Rock Stars: The La Peregrina Pearl
This week we’re paying homage to some of the world’s most famous (read: biggest, sparkliest, spendiest, most coveted) stones. Grab your loupe and join us for a closer look at these historic gems.
Photo credit: @annabeckdesigns & @barmakian
Fit for a queen—and Elizabeth Taylor
Meaning “wanderer” or “pilgrim woman” in Spanish, the 203.84 grain La Peregrina pearl has a history that spans nearly 500 years, multiple monarchies, and both of Elizabeth Taylor’s marriages to Richard Burton—it’s been on quite the journey.
First recorded by historian Garcilaso de la Vega in 1579, La Peregrina was discovered in Panama, and brought back to Spain by Don Pedro de Temez, who made a present of the pearl to Spain’s King Philip II. From there, La Peregrina began a royal procession.
Philip gifted the pearl to his bride, Queen Mary I of England. It was worn by Margaret of Austria to celebrate the peace treaty between Spain and England in 1605. Elisabeth of France wore it, as did Mariana of Austria. Napoleon’s older brother, Joseph, had it in his possession for a while, before willing it to his nephew, Napoleon III of France. Napoleon III sold it to James Hamilton, the Duke of Abercorn, and it remained in the Hamilton family until 1969.
Enter Elizabeth Taylor. Richard Burton was the lucky winner of the Sotheby’s auction, purchasing La Peregrina for $37,000. La Peregina became a Valentine’s Day gift from Burton to Taylor, who treasured the gem and wore it repeatedly until her death in 2011, when it was auctioned by Christie’s for $11 million (suddenly $37,000 doesn’t sound so steep!).
Incidentally, “the wanderer” was an apt nickname for the pearl in more ways than one. While in the Hamiltons’s possession, La Peregrina escaped its setting and was momentarily lost during two separate occasions: once in a sofa at Windsor Castle, and another time during a ball at Buckingham Palace. During Taylor’s ownership, the pearl was misplaced in a hotel suite, only to be discovered moments later in the mouth of her puppy.
A historic jewel with a penchant for getting lost may sound like more trouble than it’s worth, especially at $11 million. But a more petite pearl piece might be just the thing your jewelry box is missing.
Editor: Samantha Durbin
Wordsmith: Rebecca Daly
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