The Italian jewelery brand Bulgari is synonymous with luxury, Hollywood and of course, Elizabeth Taylor. The Dame became famous for her love of over-the-top jewels but had a particular obsession with Bulgari bling. Her jewelry dispensary (aka on-again/off-again husband Richard Burton) once said, "I introduced Liz to beer, she introduced me to Bulgari. The only word Elizabeth knows in Italian is Bulgari." During the filming of Cleopatra, where Taylor -- dripped in Bulgari as the ancient Egyptian Pharoh (picture above) -- met a married Burton, the two conducted a jewelry-laden affair of extreme scandal almost bankrupting 20th Century Fox. Okay, it was already the most expensive movie ever produced too, but oh the glamor of it all!
Liz isn't the only star who's taken a liking to the brand. Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces, currently showing exclusively at the Houston Museum of Natural Science until October 5, showcases 150 pieces from Bulgari's Hollywood-rich Heritage Collection. The exhibition marks the first time the jeweler has displayed pieces from every time period since its Roman beginnings in 1884. From Dame Helen Mirren at this year's Golden Globes to an epic Jessica Chastain-meets-Elizabeth Taylor look at Cannes in 2013, we rounded up Bulgari's biggest Hollywood moments below.
Helen Mirren at the 2014 Golden Globes / Bulgari earrings in platinum with emeralds and diamonds -- 1964.
Jessica Chastain at the 2014 Golden Globes / Bulgari necklace in platinum with diamonds -- 1930.
Julia Roberts at the 2014 Academy Awards / Bulgari earrings in white gold with round brilliant cut diamonds, emerald cut diamonds, and tapered baguette diamonds -- 2005.
Monica Vitti for Vogue Italia in 1963 / Bulgari necklace in platinum with emeralds and diamonds -- 1961.
Naomi Watts at the 2014 Academy Awards / Bulgari Necklace in white gold with round brilliant cut diamonds and diamonds pave -- 2004, Bulgari Serpenti Minaudiere Clutch -- FW12 -- and Bulgari Serpenti white gold single coil bracelet -- 2009.
Juliette Binoche repping 1930s jewelry trends / Bulgari convertible necklace in platinum with diamonds -- 1938. "Convertible" jewels were a big trend in the 1930s. This necklace can be wore as two bracelets, two long dress clips and two short ones, a brooch and the central pendant can be worn on a bangle as a centerpiece.
Jessica Chastain at Cannes Film Festival 2013 / Bulgari Sautoir in platinum with sapphires and diamonds -- 1969. Originally a gift from Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor, Chastain was the first person to wear the iconic pendent since Taylor, and the Cannes premiere of a remastered Cleopatra was a particularly apt occasion.
Elizabeth Taylor with 6th husband John Warner / Bulgari Gourmette sautoir in gold with six Byzantine gold coins and diamonds -- 1975. The sautoir was a favorite of Taylor, who wore it on numerous occasions, including the day her engagement to John Warner was announced in 1976.
Elizabeth Taylor with husband Eddie Fisher at a party organized by Taylor to celebrate the first anniversary of Kirk Douglas' film Spartacus in Rome in 1961 / Tremblant brooch in platinum with fancy yellow and cognac-color diamonds and diamonds -- 1959.
Liz isn't the only star who's taken a liking to the brand. Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces, currently showing exclusively at the Houston Museum of Natural Science until October 5, showcases 150 pieces from Bulgari's Hollywood-rich Heritage Collection. The exhibition marks the first time the jeweler has displayed pieces from every time period since its Roman beginnings in 1884. From Dame Helen Mirren at this year's Golden Globes to an epic Jessica Chastain-meets-Elizabeth Taylor look at Cannes in 2013, we rounded up Bulgari's biggest Hollywood moments below.
Helen Mirren at the 2014 Golden Globes / Bulgari earrings in platinum with emeralds and diamonds -- 1964.
Jessica Chastain at the 2014 Golden Globes / Bulgari necklace in platinum with diamonds -- 1930.
Julia Roberts at the 2014 Academy Awards / Bulgari earrings in white gold with round brilliant cut diamonds, emerald cut diamonds, and tapered baguette diamonds -- 2005.
Monica Vitti for Vogue Italia in 1963 / Bulgari necklace in platinum with emeralds and diamonds -- 1961.
Naomi Watts at the 2014 Academy Awards / Bulgari Necklace in white gold with round brilliant cut diamonds and diamonds pave -- 2004, Bulgari Serpenti Minaudiere Clutch -- FW12 -- and Bulgari Serpenti white gold single coil bracelet -- 2009.
Juliette Binoche repping 1930s jewelry trends / Bulgari convertible necklace in platinum with diamonds -- 1938. "Convertible" jewels were a big trend in the 1930s. This necklace can be wore as two bracelets, two long dress clips and two short ones, a brooch and the central pendant can be worn on a bangle as a centerpiece.
Elizabeth Taylor with 6th husband John Warner / Bulgari Gourmette sautoir in gold with six Byzantine gold coins and diamonds -- 1975. The sautoir was a favorite of Taylor, who wore it on numerous occasions, including the day her engagement to John Warner was announced in 1976.
Elizabeth Taylor with husband Eddie Fisher at a party organized by Taylor to celebrate the first anniversary of Kirk Douglas' film Spartacus in Rome in 1961 / Tremblant brooch in platinum with fancy yellow and cognac-color diamonds and diamonds -- 1959.