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.

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.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Grandma loved it, Jun 19 2003

Appliance & Kitchen Fan "happy housewife" (USA) - See all my reviews

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

I didn't read this book. I bought it as a gift for my 87 year old grandmother. Someone had mentioned this book on another website and I came here to look it over.

I was impressed. The photographs I saw and the reviews were impressive. I knew she would love it. I bought it for her for Mother's Day.

She phoned me to tell me how much she LOVED it! I've never seen her go on and on about a book. I know if she didn't love the book she would have just said "Thank you sweetheart." But this was a different reaction. Her friends have seen the book on the table in the living room and tell her how much they love it. And how the photographs are superb.

I'm sure when I visit her I will spend hours looking at this book at her house. She told me that she spent hours and hours just sitting in the chair looking at all the great photos.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A sumptuous, gorgeous, superlative book, Oct 18 2002

Catherine S. Vodrey (East Liverpool, Ohio United States) - 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 a sumptuous affair. And perhaps affair is the best word to use in describing her feeling towards the jewelry which forms one of the most important private collections in the world--Taylor seems as intoxicated and bewitched by her jewelry as she ever was by true loves Mike Todd and Richard Burton (incidentally, the two husbands who gave her the most important pieces).

The book is an enormous treat. Sit down and feast your eyes on the rubies, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and more which form the core of Taylor's collection. There are some misses (including an atrocious--and probably atrociously expensive--monkey necklace given to her by close friend Michael Jackson), but for the most part, the pieces shown here are beautifully designed, handsomely set, and studded with magnificent gemstones. Witness the cherry-red ruby Burton gave her one Christmas, set in a 14K gold ring and surrounded with enormous diamonds. Take a look at the famed Peregrina pearl--the finest and largest pear-shaped pearl known, and once owned by Anne Boleyn. Drool over the many diamonds (the Krupp diamond, the Taylor-Burton diamond--gosh, how DOES she keep track?!??). There are necklaces, bracelets, parures (complete sets of jewelry, from necklace to bracelet to ring to earrings and beyond), rings, and even the odd tiara and bejeweled evening purse. This is pure, unadulterated FUN and all the more so because of the clear and gleeful delight Taylor takes in her jewelry. Though she occasionally slips in a pious "The pieces aren't mine--I'm merely the custodian," we can see that she delights in ownership.

"My Love Affair with Jewelry" is handsomely laid out and filled with first-hand accounts of the pieces, the occasions on which they were given (or bought, many times at auction), and the memories they evoke. The photographs of the pieces (the vast majority shown life-size) are interspersed with many never-before-seen photos of Taylor herself--sometimes with husbands, lovers, children, etc., but mostly just all by her glorious self, adorned with glorious jewelry. How fitting that the magnificent jewelry shown here should grace the person of possibly the most beautiful woman of the 20th century.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite, Jun 23 2004

Diane Smith (Kingsport, Tennessee, United States) - See all my reviews

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

I have admired Elizabeth Taylor and her love of fine jewelry for many, many years. This book is a visual treat and a must have for anyone who loves jewelry.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Liz's Jewels
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. Read more

Published on Feb 25 2003 by waterstn

5.0 out of 5 stars Liz's Jewels
This is an absolutely breath-taking book. It has 280 illustrations, 175 of them in color, and many of them from Elizabeth Taylor's personal collection. Read more

Published on Feb 25 2003 by waterstn