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Icon.  Film Star.  Humanitarian.  These are just a few words that describe a legend the world still mourns.  In 1963, my Grandmother took me to see the movie Cleopatra on the big screen (my Mother thought it was too risqué for a ten year old).  I was immediately mesmerized when Elizabeth Taylor rose from the bathing pool; I fell in love and that love continues today. 

In over 35 years in the jewelry industry, I have had many incredible opportunities.  Two of them are especially close to my heart.  Several years ago I was able to work with the Smithsonian Institution on many of their great treasures.   This year, I had the honor to work with the Trustees of the Elizabeth Taylor Trust on an incredible line of jewelry inspired by Ms. Taylor’s fabulous pieces.

The Trustees include Barbara Berkowitz, Ms. Taylor’s personal lawyer, Chris Wilding, Ms. Taylor’s son, and Tim Mendelson, Ms. Taylor’s personal assistant for over 25 years.  Tim came up with the concept of Ms. Taylor’s book, Elizabeth Taylor:  My Love Affair with Jewelry.    Being able to spend time with each of them and hearing stories of the warmth, devotion, and truly caring nature of Ms. Taylor, really touched my heart and made me fall in love all over again.

 Tim Mendelson - Ms. Taylor’s personal assistant for over 25 years

Barbara Berkowitz -  Ms. Taylor’s personal lawyer

The Trustees have the great responsibility of making sure Ms. Taylor’s wishes are adhered to and have been incredibly active in every aspect of the product development and upcoming show.  They have approved every sketch and sample.   We wanted to make sure the best materials available were used for each item.   Cubic Zirconia, the finest diamond simulant, was used for diamonds and synthetic rubies and synthetic sapphires whenever a piece required colored stones.    We used our finest jewelry factory to make sure we would all be proud of the quality. Tim, who was intimately involved in the handling of Ms. Taylor’s real jewelry, personally approved the colors and often quoted Ms. Taylor about the colors of rubies or the color of prongs.  “The rubies had to be true red and the prongs always yellow gold.”

Tim, who will be the on-air guest, has made several trips to QVC to work with Lisa Robertson and discuss the show and the jewelry to be featured.   I sat there, spellbound, listening to the heartfelt stories about why a piece was important to Ms. Taylor or other tidbits of information.  Lisa asked Tim if Ms. Taylor wore her big diamond ring very often.   He replied “she wore it all the time and let everybody try it on.” 

I can’t wait for you to see the Elizabeth Taylor Simulated Diamond Ring we are featuring.  We were given a copy of the Gemological Institute of America Certificate for the actual Elizabeth Taylor Diamond and a model of the mounting for inspiration.   Our premier stone cutter cut the stone to be an exact replica, same size and cut.  Fabulous and 33.19 carats like the original!  We even did a smaller version (over 7 carats), still the exact same cutting, if the original is a little too big for you.

Please do not miss this show.  Let me know in the comment section why you love Elizabeth Taylor too.

Take care, Peyton

Tune in to QVC for The Elizabeth Taylor Jewelry Collection Friday, December 12, 2014 from 8 – 10 p.m. ET