9. Elizabeth Taylor’s Taj Mahal Diamond ($8.8 million)
This Elizabeth Taylor’s collection was also given to her as her 40th birthday present by her husband. Called the Taj Mahal diamond, it is believed to belong to Shah Jahangir who commissioned the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
The heart-shaped table-cut diamond is in a jade red stone and diamond mounting. It dangles from a gold-and-ruby chain. And it bears Persian inscription: Nur Jahan Baygum-e Padshah (Nur Jahan Lady of the Padshah); 23; and 1037. The number 23 refers to the regnal year of Shah Jahangir which was the year of 1037 in Islamic calendar.
Originally, the pendant was suspended from a silk cord. Then, the 20th century chain was fashioned by Cartier with the style of the original cord.
In December 2011, The Taj Mahal necklace was sold at Christie’s New York for $8.8 million. However, the unidentified buyer canceled the purchased. He suggested that there was no significant proof that the diamond ever belonged to Shah Jahangir. Taylor’s trustee sued Christie’s for this. And the court convicted that the necklace should be re-auctioned.
