La Peregrina pearl

Its owners include the Spanish monarchs, the history of the pearl spans almost 500 years and recently belonged to actress Elizabeth Taylor.

It was found by an African slave in the Pearl Islands in 1513 and was turned over to Don Pedro de Temez, who was the administrator of Panama at the time.

Later, in his testament, King Philip elevated the pearl to the rank of a Spanish Crown Jewel, and from then on it is recorded in every royal inventory for more than 200 years.

Margaret of Austria wore the pearl for the celebration of the peace treaty between Spain and England in 1605.

Portraits made by Diego Velázquez are evidence that the pearl was prized by both Elisabeth of France and Mariana of Austria.

[2][5] In his biography of Louis XIV, Michel de Grèce claims that King Philip IV of Spain wore what later became known as La Peregrina in his hat at the proxy wedding of his daughter Maria Theresa of Spain to Louis at Fontarrabie in June 1660.

In his will, Joseph Bonaparte left the pearl to his nephew, the future Napoleon III of France.

[8] On one occasion, the pearl went missing in the Burtons' suite at Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada.

I glanced over at Richard and thank God he wasn't looking at me, and I went into the bedroom and threw myself on the bed, buried my head into the pillow and screamed.

[11] Taylor commissioned Cartier to re-design the necklace, setting La Peregrina with pearls, diamonds, and rubies.

La Peregrina was sold as part of Elizabeth Taylor's collection, which was being auctioned at Christie's in New York.