Just as Wladziu Valentino Liberace was a real human being behind the glamor, there are real treasures in Liberace’s collection of jewels. The HBO biopic “Behind the Candelabra” (May 26, 2013) shows some of those many treasures, using the actual collection amassed by Liberace. He glittered at the apex of his long career — and that glitter came from a galaxy of jewels, sequins, and rhinestones.
He had dozens of pieces of custom designed jewelry and loved bling. Fifty-nine pounds of rhinestone in one chunk? He had it and it shines. Liberace had bling before it was called bling! One ring, a 14 carat gold and platinum set with various diamonds, exemplifies his style. He was known for his candelabra on his ornate pianos, so this ring is designed as a candelabrum dripping with marquise, baguette, and round diamonds. It didn’t stand out, though, because he usually had other sparkly things on, too.
One favorite was a 14K gold open link chain with an 1881 US ten dollar gold piece encrusted with diamonds. Another, a large gold nugget watch with a diamond face and surround. He was a devout Catholic and collected crosses, many encrusted with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.
Liberace’s 59 LB Rhinestone
The smaller pieces blended in with the costumes Liberace loved, covered with sequins and rhinestones, pearls and more. One favorite outfit weighed 200 pounds including the cape. A list of Liberace’s most extravagant possessions includes:
- bejeweled microphones
- mirrored and rhinestoned pianos…lots of them
- mirrored and rhinestoned cars…lots of those, too
- “The Drum Major” outfit…a caped hotpants ensemble in red, white, and blue with sequins all over it, worn with matching red sparkly boots or shoes (he had lots of bejeweled footwear to match his outfits)
- “The King Neptune” outfit…that’s the 200 pound one…whose weight comes from pearls, sequins, beads, and jewels sewn on every inch
- his famous white llama fur coat with a 16 foot train and strips of sequins with rhinestones throughout
Such an over-the-top lifestyle demanded a setting, and Liberace provided it in his home. You have to admit, the man knew how to do showmanship to the nth degree! When you see “bling” today, it really could be considered an echo of Liberace and his many treasures.
