
Margot Robbie’s arrival at the world premiere of Wuthering Heights in Los Angeles was not just a fashion moment, it was a meeting of history and Hollywood. The Australian actor and producer stepped onto the red carpet at the TCL Chinese Theatre on January 28, 2026, in a custom Schiaparelli gown. Yet all eyes were drawn to the jewel resting at her collarbone: Elizabeth Taylor’s legendary Taj Mahal necklace, valued at $8.8 million, approximately Rs 73 crore.
A Mughal jewel born from imperial love
The Taj Mahal diamond dates back to the early 17th century, long before cinema or red carpets existed. It was originally gifted by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahangir to his wife Noor Jahan, one of the most influential women in the empire. The diamond bears an inscription translating to “Love is Everlasting,” along with Noor Jahan’s name, turning the jewel into a deeply personal declaration of devotion.
From Nur Jahan to Mumtaz Mahal
After Noor Jahan’s death, the diamond is believed to have passed to Shah Jahan, her son. He later gifted it to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. When Mumtaz died during childbirth, Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in her memory, forever linking the jewel to one of history’s greatest love stories.
Cartier’s revival of a historic treasure
Centuries later, the diamond resurfaced in Europe and was acquired by Cartier. The maison remounted it in jade and suspended it from a gold chain adorned with rubies and diamonds. The design was inspired by the silk cord on which the diamond was once worn, preserving its Mughal essence while adapting it for modern jewellery.
Richard Burton’s gift to Elizabeth Taylor
In 1972, the necklace entered Hollywood folklore. Richard Burton purchased the Taj Mahal necklace and gifted it to Elizabeth Taylor on her 40th birthday. For Taylor, the jewel became inseparable from her intense, tempestuous relationship with Burton, symbolising a love as dramatic as their lives.
A record auction and a rare legacy
In 2011, the necklace appeared at Christie’s as part of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewellery auction. It sold for $8.8 million, setting records for Indian jewellery. Following legal disputes, the piece ultimately remained with the Elizabeth Taylor estate, where it is preserved today.
Why Margot Robbie was allowed to wear it
Robbie’s appearance in the necklace was carefully planned. Her stylist, Andrew Mukamal, approached the Elizabeth Taylor estate months in advance. Trustee Tim Mendelson later shared that no other piece in Taylor’s collection represented epic, enduring love quite like the Taj Mahal diamond.
Robbie completed the look with custom diamond earrings by Lorraine Schwartz and a 19th-century ruby and diamond ring from Fred Leighton. Still, it was the necklace that defined the evening, worn not as an accessory, but as a living heirloom spanning four centuries.
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