From Wynn Fine Jewelry to House of Pain

The high-end jewelry business, like any business where people are involved, is often less about the jewelry and more about the people. You are really in the “people business.” The more I know who my customer is and what motivates him or her, the more successful I will be. This is why for years I would keep a copy of the Forbes Billionaire’s List close at hand and study the faces often. If one of the world’s top 200 billionaires walked into CHANEL Fine Jewelry at the Bellagio or the Wynn Precious Jewelry Salon while I was on the floor, I wanted to know!

Similarly, when I see a 70 something year old businessman, sporting his Rolex Presidential and Italian loafers - with a thin young mini-skirt in her twenties hanging off him, and they enter my store, I knew I was about to earn a big commission. His ego was my guarantee!

But this true story I am about to tell you began in a nearby state, about eighteen months earlier. Life had brought me to a new city and a new employer. To be a bit more specific it was a wealthy suburb of a major city in the western half of the U.S.

I soon found myself working at the Neiman Marcus Precious Jewelry Salon at the very upscale mall down the street.

One day a lady came into the store who I will call Mrs. Smith, for the purposes of this story.

Now most ladies in this town would get all dressed up in their finest for nothing more than a day of local shopping. But on this day, Mrs. Smith was dressed way down. It was the Christmas season, and she was looking a bit frazzled. Like a busy mom who hadn’t made it to the hairdresser in a while.

I had learned early in my career to never prejudge someone. I had seen my coworkers hesitate based on someone’s appearance and lose out on a nice sale. I know because it was I who would step in and reap the rewards of their mistake.

 So, while she may not have been looking like one of the “Housewives of Orange County” on this day, I did not hesitate to do what I always did.  I stepped forward and greeted (Mrs. Smith) with a big warm welcome and a handshake. She reciprocated and a friendly conversation ensued.

While browsing some gold necklaces and a few other items Mrs. Smith casually mentioned that her daughter had just moved to her first apartment, and she was on her way there now to take her daughter shopping for new furnishings. Mrs. Smith made a small purchase then asked if I could direct her to the Christmas decorations.

As we walked toward that department, I began telling her about the amazing Swarvosky Christmas Ornaments by famous designer Jay Strongwater, that were so popular with Neiman Marcus shoppers.  

I enthusiastically informed her that the largest Swarvosky Crystal (octahedron) on the west coast was currently displayed at the top of the main building at the Gemological Institute in Carlsbad Ca., where I went to school. Mrs. Smith proceeded to buy over twenty Swarvosky Crystal Ornaments for her daughter’s Christmas tree, a rather hefty purchase. Even though it was not my department, it was my sale, and I received the commission.

For the next year or so, Mrs. Smith would stop in the store anytime she was in the mall. Often, she would be with her daughter whom I also got to know. I remember her daughter thanking me for encouraging her mother to buy those beautiful Christmas ornaments.  By all accounts Mrs. Smith and I had become friends. I learned that she and her husband owned a number of car dealerships in the region. Quite often I would see her husband in TV commercials for their dealerships. While I never met him in person, I knew he was Mrs. Smith’s husband.

Life continued to change and unfold as life does and I eventually found myself back in Las Vegas, working at the Wynn Fine Jewelry Salon. I had quite possibly reached the pinnacle of my career. This was my dream job! I became personal friends with Steve Wynn and his wife Elaine Wynn.  Elaine called the Wynn Fine Jewelry store her personal jewelry box. Life was amazing!

One day in 2005 or 2006 I was on the floor at Wynn Fine Jewelry when in walked an older gentleman, with quite a young lady attached to his arm. I instantly recognized him from somewhere, but where? I thought to myself.  I began going through my mental rolodex trying to recall. I realized I had never met him in person, yet I knew him. Then it hit me. It was Mrs. Smith’s husband from all those car dealer TV commercials! But wait, that wasn’t Mrs. Smith on his arm, and it certainly was not his daughter - even though she was young enough to be his daughter.

“Well, well, Mr. Car Dealer” I thought to myself, “You are not getting off easy today.” As I knew I would be selling the young lady on his arm the most expensive piece of jewelry his ego and his credit card would allow.

I briefly thought of his wife I had previously got to know…….

I stepped forward and said “welcome!” with a smile.

But inside my head I heard….. “Welcome to Robyn’s torture chamber!”

And yes, I made him pay!

By Robyn Burton

as told to Darryl Kimball

The Moment Elizabeth Taylor shoved the Krupp Diamond into my hand, changing my life forever!

Elizabeth Taylor with the Bolshoi Ballet dancers - Pantages Theater Hollywood, August 1989. Photo by Robyn Burton.

In the summer of 1989, at the age of 26, I found myself immersed in the vibrant world of Hollywood thanks to my mother, Dixie Burton. As the West Coast CEO of the Pantages Theater's Special Events division, she wielded a certain amount of influence in the entertainment industry. Her role extended far beyond merely staging plays like "Les Misérables" and "Hello, Dolly!"—she was the mastermind behind transforming the Pantages into iconic cinematic backdrops. Blockbusters like "Batman Forever" saw the theater's lobby morph into Gotham City, while "The Bodyguard" starred Whitney Houston against the backdrop of this historic venue. Through her connections, I even had the opportunity to step in as an extra in several film productions.

I had grown up around the Movie business. My Mother and Father operated the Del Mar (Ca.) Drive Inn Theater since I was a very young girl. My parents were heavily involved in ShoWest, a major convention for Theater Owners that was founded around 1974. In 2011 ShoWest became CinemaCon which just this year held its annual convention at Ceasar’s Palace Las Vegas. I can still remember when the ShoWest Convention was held at the Hotel Del Cornado in San Diego, sometime in the late 70s.  I remember because I bumped into this good-looking teen idol by the name of Robby Benson and ended up hanging out with him all day. What a wonderful life I have had!

Robyn Burton’s Backstage Pass to the Bolshoi Ballet at the Pantages, Issued by Russian Security.

From August 1st to August 6th, 1989, the famed Russian Bolshoi Ballet captivated audiences at the Pantages Theater. It was a monumental event, made possible by none other than my mother, who spearheaded their historic journey to America. I vividly recall her recounting the negotiations she had with the former Russian KGB, to secure their highly anticipated appearance in the USA.

Through her position at the Pantages Theater my mother Dixie had also met and become personal friends with Elizabeth Taylor. I don’t know when they first met, or exactly how close their relationship was, (my mother was never one to brag) but nevertheless they were personal friends. Tonight was the opening night of the Bolshoi Ballet at the Pantages and Elizabeth Taylor would be in attendance.

When Elizabeth Taylor attended any show at the Pantages she would always make her entry during the time after the lights were dimmed and before the curtain rose, otherwise she would never make it to her seat through all the adoring fans. I can still hear the whispers “its Elizabeth Taylor” floating up from the audience as she made her way down the center isle in the dim light. On this day, my mother had made sure that I was sitting in the same row as Mrs. Taylor, who normally would sit in the 5th row center. In fact, there was only one person between Mrs. Taylor and me. I don’t recall who that person was, but they had arrived with Mrs. Taylor. Sitting on my other side was my cousin, Kathy Mitchell from Utah.

As a world-famous Ballet Company founded around 1776, the performance by the Bolshoi Ballet Academy was mesmerizing. After the performance, and as the audience began to disperse, it was time for Elizabeth Taylor to meet the performers and present roses to the principal dancers. I made my way onto the stage clutching a small camera. By now I had come to realize that I was in an envious position. Through my mother and the Pantages Theater I was meeting many Hollywood Celebrities and the occasional dignitary. On this day I had decided to bring my camera and document a little bit of history while Elizabeth Taylor greeted the members of the Ballet. The two photos accompanying this article were taken by me, on stage at the Pantages, just after Elizabeth Taylor presented roses to the lead dancers. I can still here the words of Elizabeth Taylor as she told the dancers, with great flair, “When you were dancing it was as if there was electricity in the air.” I will always remember this because as Elizabeth Taylor entered the theater earlier that evening and I could hear the crowd murmuring her name, I thought to myself “its as if there is electricity in the air.” So strange.

Elizabeth Taylor on stage at the Pantages Theater just after a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet, August 1989. Photo from the personal collection of Robyn Burton.

After the meet and greet on stage it was time for the after party. Everyone began to filter backstage to the green room, where the real party soon began. It was here in the green room, that unbeknownst to me, Elizabeth Taylor would ignite a spark within me that would forever change the trajectory of my life.

I had met Elizabeth Taylor on one prior occasion at the Pantages. It was during the opening night of Hello Dolly. I remember so clearly that she was sitting next to Rock Hudson. Anthony Quinn was also there along with so many stars. Later we were all seated at a table backstage. My mother introduced me to Mrs. Taylor from across the table. So, on this date I didn’t shake her hand.

Many years later I would also attend Elizabeth Taylor’s 65th birthday party at the Pantages on February 16th, 1997. The party was thrown for her by Michael Jackson, and even Madonna performed. It was a star-studded event.  But it was on this hot summer night in August of 1989 that Elizabeth Taylor would have such a profound impact on my life.

As the party unfolded in the green room, I saw my mother and Elizabeth Taylor standing off to the side talking. I gravitated toward them, and my mother introduced me for a second time to Elizabeth Taylor. I assume I must have shaken her hand, or at least our hands met because I immediately began admiring the massive diamond ring she was wearing on her left-hand ring finger.

Suddenly, and without hesitation Mrs. Taylor tugged the ring off her finger, shoved it into the palm of my hand and exclaimed, “oh for heaven’s sake Robyn just hold it.” I was stunned! I remember staring at Elizabeth Taylor, the most famous and iconic actress in the world thinking to myself….         ”did she just put her diamond ring in my hand?”  I looked at my mom in disbelief. She just smiled and sort of nodded back. The whole thing was just mesmerizing!

As I stared at the massive, beautiful, brilliant diamond I knew right then I would somehow be in the diamond business for the rest of my life. Everyone has life changing moments in their life, and this was certainly a magical moment in my life!

When I tell this story I am often asked if it was the famed 68 carat Taylor-Burton Diamond?  I am certain that it was not, as the Taylor-Burton diamond was a pear-shaped diamond while this was a rectangular- cut diamond, also known as an Asscher-Cut.  

I am also certain that the diamond Mrs. Burton placed in my hand was the Famed Krupp Diamond – later renamed the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, a whopping 33.19 carat in size. This diamond was first presented to Elizabeth Taylor by her husband Richard Burton while on their yacht in London in 1968 as an engagement ring. It too became internationally renowned. Partly because of its involvement in a jewel heist in Las Vegas when it was still owned by Mrs. Vera Krupp.

Elizabeth Taylor owned the Krupp – Elizabeth Taylor diamond until her passing in 2011 after which it was sold by Christie’s.

A December 2011 CBS news article about the sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry collection had this to say about the Krupp diamond;

“Worn by the actress almost daily for 40 years, the diamond was a gift from the man Taylor married twice, actor Richard Burton. The occasion? Just because it was a Tuesday!”

Thank you Elizabeth Taylor for the opportunity to hold history in the palm of my hand and changing my life forever!

By Robyn Burton

As told to Darryl Kimball