< Historic Diamonds / Auctions
Liz Taylor’s Birthday Bulgari and Sinatra’s Engagement Ring to Wow at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels
Christie’s December sale unites extraordinary gems from Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra with museum-worthy Kashmir sapphires, historic Art Deco masterpieces, and rare colored diamonds—alongside an equally unmissable lineup in Hong Kong
Published: November 19, 2025
Written by: Grant Mobley
Every auction season has its defining moment, and for Christie’s Magnificent Jewels December sale in New York, that moment arrives with two jewels whose provenance sits at the very heart of Hollywood legend. The sale opens with pieces once owned by Elizabeth Taylor and Frank and Barbara Sinatra that embody glamour, romance, and the enduring power of storytelling through natural diamonds.
Meet the Expert
- Grant Mobley is the Jewelry & Watch Editor of Only Natural Diamonds.
- He is a GIA Diamonds Graduate.
- He has over 17 years of jewelry industry experience, starting with growing up in his family’s retail jewelry stores.
Elizabeth Taylor’s 30th Birthday Gift From Eddie Fisher Comes to Auction
The first is a Bulgari fancy yellow diamond ring that Eddie Fisher gifted to Elizabeth Taylor on her 30th birthday. Centered by a 2.62-carat fancy vivid yellow marquise-cut diamond (estimate: $120,000–$180,000), the ring reflects Taylor’s lifelong passion for natural diamonds and her celebrated relationship with Bulgari. It offers collectors a rare opportunity to own a jewel directly tied to one of the most iconic jewelry lovers of the 20th century.
The Engagement Ring of Barbara and Frank Sinatra Comes Under the Hammer
The second jewel carries the same emotional weight but from a different Hollywood chapter: an important 20.60-carat emerald-cut diamond three-stone ring that served as Frank and Barbara Sinatra‘s engagement ring (estimate: $800,000–$1.2 million). Sinatra rarely let personal pieces leave the family, and this ring represents both the highest level of craftsmanship and the timeless romance that defined one of America’s most beloved couples.
Inside Christie’s Magnificent Jewels: Rockefeller Center’s Blockbuster December Sale
The December 10 Magnificent Jewels sale at Rockefeller Center builds on those star-powered jewels to create a lineup rich with history, style, and rarity. The centerpiece of the New York auction is the Rockefeller Kashmir, a Cartier Art Deco sugarloaf cabochon sapphire weighing 17.66 carats (estimate: $1.5 million–$2.5 million). With links to Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd and, most recently, Sandra Ferry Rockefeller, the gem brings together impeccable provenance and the velvet-blue saturation that defines the world’s most celebrated Kashmir sapphires.
Christie’s also presents a dazzling selection from Elaine Wynn, whose influence in the worlds of art and philanthropy reflects her impeccable eye for exceptional jewels. Her collection includes a bold 27.19-carat emerald-cut diamond ring (estimate: $1.2 million–$1.8 million) and a striking Bulgari emerald, cultured pearl, and diamond necklace (estimate: $120,000–$180,000).
Color remains a defining theme throughout the sale, from a pair of no-heat Kashmir sapphire earrings set with stones of 12.61 and 11.92 carats (estimate: $1.5 million–$2 million) to a luminous Tiffany & Co. Paraiba tourmaline and diamond necklace (estimate: $400,000–$600,000) from the Collection of Max and Cecile Draime.
The sale also features elegant jewels from the collection of Maureen Dwyer Smith, including an emerald-and-diamond pendant necklace (estimate: $120,000–$180,000) and a 23.47-carat fancy yellow diamond ring (estimate: $200,000–$300,000). Additional noteworthy properties include an important private collection of antique jewelry, signed pieces from Bulgari and David Webb from the Joan Hartley Hotchkis collection, and a Van Cleef & Arpels “À Cheval” 11-row diamond bracelet once owned by Brooke Astor (estimate: $150,000–$250,000).
JAR Takes Center Stage at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels
Nine JAR jewels make their first public auction appearance this season. These include dramatic ruby-and-diamond earrings (estimate: $400,000–$600,000) and a whimsical pair of garnet “Orange Peel” brooches (estimate: $100,000–$150,000). Each piece represents a rare opportunity to collect jewelry by one of the most influential artists of our time.
An Online Sale with a Century of Style
Running from December 2–12, Christie’s online sale Splendor & Style: Jewelry from the Collection of a Distinguished Lady presents a curated selection spanning more than a century of design, featuring pieces by Bulgari, Buccellati, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Van Cleef & Arpels, Verdura, and more. The collection reflects a life spent traveling and collecting with an eye toward bold style and exceptional craftsmanship.
Claibourne Poindexter, Senior Specialist, Christie’s Americas exclusively told Only Natural Diamodns, “From exceptional diamonds with storied provenance—including jewels once owned by Elizabeth Taylor and Barbara and Frank Sinatra, such as an emerald-cut diamond of 20.60 carats—to rare colored stones and important signed pieces, Christie’s December New York jewelry sales showcase the extraordinary breadth of our global offerings.
“Highlights include a fancy deep brown-orange emerald-cut diamond ring of 63.93 carats and Harry Winston diamond cluster earrings set with pear brilliant-cut diamonds of 10.27 and 10.07 carats. A standout is Elaine: The Collection of Elaine Wynn, which reflects her impeccable taste for white diamonds and features an emerald-cut diamond ring of 27.19 carats, a pair of diamond pendant earrings, and a Graff diamond and emerald ‘Superstar’ watch. We are proud to welcome visitors to Christie’s this December for Luxury Week.”
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Hong Kong: A November Sale Too Important to Miss
While New York anchors the December season, Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Hong Kong sale on November 25 is among the most significant jewelry auctions of the year. Leading the sale is The Royal Blue, a necklace set with 16 no-heat Kashmir sapphires totaling 104.61 carats and estimated at $13–19 million.
Other highlights from Christie’s Magnificent Jewels include:
- A rare, iconic Cartier Tutti Frutti necklace
- An 88.14 carat total, diamond rivière necklace (estimate $1.9–3.2 million)
- A 30.87-carat heart-shaped diamond pendant/ring (estimate $2–3.2 million)
- A 12.86-carat natural fancy orangy-pink loose diamond (estimate $2–3.2 million)
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels in New York and Hong Kong Offer a Season of Jewels
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels in New York and Hong Kong deliver everything collectors seek at the highest level: world-class provenance, masterful craftsmanship, and jewels that rarely surface on the market. From Elizabeth Taylor’s ring to Frank Sinatra’s engagement diamond, from the Rockefeller Kashmir to the Royal Blue necklace in Hong Kong, this season offers not only the chance to acquire extraordinary jewels but also to own pieces of history.
