Taylor-Burton Diamond
Encyclopedia
The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a diamond
made famous when purchased by actor Richard Burton
for his wife Dame Elizabeth Taylor
in 1969, receiving worldwide publicity for its size and value.
in South Africa
, weighing 241 carats (48.2 g). It was cut by Harry Winston
to 69.42 carats (13.9 g) in the shape of a pear.
, for a then record $1,050,000. It is regarded as the world's first million-dollar diamond—although other stones may have previously changed hands privately for seven figures or more, this was the first one to do so at a public auction.
The sale of the diamond carried with it naming rights , and it was named "The Cartier Diamond". The Cartier company placed the diamond into a diamond necklace.
Richard Burton, whose auction agent had dropped out of the bidding when the price broached the $1 million threshold, subsequently purchased the diamond for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, soon after the auction. Cartier parted with the diamond for a small premium (Burton is believed to have paid $1.1 million for the diamond) due to the great publicity that the sale generated, Burton and Taylor then being top movie stars and arguably the most famous couple in the world. Taylor who wore it publicly on a necklace for the first time at Princess Grace of Monaco's 40th birthday celebration held in Monaco. At this time, it was known as the "Cartier-Burton Diamond", and it was featured on the Here's Lucy
episode "Lucy Meets the Burtons". The episode, which co-starred Taylor and Burton along with series headliner Lucille Ball
, was aired on September 14, 1970 and inaugurated the third season of Here's Lucy.
Burton had earlier had bought Taylor the 33-carat Krupp Diamond
in 1968. It cost $305,000.
After their divorce, Taylor auctioned the diamond in 1978 for $5,000,000, which was used to build a hospital in Botswana
. It was bought by Henry Lambert, a New York-based jeweler.
Its current owner is Robert Mouawad, who had the diamond recut to 68 carats (13.6 g).
Diamond (gemstone)
A diamond is one of the best-known and most sought-after gemstones...
made famous when purchased by actor Richard Burton
Richard Burton
Richard Burton, CBE was a Welsh actor. He was nominated seven times for an Academy Award, six of which were for Best Actor in a Leading Role , and was a recipient of BAFTA, Golden Globe and Tony Awards for Best Actor. Although never trained as an actor, Burton was, at one time, the highest-paid...
for his wife Dame Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
in 1969, receiving worldwide publicity for its size and value.
Description
The original rough diamond was found in 1966 in the Premier MinePremier Mine
The Premier Mine is an underground diamond mine owned by Petra Diamonds. It is situated in the town of Cullinan, 40 kilometres east of Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Established in 1902, it was renamed the Cullinan Diamond Mine in November 2003 in celebration of its centenary...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, weighing 241 carats (48.2 g). It was cut by Harry Winston
Harry Winston
Harry Winston was an American jeweler. He donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958 after owning it for a decade, and traded the Portuguese Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1963.-History:...
to 69.42 carats (13.9 g) in the shape of a pear.
History
The diamond was originally owned by Harriet Annenberg Ames. It was subsequently purchased at auction by Robert Kenmore, owner of the luxury brand CartierCartier SA
Cartier S.A., commonly known as Cartier , is a French luxury jeweler and watch manufacturer. The corporation carries the name of the Cartier family of jewellers whose control ended in 1964 and who were known for numerous pieces including the "Bestiary" , the diamond necklace created for Bhupinder...
, for a then record $1,050,000. It is regarded as the world's first million-dollar diamond—although other stones may have previously changed hands privately for seven figures or more, this was the first one to do so at a public auction.
The sale of the diamond carried with it naming rights , and it was named "The Cartier Diamond". The Cartier company placed the diamond into a diamond necklace.
Richard Burton, whose auction agent had dropped out of the bidding when the price broached the $1 million threshold, subsequently purchased the diamond for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, soon after the auction. Cartier parted with the diamond for a small premium (Burton is believed to have paid $1.1 million for the diamond) due to the great publicity that the sale generated, Burton and Taylor then being top movie stars and arguably the most famous couple in the world. Taylor who wore it publicly on a necklace for the first time at Princess Grace of Monaco's 40th birthday celebration held in Monaco. At this time, it was known as the "Cartier-Burton Diamond", and it was featured on the Here's Lucy
Here's Lucy
Here's Lucy is Lucille Ball's third network television sitcom. It ran on CBS from 1968 to 1974.-Background:Though The Lucy Show was still hugely popular during the previous season, finishing in the top five of the Nielsen Ratings , Ball opted to end that series at the end of that season and create...
episode "Lucy Meets the Burtons". The episode, which co-starred Taylor and Burton along with series headliner Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
, was aired on September 14, 1970 and inaugurated the third season of Here's Lucy.
Burton had earlier had bought Taylor the 33-carat Krupp Diamond
Krupp Diamond
The Krupp Diamond is a stone, last sold at Sotheby's on May 16, 1968, for $305,000, to Welsh actor Richard Burton. Burton gave the stone to English-American actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor, his wife at that time.-Description:...
in 1968. It cost $305,000.
After their divorce, Taylor auctioned the diamond in 1978 for $5,000,000, which was used to build a hospital in Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. It was bought by Henry Lambert, a New York-based jeweler.
Its current owner is Robert Mouawad, who had the diamond recut to 68 carats (13.6 g).