Origin of name
The Krupp diamond gets its name from actress Vera Krupp,
the original owner of the diamond, who belonged to the famous Krupp family,
owners of Krupp AG, the industrial giant of Germany, that was one of the
world's principal steel makers and arms manufacturers until the end of World
War II. Established in 1811 by Friedrich Krupp, the company was the first to
introduce the Bessemer and the Open-Hearth steel making processes on the
European Continent. The company became internationally famous during world
war I, by manufacturing guns, such as the 16.5 in (420mm) howitzer called
the "Big Bertha" and the long range gun that in the spring of 1918 bombarded
Paris from a distance of about 75 miles (120 Km).
During the second world
war Adolf Hitler, used the company to produce military hardware needed for
his military conquests. The Krupp Combine manufactured submarines, trucks,
locomotives, and warships, in addition to artillery and munitions. After
world war II, at the Nuremburg trial, Alfred Krupp, the chairman of the
company was convicted of war crimes, specifically for the employment of
slave labor. The company was re-organized in the 1950s, and eventually
became one of the largest companies in West Germany, manufacturing steel,
heavy machinery, transportation equipment, automotive parts and assembly and
industrial plants.
Characteristics of the
diamond
The Krupp Diamond is an asscher-cut, D-color stone, with
a weight of 33.19 carats and mounted on a platinum ring.
History
The early history of the diamond is not known except for
the fact that it was once owned by actress Vera Krupp, and came up for sale
at Sotheby's on May 16th, 1968, and was purchased by actor Richard Burton
for his loving wife Elizabeth Taylor, for a sum of $ 305,000, the highest
price paid for a diamond ring at that time, at an auction.
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor will go down in
history as the most celebrated couple, who could not live with or without
each other. Their relationship has been characterized as a fire-and-ice
relationship.
It all began on the sets of the blockbuster film
Cleopatra in 1961, in which Burton played the role of Julius Caesar, and
Taylor that of Cleopatra, the historic episode that was a popular theme for
many a Hollywood film. At that time both of them were married to others,
Burton to Sybil Williams and Taylor to Eddie Fischer. An intense and
passionate relationship developed between them, that was evident to all
those who worked on the sets, and inevitably led to the divorce of their
spouses, and their eventual marriage in March 1964. The scandal sent shock
waves around the world and did not go down well with their fans. However,
the intensity of the love between them was an undeniable fact, and the world
reconciled to their relationship.
Burton was well known for his extravagance, and lavished
expensive jewels and jewelry on his beloved wife Liz, through out their
relationship, and she was able to build up an impressive collection of these
valuables. Burton's attachment to his wife was so intense that at one time
he is reported to have said, "I cannot see life without Elizabeth. She is my
everything, my breath, my blood, my mind and my imagination."
The first item of jewelry she lavished on her was a
Bulgari pendant with an 18.61-carat emerald, surrounded by diamonds, and set
in platinum, which could also be detached and worn as a brooch. It is with
this item of jewelry that Burton proposed to Taylor before their marriage,
and was the only item of jewelry, worn as a brooch by Taylor, during their
wedding ceremony.
The next important item of jewelry he bought for Taylor
was the famous, 33.19-carat, asscher-cut Krupp diamond, set in a platinum
ring, which is the subject of this narrative. In her book "Elizabeth
Taylor-My Love Affair with Jewelry", Taylor says, "the Krupp diamond was
owned by Vera Krupp of the famous German munitions family, which helped
knock off millions of Jews. When it came up for auction in the late 1960s, I
thought how nice it would be if a nice Jewish girl like me were to own it."
Taylor converted to Judaism, to marry her fourth husband Eddie Fisher.
Taylor developed a strong personal attachment to the Krupp, and wears it
constantly in her hand up to this day. She was seen wearing it in all the
films she starred after 1968.
Another famous diamond, acquired by Burton, was the
69.42-carat, D-color, flawless, pear-shaped diamond, which he purchased from
Cartier's in 1969, for a sum of $ 1,050,000. The diamond was mounted as a
pendant on a platinum necklace, by Harry Winston, and came to be known as
the Taylor-Burton diamond.
But, without any doubt the most outstanding gift that
Taylor received from Burton for her 40th Birthday, was the 17th century Taj
Mahal diamond which symbolizes the true love and affection shown by Burton
to his wife Liz Taylor, just as much as, the same stone given as a gift by
Emperor Shah Jahaan, to his beloved second wife Mumtaz Mahal in the 17th
century symbolized the Emperor's true love and affection to his wife, who
unfortunately died in childbirth in 1631. The internationally renowned Taj
Mahal, that was built as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal in 1631, immortalized
their great relationship.
But, unlike the tale of immortal love between Shah Jahaan
and his beloved Mumtaz Mahal, the intense and passionate relationship
between Burton and Taylor was unfortunately short lived and lasted only
about 10 years. The couple divorced in 1974, but reconciled an year later
and re-married in 1975. However the second marriage too broke up in 1976.
Burton died in Switzerland in 1984, and it is said that
up to this day Liz Taylor wears the 33.19-carat Krupp Diamond given to her
by Burton as a symbol of his undying love for her. It appears that in spite
of their separation, Liz Taylor's love for Richard Burton had not waned, and
it is said that she has made plans for her ashes to be scattered in Burton's
homeland of Wales upon her death and cremation.
Taylor has disposed of some of the jewels in her
collection to raise funds for charitable purposes. In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor
sold the Taylor-Burton diamond, and donated the proceeds to help build a
hospital in Botswana, Africa. In the year 2002, she disposed of a diamond
and emerald ring given by Burton, for US $ 80,000, and the proceeds were
credited to Taylor's favorite Aids Charity.
"I have never thought of my jewelry as trophies" Taylor
said, "I am just here to take care of them."
The Krupp diamond to which she has developed a strong
personal attachment still remains in her hand in the platinum ring setting
and is most likely to remain so until she breathes her last.
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