personal significance. In her own words, shortly before Elizabeth Taylor's death, they spoke on the phone and discussed this exact necklace. After the actress passed away, Kim was invited to her home, where she was shown the jewelry safe before the items were removed. These memories, according to Kardashian, gave the moment of trying on the necklace a special emotional coloring and turned it into something much more than just a showcase of expensive jewelry.
A Symbol, Not Just a Jewel
The necklace's special significance stems from its connection to Elizabeth Taylor, who not only wore Bulgari jewelry but also helped make them symbols of an entire era. That is why the necklace is valuable not only for the materials used—platinum, emeralds, and diamonds—but also for the personal history behind it. Kim Kardashian trying on this piece in Rome became further evidence that some works of jewelry art transcend commercial objects and turn into living history passed down from generation to generation.
