The greatest love story ever told… well, sort of
28.08.15
In 1963, one of the most famous classic films was in production. Cleopatra was set to take the world by storm as a story about the turbulent romance between Roman Antony and Egyptian royalty Cleopatra. While in production, a real life turbulent romance was about to take place.
Elizabeth Taylor (Cleopatra) and Richard Burton (Antony) were the stars of the movie, and upon meeting they instantly fell in love! They were both married to others at the time causing scandal with their affair.
They continued to make hit movies together and in 1964 they married. They lead a lavish lifestyle as the most glamorous couple in Hollywood and in 1969 Richard Burton purchased one of the rarest diamonds in the world for his adoring wife… A 69 carat pear shaped diamond reported to be G colour and VS2 clarity.
The love affair was not to last and 10 years after they married the couple divorced. However, they were unable to keep away from each other and married again in 1975. Within a year they were again divorced but maintained that their passion for each other was never to die.
In the IGR laboratory today we received an exceptional diamond to grade. Inspired by the Taylor-Burton piece we received a 2.50ct D IF pear shaped diamond set into an alluring pendant which we couldn’t help comparing to the masterpiece worn by Elizabeth Taylor. The rarity and mystery of this piece was enough to set tongues wagging in the laboratory about who will eventually wear this exceptional piece of jewellery, and we can only hope the spender and the recipient enjoy a long and happy life together instead of the stormy love affair of the real life Antony and Cleopatra!
