DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND

 THE ELIZABETH TAYLOR DIAMOND

A Rectangular-Cut Diamond Ring of 33.19 carats D color, Potentially Internally Flawless, Type IIa

Estimate: $2,500,000 – 3,500,000

 Elizabeth Taylor’s dazzling jewelry collection, including the famous 33 carat diamond engagement ring given to her by Richard Burton will be auctioned off in December by Christie's. Just in time for holiday gift-giving (ha-ha) Christie's will be auctioning off Taylor's legendary jewelry collection as well as fashion accessories and haute couture ensembles by the likes of Chanel, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Valentino.  There's also an online auction beginning December 3rd with a vast selection of moderately priced jewelry, fashion accessories and jewelry (I'll be looking/shopping there!). Here's a sneak peak at some of the spectacular items up for auction-

 A SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND SAUTOIR,

BY BVLGARI

Circa 1971

Estimate: $600,000 – 800,000 

 A TURQUOISE AND GOLD MIRROR,

BY BVLGARI

1962

Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000 

 THE BURTON WEDDING BANDS

Given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton upon their marriages in 1964 and 1975

Estimate: $6,000 – 8,000 

A DIAMOND AND MULTI-GEM PENDANT, 

BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

1971

Estimate: $3,000 – 5,000 

 TWO SATELLITE SUITCASES, A NICE BEAUTY CASE AND A DEAUVILLEBEAUTY BAG

Louis Vuitton, 20th Century

Estimate: $2,500 - 3,500 

 AN EMANUEL UNGARO RED, PINK, BROWN AND YELLOW STRIPED WOOL COAT

LABELED 'EMANUEL UNGARO COUTURE PARIS/661.9.67' AND 'MADE IN FRANCE EXCLUSIVELY FOR BONWIT TELLER', 1967

Estimate: $700 - 900 

 CLEOPATRA, 1963

An Irene Sharraf caftan, the nude chiffon ground appliqué with palmyra and lotus flowers in coffee and cream silks and beadwork, unlabeled, made for Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra

Estimate: $6,000 - 8,000 

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, 1958

A U.S. one-sheet cinema poster, signed and inscribed in black ink To Richard -- the hottest cat on any roof! Happy Birthday - ...5/18/85

Estimate: $2000 - 3,000 

GUCCI COLLECTOR

Jacqueline Onassis, a vision in her iconic sunglasses and Gucci handbag, is dressed to perfection in this photo taken in the late 1960's.  The Gucci bag hanging from her shoulder would later become known as the Jackie-O and is still one of the most popular bags in the Gucci line today.  I was given a vintage Jackie-O suede bag from the mid 1970's by my aunt several years ago.  She hadn't used it for years and thought I would enjoy the bag. Yes, I would! It arrived in its original Gucci logo box and sleeper bag, in triple mint condition. I was ecstatic with this lovely gift but also slightly terrified too.  You see, I am very hard on my handbags.  As much as I try to keep them light and organized, my bags always seem to end up with an array of work and kid related items. Juice boxes, hand sanitizer and ball point pens wreck havoc on my pretty bags and I didn't want my new-old Jackie-O to look like an old Bloomie's shopping bag. So I keep my Jackie-O at the top of my closet, resting in its pretty logo box where it waits to come out for the occasional lunch or dinner, always looking fabulous and receiving a flurry of compliments.

I was recently visiting the Chrisitie's website and noticed a new service by the auction house called  Gucci Collector. It's the very first Gucci-certified online destination for authenticating and appraising vintage Gucci products. If you own a vintage Gucci bag (vintage is considered 20 years or more), simply download photos of your bag on the site and within 2-4 weeks, Christie' will send you an appraisal at no charge. Owners will also have the opportunity to sell their items to Gucci, or in a future Christie's auction, if desired. This sounds like such a civilized way to sell your bag, and much safer than rolling the dice on Ebay.

I'm considering sending some photo's of my bag to Gucci Collector.  Don't worry, I have no intention on selling my Jackie-O, but wouldn't it be fun to know what it's worth? Do you own anything you absolutely love that's vintage?