Cross Worn by Princess Diana Heads to Auction
The diamond and amethyst cross by Garrard is headlining Sotheby’s upcoming “Royal and Noble” online auction.

The pendant is the headliner of the auction house’s “Royal and Noble” online sale, scheduled for Jan. 6-18, that will feature more than 260 lots linked to royalty and aristocrats.
Former British crown jeweler Garrard created the pendant, a Fleurée-style cross set with square-cut amethysts and accented by circular-cut diamonds, around 1920.
Accompanied by documentation from Garrard, the cross is believed to have been a one-of-a-kind private commission for one of its regular clients.
“Jewelry owned or worn by the late Princess Diana very rarely comes on to the market, especially a piece such as the Attallah cross, which is so colorful, bold and distinctive,” said Kristian Spofforth, head of jewelry at Sotheby’s London.
“We are confident that this unique 1920s piece of jewelry by Garrard, with such an exceptional provenance and only ever worn by the princess herself, will attract the attention of a wide variety of bidders, including royal and noble jewelry collectors, as well as fans of the princess keen to share part of her history.”

The pendant has a total diamond weight of approximately 5.25 carats and measures approximately 136 x 95mm.
It has a pre-sale estimate of between £80,000 and £120,000 ($96,000 and $144,000).
The late princess wore the pendant most notably in 1987, pairing it with a baroque-style purple and black velvet Catherine Walker & Co. dress at an event in support of Birthrights, a charity that advocates for human rights during pregnancy and childbirth.
“To some extent, this unusual pendant is symbolic of the princess’s growing self-assurance in her sartorial and jewelry choices, at that particular moment in her life,” said Spofforth.
Princess Diana had an established relationship with Garrard, choosing her famous sapphire and diamond engagement ring—which now belongs to Catherine, Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton)—from the royal jeweler in 1981.
Garrard was the Crown Jeweller from 1843 to 2007, preparing the crown jewels for the coronations of every monarch from King Edward VII to Queen Elizabeth II.
The pendant was a favorite of Princess Diana, according to Ramsay Attallah, whose late father Naim Attallah was joint managing director and then group chief executive of Asprey & Garrard, later renamed Garrard & Co.
Attallah bought the cross from the jewelry house in the 1980s and loaned it to Princess Diana many times, later passing it down to his son.
“Princess Diana and my father were friends and I remember that she often came to see him at the historic Garrard store on Regent Street, where his office was, and she would ask to borrow the pendant on several occasions—she really loved the piece” Ramsay, the current owner of the cross, said.
The cross is believed to have only ever been worn by Princess Diana. After her death in 1997, it was put away and has not been seen by the public until now.
The Royal and Noble Sale lots, including the cross, will be showcased at Sotheby’s London from Jan.12-18.
The Latest

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.


The miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.

Sponsored by Instappraise

CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.

The brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.

Cathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.

The company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.

Connecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.

Its commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.

National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.

Expanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.

Located in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.

The episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.

The Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.

“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.

The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.

Set with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.

“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.

Though currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.

Located in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.