Perhaps no love story has been more closely associated with magnificent jewellery than that of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Their initial meeting was hardly promising—Burton’s mediocre pick-up line about Taylor being “a pretty girl” earned him nothing but disdain. It wasn’t until the filming of Cleopatra, when Burton appeared vulnerable and hungover, needing Taylor’s help to hold his coffee cup, that their legendary romance truly began.

Burton’s gift-giving became the stuff of legend, marked by spontaneous “It’s Tuesday, I love you” presents that would make modern-day romantics swoon. During their time in Rome, Taylor became a regular at Bulgari, where she would spend hours sharing stories with Gianni Bulgari while examining his finest pieces. The crowning glory of their romance was the Taylor-Burton Diamond, a 69.42-carat pear-shaped masterpiece that Taylor initially wore as a ring before she requested Cartier to convert it into a necklace. On her 40th birthday in Budapest, Burton presented her with the Shah Jahan diamond, joking that he would have bought her the Taj Mahal if not for transportation difficulties.

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When fate brought together a young military officer and a widow over her late husband’s sword, no one could have predicted the passionate love affair that would help shape European history. Josephine, six years Napoleon’s senior, got the attention of the future emperor with her worldly charm and grace.

Despite his modest means as a young officer, Napoleon proposed with an exquisite “toi et moi” ring which translates to “you and me”—with two pear-shaped stones, a sapphire and diamond, each weighing just under a carat, symbolising their two souls meeting as one. Their love story, though ultimately ending in divorce due to Josephine’s inability to provide an heir, remained one of history’s most storied romances.

Napoleon’s devotion was evident in his constant gifting of jewels, seeing Josephine as the embodiment of the imperial splendour he envisioned for France. The depth of their connection was revealed in his final moments—his last word on his deathbed was “Josephine”. Their engagement ring, preserved within the Bonaparte family for two centuries, sold at an auction in France in 2013 for nearly US$950,000, overshooting the estimate of US$20,000 by a margin and a half.

Frank Sinatra's approach to romance was as unique as his voice. When it came to proposing to Barbara, he orchestrated a moment that perfectly captured his larger-than-life personality. Presenting her with not one but two 20-carat emerald-cut diamonds, he asked her to choose her favourite. The chosen ring was then dramatically dropped into a champagne glass—though Barbara still had to prompt him for the actual proposal.

Their relationship was marked by grand gestures and intimate moments, with Sinatra frequently surprising Barbara with extraordinary pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier. The engagement ring that sealed their love story later sold at Sotheby’s for US$1.695 million, proving that even decades later, the Sinatra romance still makes collectors and romantics believe (and invest) in love.

“I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King... without the help and support of the woman I love.” With these words, Edward VIII chose love over the British throne, creating one of history’s most controversial yet romantic tales. Their relationship was commemorated with a spectacular Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and sapphire jarretière bracelet, marking the beginning of their lifelong collaboration with the jeweller.

Throughout their marriage, the Duke showered the Duchess with extraordinary pieces, each inscribed with intimate messages documenting their journey together. Their commissioned jewellery collection became a diary of their love story, with pieces like the famous flamingo brooch and cross bracelet bearing secret messages known only to them. These pieces, when occasionally appearing at auction, continue to draw extraordinary interest, not just for their intrinsic value but for the remarkable love story they represent.

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