Editor’s Note
This article discusses the reappearance of a historic piece of jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor’s ‘Taj Mahal’ diamond necklace, at a recent Hollywood premiere. It serves as a reminder of how iconic artifacts from film history continue to captivate public imagination and influence contemporary culture.
On January 28, 2026, at a film premiere in Los Angeles, lead actress Margot Robbie made an appearance wearing the ‘Taj Mahal’ diamond necklace, a piece from the estate of the legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, sparking global conversation.
This jewelry piece is a historic masterpiece that was auctioned for approximately $8.8 million (about 700 million yen at the time, with its value having risen further since) in 2011. Its recent appearance has once again proven the value of ‘inherited treasures.’
In recent years, the auction market has seen a resurgence of interest in antique pieces with such historical backgrounds and in the exceptional craftsmanship that is difficult to replicate today. Particularly, vintage jewelry adorned with rare colored stones and large diamonds has seen a sharp increase in demand from an asset perspective, with appraisal values in the secondary circulation market continuing to rise globally.
In response to this global trend, there is a growing movement in Japan to reassess the value of high-quality jewelry discovered during estate or asset organization. The specialized buyback store ‘Omoio’ has reorganized its appraisal system with experts holding international certification qualifications.
Even for products without certificates or older design jewelry, by meticulously discerning their rarity and historical value, we aim to identify their appropriate asset value for passing on to the next generation.
‘Omoio’ employs appraisers with international qualifications such as GIA (Gemological Institute of America), conducting multifaceted appraisals that consider not only the gemstone grade but also the historical value and design of the jewelry piece.
1. Expertise in Determining Value Based on International Standards
For globally rare colored stones (sapphire, emerald, ruby, etc.) and large diamonds, as symbolized by Elizabeth Taylor’s collection, we calculate valuations based on the latest market data and benchmarked against international market standards.
2. Fair Appraisal of Antique and Vintage Pieces
We are well-versed in craftsmanship difficult to replicate in modern products and the historical value of brands, allowing us to reflect added value often overlooked by general buyback shops in the price.
3. Diverse Sales Channels
We possess a global auction network and connections with overseas buyers, enabling evaluations that consider worldwide circulation trends, not limited to domestic market prices.
‘Omoio’ will continue to promptly capture trends such as fluctuations in gold and diamond markets and renewed attention to jewelry driven by global celebrities like this instance, providing customers with beneficial information and transparent appraisal services.
Based in cultural hubs like Ginza and Tsukiji, we aim to play a role in communicating Japan’s excellent appraisal technology to the world.
