Kamal Ghorui
Margot Robbie made an unmistakable statement at the world premiere of Wuthering Heights in Los Angeles on Wednesday, January 28. While her sculptural Schiaparelli couture gown delivered high drama, it was the jewellery she chose that quietly stole the evening.The 35-year-old actor stepped onto the red carpet wearing a legendary piece of Hollywood history – a heart-shaped diamond necklace once owned by Elizabeth Taylor. Set on a gold-and-ruby Cartier chain, the necklace is valued at around $8 million (approximately ₹74 crore), according to People. More than its staggering price, the jewel carries a rare mix of cinematic romance and royal heritage.The necklace was originally gifted to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton on her 40th birthday, over five decades ago. One of the most famous tokens from their turbulent love story, the piece has long been associated with passion, excess, and old-world glamour.Speaking at the premiere, Robbie acknowledged the emotional weight of the jewel, saying it “felt filled with romantic history” and perfectly suited for the evening.
The diamond itself is far older than Hollywood. As noted by Natural Diamonds, the heart-shaped, table-cut stone bears a Parsi inscription that reads “Love is Everlasting” and also carries the name of Mughal empress Nur Jahan. Historians believe the gem once belonged to Emperor Shah Jahan, who later passed it down to his son – a lineage that gives the stone its famed name, the Taj Mahal Diamond, and ties it deeply to India’s imperial past.Cartier acquired the diamond in 1971 and reimagined it for modern wear while preserving its heritage. The maison surrounded the stone with red gemstones and table-cut diamonds, incorporating jade elements and suspending it from an Indian silk cord. Cartier designer Alfred Durante later added a woven gold-and-ruby chain, complete with adjustable rondelles and tasselled detailing at the back.The necklace returned to Elizabeth Taylor the following year in an unforgettable moment. In 1972, Cartier president Michael Thomas presented the jewel to Burton and Taylor during a stopover at the International Hotel near Kennedy Airport. Taylor’s reaction was instant and enthusiastic – “I love this, tell me more about it,” she reportedly said.By choosing this storied necklace, Margot Robbie did more than nod to classic Hollywood. She bridged eras – linking a modern red carpet appearance to centuries of romance, craftsmanship, and history woven into a single extraordinary jewel.
