Kim Kardashian spent her 46th birthday in Rome wearing a piece of jewelry most people will only ever see in a museum. At a Bulgari event, stylist Law Roach arranged a private showing of part of Elizabeth Taylor’s famous emerald and diamond suite, and Kardashian got to wear the necklace. The pendant was a 30th birthday gift from Richard Burton in 1962, built around a 23.46-carat Colombian emerald surrounded by pear-shaped diamonds. The necklace alone is valued at $12.7 million.
The full suite, which includes 16 Colombian emeralds totaling nearly 61 carats, has serious auction history. Bulgari bought it back at Christie’s in 2011 for $23.26 million. Kardashian has been an outspoken Elizabeth Taylor admirer for years, releasing a documentary about her in 2025 and citing Taylor’s prison reform work as an inspiration, so this moment wasn’t just a flex. Bulgari called the showing unprecedented, and Kardashian called it the“best birthday present ever,”adding that she would sleep in the necklace every night.
This story is a perfect storm of celebrity glamour, old Hollywood lore, and record-breaking jewelry values, and it gives fashion fans plenty to talk about. The Burton and Taylor love story alone could fill a whole podcast. Would you wear a $12.7 million necklace if someone offered, or would you be too nervous to move? Tell us in the comments.
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.