An unlikely celebrity is the new owner of a necklace previously worn by Diana, Princess of Wales.
Kim Kardashian purchased the diamond-encrusted amethyst Attallah cross pendant at Sotheby’s annual Royal & Noble auction. The piece features square-cut amethysts accented by circular-cut diamonds. The reality star paid $197,453 (about £163,800) for the diamond weighing in at 5.25 carats. Kardashian won the item within the last five minutes of the auction. According to Sotheby’s, the necklace went for double its pre-auction estimate.
Head of Jewelry at Sotheby London, Kristian Spofforth, said in a statement: “This is a bold piece of jewellery by its size, colour and style which cannot fail to make a vibrant statement, whether it be of faith or fashion — or indeed both.
“We are delighted that this piece has found a new lease of life within the hands of another globally famous name.”
Sources say Kardashian is honoured to own the piece of jewellery worn by the late Princess. Diana wore the pendant multiple times, the most notable being at a 1987 Birthright London charity gala. At the event in support of Birthright’s humanitarian work for those in pregnancy and childbirth, she paired the pendant with a long pearl chain and wore a royal purple Victorian velvet gown by Catherine Walker.
The pendant has a decades-long history. Famous court jeweller Garrard designed it in the 1920s. It was purchased by the late Naim Attallah CBE, the former group chief executive of Asprey & Garrard. Attallah often loaned the gem to the Princess during the 1980s. Sotheby’s claims the piece was only ever worn by the Princess and hasn’t been seen in public since her untimely death in 1997. Diana had a close relationship with the jeweller – a bond dating back to when she selected her engagement ring from the house in 1981.
