Last year, one of Princess Diana’s boldest jewels – the Attallah crucifix pendant – made headlines when it sold at auction during Sotheby’s annual Royal and Noble sale.
Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess rarely comes to market, so it’s no surprise the pendant fetched an impressive £163,800, with Kim Kardashian swooping in at the last minute to secure the winning bid.
The American media personality showcased the piece for the first time over the weekend at the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles. Fine jewellery experts at UK retailer Steven Stone have shared all the details you need to know about it.
Crafted from gold and silver, the exquisitve pendant showcases square cut amethysts, framed by 5.25 carats of circular cut diamonds. It’s thought to have been designed in the early 20th century by Garrard.
This iconic piece is not only significant for being worn by the Princess of Wales, but it also carries deep sentiment, as it hasn’t been seen since her tragic passing.
Originally owned by Naim Atallah, a close friend of Diana and former manager of Asprey, the pendant was loaned to her multiple times. It was later passed down to his son, Ramsay, who recalls Diana visiting the historic Garrard store on Regent Street, expressing her admiration for the piece and requesting to borrow it on several occasions.
While amethyst traditionally symbolizes royal privilege, Diana famously defied convention by wearing the pendant on an unusually long chain. Her unique approach to jewellery, often altering lavish pieces, showcased her distinctive style and her ability to highlight her collection of royal jewels in a fresh and captivating way.
Kim wore a white Gucci gown with a plunging neckline to the charity event. Using the pendant to add a vibrant splash of colour to her otherwise all-white ensemble, Kim opted for a fresh take on it by significantly shortening the pearl chain and pairing it with a stack of other jewels, including a six-strand pearl choker.
“Very few people could carry an unusual piece like this off, but Princess Diana certainly could. The elaborate gold, silver, amethyst and diamond pendant is in the shape of a cross and is believed to have been created in the early 20th century by Garrard.
Not only is this pendant iconic for having been worn by the Princess of Wales, but it also carries sentimental value, as it once belonged to Naim Attallah – Diana’s friend and the former manager of Asprey. He loaned it to her on several occasions, adding a personal touch to its history. Until last year’s auction, the piece had remained unseen since Diana’s tragic passing.
While amethyst has traditionally symbolised royal privilege, Diana’s decision to wear the pendant on an unusually long chain highlighted her talent for presenting her collection of royal jewels in a distinctive manner. She was unafraid to challenge tradition and reinvent lavish pieces to reflect her own style.
It’s no surprise that Kim Kardashian is the new owner of this iconic piece. The global icon has long celebrated her passion for historic fashion, famously donning Marilyn Monroe’s legendary ‘Happy Birthday’ dress at the 2022 Met Gala. In a striking contrast to Princess Diana’s timeless elegance, Kim chose to showcase it on a short chain during its debut in Los Angeles over the weekend.
Whilst it’s tricky to put a price on such a remarkable piece, I’d estimate the pendant to be worth £300,000, which is nearly double what Kim Kardashian has bought it for.“
maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
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