Not every woman in the world is as lucky as Elizabeth Taylor who was showered with gifts that were super bright and sparkly. One of the many glamourous gifts that Liz Taylor received was the La Peregina Pearl Necklace, given by Richard Burton. A Valentine's Day present from Burton in 1969 was the 50 carat La Peregrina Pearl that was once owned by Queen Mary I of England.La Peregrina is a 50 carat pear-shaped pearl found in the early 1500's by a slave in the Gulf of Panama. Philip II of Royal Spanish Court gave it to Mary Tudor (Mary I of England) as an engagement present. After Mary's death it was worn by several Spanish queen consorts until Napoleon made his brother king of Spain in 1808. Joseph Bonaparte took the pearl with him when he was forced to leave the country and thus it received its name: La Peregrina, or "The Pilgrim", or "The Wanderer". The pearl was sold off to the aristocratic Abercorn family who held onto it until they auctioned it in 1969 and Richard Burton bought it for Elizabeth Taylor in 1969. Cartier designed the diamond, ruby and pearl necklace setting that houses La Peregrina today.
The pearl necklace together with 260 plus pieces of jewellery that Elizabeth Taylor owned will be put up for auction by Christie's this December. All proceeds will be donated to the AIDS Foundation founded by Elizabeth Taylor.
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