Elizabeth Taylor's £100m collection of gems, gowns and art goes on display at Christie's today

The legendary emerald suite was bought by Elizabeth Taylor and husband Richard Burton at jewellers Bulgari while filming Cleopatra in Italy 

Elizabeth Taylor was renowned for her impeccable taste for jewellery, and in her lifetime amassed a dazzling collection worth a staggering £20million.

Many of the pieces were designed by Taylor herself in partnership with her favoured jewellery house, Cartier, and many bestowed upon her by her generous husbands.

After her death at age 79 in March, the entire collection of 300 glorious pieces which is given an estimated total value of close to £100m is to go on display at the London auction house Christie's today in a three day exhibition, ahead of a sale of the hoard in New York this December.

 Left, the Night of the Iguana Brooch, estimated worth £150,000 to £250,000 ($231,000 to $385,000), and Elizabeth wearing the brooch in 1965. Right, the 33.19 carat Elizabeth Taylor diamond,  said to be potentially internally flawless, is expected to fetch £2.2m ($3.3m), ,far right, Elizabeth wearing the diamond ring

Impressive: Ruby and diamond drop earrings from a suite that included an elaborate necklace, and right, Taylor wearing the earrings with the matching necklace

Taylor wearing the Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond ring at the 2006 Macy's Passport gala in Santa Monica, California

Many of the stunning gems have great historic value. One, La Pérégrina pearl, is widely considered to be one of the most important pearls in the world. The pear-shaped piece dates from the 16th century, and once belonged to King Phillip II of Spain, and later to his daughters Elizabeth and Margaret.

A total of 269 pieces from her jewellery collection will be auctioned while 400 fashion items spanning over 50 years of Taylor's life will also be sold off.

Highlights from Taylor's art collection, include the 1889 Vincent Van Gogh painting Vue De L'Asile Et De La Chapelle De Saint-Remy, which is expected to fetch up to £7 million and a rare self-portrait by Edgar Degas, with a pre-sale estimate of £450,000.

The trustees of Taylor’s estate have renamed it The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, and it is estimated to fetch between £1.57million and £2.19million.

Firm favourite: The actress wore this beautifully structured metallic dress with leaf detailing back in 1992

Left, The diamond Prince of Wales brooch, made in 1935, has an estimate price of £350,000 to £600,000;  right, pair of diamond and multi-coloured sapphire ball ear clips, with an estimate of £75,000 to £100,00 ($100,000 to150,000)

Charming: A bracelet from the collection features tiny charms in gold, studded with turquoise and ruby - it was a gift from Burton to Taylor, and carries charms bearing the names of both

Highlights from Taylor's art collection, include the 1889 Vincent Van Gogh painting Vue De L'Asile Et De La Chapelle De Saint-Remy, which is expected to fetch up to £7 million