In Rome, Kardashian plucks Elizabeth Taylor’s 12-carat emerald necklace from Bulgari’s vault

A rare Rome viewing

Kardashian visited Bulgari in Rome on Friday morning, where she was shown part of Taylor’s emerald and diamond jewelry suite. Her stylist, Law Roach, arranged the opportunity as a birthday present during the press tour for “All’s Fair.” Roach described the access as unprecedented, and the Bulgari team said it was not a regular practice. Kardashian tried the necklace with similar earrings, but the earrings were not Taylor’s original pair. She was not shown the matching ring or bracelet on that occasion.

Burton’s gifts to Taylor

Richard Burton gave Taylor the pendant for her 30th birthday in 1962. It features a 23.46-carat rectangular-cut Colombian emerald surrounded by pear-shaped diamonds. Burton added a ring later that year.

The necklace arrived as a wedding gift in 1964 and could hold the earlier pendant. Its 16 emeralds total almost 61 carats, with diamonds set around them in platinum. Burton later gave Taylor matching earrings and, in 1967, a bracelet to complete the suite.

Auction and Bulgari archive

The full suite was sold at a Christie’s auction in December 2011, with Bulgari buying the pieces for its archives. The necklace sold for $6,130,500, while the pendant brooch brought an additional $6,578,500.

Taylor’s lasting influence

Kardashian said she had spoken with Taylor about the necklace and had visited Taylor’s home shortly after her death, seeing the jewelry in her safe before it was cleared. Taylor died in 2011 at age 79.

Kardashian, who released a documentary about Taylor in October 2025, said the star inspired her both in fashion and humanitarian work. She cited Taylor’s influence on her interest in helping people in prison and pursuing prison reform.