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f it’s the thought that counts, the recipients of these • DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND •

over-the-top holiday gifts rank pretty special in the Russian Empire’s
Catherine the Great
Ieyes of their generous gift-givers: was overly fond of
diamonds, so when an
• A SNOW EVENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA • 189.62-carat diamond
As the man behind such mega- in the shape of half a
successful TV shows as The Love Boat, chicken’s egg from
Charlie’s Angels, Dynasty, and Beverly India came to her
Hills 90210, Aaron Spelling amassed attention, she was
quite a fortune that allowed him to smart enough to enlist
make scorching-hot California chill like the help of her lover,
the polar caps for his kids. A giant snow Count Orlov, to acquire it. Consequently, she named it Orlov’s
machine did the trick, producing diamond and had it encrusted in the Imperial scepter. Some stories
mountains of fake snow which made have Orlov present the diamond to Catherine as a Christmas gift. In
for festive white holidays at the reality, Orlov simply did not have the means to pay for the immense
Spellings’ Beverly Hills residence. This price of the diamond himself, considered “priceless” today. Catherine
“White Christmas” for his family cost could afford it, however, but instead spun the Orlov gift story as a way
Aaron Spelling $2 million at the time. to deflect criticism for her excesses, using the state budget on jewelry.

• HIS OWN VERSION OF PARADISE • • RED FOR ELIZABETH •
While Brad Pitt has Elizabeth Taylor’s well-
several top-selling films to known jewelry collection of
his name, not many of his gifts from her husband
legions of fans know that Richard Burton and other
the actor also has a passion well-heeled admirers is
for architecture. One legendary. As a Christmas
architect that he really present in 1968, Richard
admires is Frank Lloyd Burton presented his then-
Wright, especially the wife with an 8.24-carat
famed architect’s much- Puertas ruby, diamond, and
venerated creation, the gold ring by Van Cleef &
Fallingwater. Angelina Arpels. He stuffed it in her stocking and after all the other presents had
Jolie knew, however, and been opened, he told Elizabeth’s daughter Maria Todd to take it to her.
before their eventual split, she presented her husband with a California “One day I’m going to find you the most perfect ruby in the world” was
waterfall and its adjacent lands for him to realize his dream of recreating the romantic promise Richard Burton once made to Elizabeth Taylor.
his own version of the stunning Wright work. This thoughtful gift set The Welshman went on to add, “It’s my favorite stone, red for Wales.”
her back $1.6 million in 2012. When it sold at auction in 2011, Burton’s Christmas gift to Taylor sold
for $4.2 million.
• SPARKLING BRIGHT •
As two of the most • AND THE GOLDEN TUB GOES TO … •
famous people on the Although former
planet, David and Victoria husband and wife Mike
Beckham can pull headlines Tyson and Robin
like black holes everywhere Givens hugged the lime-
they go. The year 2005 light for the wrong
proved to be a milestone for reasons during their
the couple when David tumultuous marriage,
surprised Victoria with Christmas there’s no doubt the
presents no ordinary mortals could couple had had their
aspire for – a $100,000 diamond-encrusted moments. The former
handbag, a custom-built $500,000 Rolls- and controversial heavy-
Royce Phantom, and the best of the lot, a $2.4 weight champion could
million Boucheron ruby and diamond necklace. certainly afford the best things in life. And he did, gifting his wife a
24-carat gold bathtub – a Christmas present with a price tag of
$2.3 million back then. continued on page 20
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