Taylor's 52.72 carats Sapphire and Diamond Sautoir

Elizabeth Taylor wearing Bulgari Sapphire Sautoir. Photo courtesy: Terry O'Neill/Getty

From the Italian jewelry house, Bulgari, the Art Deco style sautoir is set with a 52.72-carat sugarloaf Burmese cabochon Sapphire. It was gift to Elizabeth Taylor from her then husband Richard Burton for her 40th birthday in 1972. She owned the necklace until she died on 23 March 2011.

Burton once said, "The only word Elizabeth knows in Italian is Bulgari." This explains how much she loved the classic gift.

The Art Deco style sautoir is expected to fetch between $600,000-$800,000 at Christie's Evening Sale on December 13, 2011 in New York.

Elizabeth Taylor's Sapphire and Diamond Sautoir by Bulgari, 1969. Photo courtesy: Christie's

What do you think about this outstanding piece of jewelry? Share your comments and reactions below.

Update: Far past the expectations, the Sautoir was finally sold for enormous $5,906,500 dollars yesterday! I hope the new owner takes as good care of it as Taylor took of her jewelry.