Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Taylor has presumably had love affairs with many things over the course of her illustrious life. Her acting career might be one, and her seven husbands might be others. But perhaps her one constant love affair is the lifelong one she's had with baubles, bangles and beads. In this dazzling book, Taylor shows off her collection, complementing the gorgeous color photographs with snippets about the provenance of each piece. "I mean, how many young women get a set of rubies just for doing something wholesome like swimming laps? Or win a diamond ring at Ping-Pong with their husband...? Well, I did, and for all of these memories and the people in my life I feel blessed," Taylor writes. She then launches into descriptions of the "glorious" ruby and diamond Cartier necklace from Mike Todd, the 33.19-carat Krupp diamond from Richard Burton ("When it came up for auction in the late 1960s, I thought how perfect it would be if a nice Jewish girl like me were to own it") and a crystal and diamond lily of the valley brooch from Rex Harrison ("You're the stingiest man alive," Taylor told Harrison, "...your giving me this pin would be doubly important because it would signify a personal triumph over your naturally stingy nature"). The photographs, many never before published, are a mix of catalogue-type photos and shots of Taylor wearing the items, creating not only a tremendous feast for the eyes but an entertaining waltz through a Hollywood icon's decadent life.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Known for her beauty, her seven marriages, and her stunning jewelry collection, screen star Elizabeth Taylor treats us to a first look at her jewelry, in gorgeous actual-size photos and in personal photos-some never before seen publicly-of herself wearing them. Taylor reminisces about the occasions when these pieces were given to her by the men in her life. The two greatest loves of Taylor's life, movie producer Mike Todd and actor Richard Burton, gave her some of the most famous jewels: Todd presented a stunning Belle Epoque diamond necklace, diamond girandole earrings, and a diamond tiara, while Burton made world headlines when he gave Taylor the famous 33-carat Krupp Diamond ring. Every piece in Taylor's collection has sentimental meaning, some as poignant as the gold charm bracelet celebrating the birth of her children. This stunning book is more than a catalog of Taylor's jewelry; it serves as a very personal autobiography that will delight both Taylor's fans and lovers of fine jewelry. Recommended for all public and academic libraries where there is interest.
Therese Duzinkiewicz Baker, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (November 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743254384
• ISBN-13: 978-0743254380
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #660,609 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Shared Treasure by a most Generous Custodian, October 4, 2002

By	Trent D. Pendley "President, Indiana Jewish H... (Furnessville, Chesterton, IN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry (Hardcover)

A wonderful storybook about some enchanting jewels cared for by one of our finest leading Ladies. This is a book I've long dreamt to see, even before the press releases about "My Love Affair with Jewelry" commenced to appear last year. Seeing the real gems would be nearly impossible even though Elizabeth allows most anyone to try on her mobile museum acquisitions.

This book is a must for anyone who has an affection for our most sacred symbols of love and affection.

As a fine Jeweler, I love to pass on to my interested clients the rich folklore and captivating legends behind Elizabeth Taylor's jewels. I suppose there are enough stories for some of Dame Taylor's baubles to fill a historical text but this intoxicating tome is indeed a sharing tour of her incredible collection. You will certainly turn each page slowly, relishing the beauty, the dialogue, and certainly feeling very fulfilled when reaching the end many pages away.

As an added touch to this very historical, personal and jewelry box of a book Elizabeth kindly invites her readers to contribute to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, her most noble cause as our grandest leading Lady.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite jewels for an Exceptional Lady, November 22, 2002

By	Eric McCalla "reviewboy" (Denver, COLORADO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry (Hardcover)

Elizabeth Taylor's MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH JEWELRY is one of the most sumptuous and beautifully-made books on the subject of fine jewelry. This is not only a great gift idea for the Elizabeth Taylor fan or for jewelry lovers, it is also a wonderful book to be pored over time and time again.

The quality of the photos is top-notch, many are full-page and in gloriously rich color. The book itself is quite large, so many photos of the individual pieces are enlarged to show the superb craftmanship and detail from the world's premier jewelers: Harry Winston, Bulgari, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Schlumberger (of Tiffany fame), and on and on.

The stories behind some of these world-famous gems are quite charming and have been told in countless biographies of Dame Elizabeth. My favorite has to be the story of the Cartier-Burton diamond, at the time of its purchase in 1968, the highest price paid at auction for a diamond. The flawless 69.42 carat pear-shaped diamond was even featured in the Guiness Book of Records for many years. The pictures featuring La Liz wearing it are breathtaking. There is another story that Liz and Richard Burton were visiting Lucille Ball on the set of The Lucy Show, as Liz was going to guest-star in an episode. Of course, the Cartier diamond was the talk of the world, so Lucy asked if she could try it on. Liz Taylor has always been more than glad to let friends try on her jewelry, so she obliged Lucy. Well, Lucy could not get it off and she literally panicked. They tried in vain to get the ring off and finally succeeded, with much giggling from everyone. It is the spirit with which Liz Taylor enjoys her jewelry that I find so endearing and fun.

Many of the pieces in her collection are of historical interest, like the Shah Jehan Diamond and the La Peregrina pearl. Liz even wore La Peregrina in a movie starring her husband Richard Burton. There are several movie stills showing her wearing it while in period costume.

This is a book to be enjoyed for many years!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Liz's Jewels, February 25, 2003

By	"waterstn" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry (Hardcover)

This is an absolutely breaktaking book. It has 280 illustrations, 175 of them in color, and many of them from Elizabeth Taylor's personal collection. I cannot stress how vivid and gloriously they capture the beauty of Ms. Taylor and her jewelry. The wonderful stories that go along with many of the pieces portray Elizabeth as a witty, warm ... and yes, cunning woman. I've always been a huge fan of hers, but this book has made me even more so.
Although Ms. Taylor own magnificent pieces from some of the most famous jewelers of all time ... Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Jean Schlumberger (Tiffany & Co.) ... many of my favorite's were her historical pieces. Like the Duchess of Windsor's diamond brooch, the Taj Mahal diamond, La Peregrina, and a beautiful bracelet from the collection of King Farouk.
The book also has a wonderful index that describes almost every piece in the book, along with who bought it and where. Some of you may be surprised to find that although Richard Burton and Mike Todd sure knew how to spoil a girl, Ms. Taylor did buy a lot of her jewelry herself. I also read from one of the following reviews that Ms. Taylor did not say who or why she sold the 69.42 carat Taylor-Burton diamond. I can't tell you why she sold it, but the index says she sold it in 1978 to a jeweler named Lambert who in turn sold it to Mr. Robert Mouawad in December of 1979.
So, even if you don't particulary care for Elizabeth Taylor and her legendary love affair with jewels, this book leaves little or no doubt that Ms. Taylor is definitely one of the most beautiful women of all time and her jewels are some of the most fabulous.