AuctionsJan 18, 2023
Jewelry Owned by André Leon Talley Up for AuctionAuctionsJan 19, 2023
Kim Kardashian Bought Princess Diana’s Amethyst Cross
The businesswoman and reality TV star paid nearly $200,000 for the “Attallah Cross.”
Kim Kardashian is now the owner of this amethyst and diamond cross created by Garrard and worn by Princess Diana. A representative for the business mogul and reality TV star placed the winning bid for the pendant at Sotheby’s online “Royal & Noble” sale, paying $197,453.
London—Auction houses aren’t always at liberty to say who’s purchased their most high-profile pieces but it certainly can be interesting when they do.
On Wednesday, Sotheby’s revealed the name of the person who bought the large amethyst cross pendant created by Garrard and worn by Princess Diana on several occasions—Kim Kardashian.
Sotheby’s offered the pendant as part of its online “Royal & Noble” sale, a mix of jewelry, furniture, ceramics and decorative objects with aristocratic ties.
The “Attallah Cross,” as it was known, features square-cut amethysts and 5.25 total carats of circular-cut diamonds. It is a substantial piece, measuring 136 x 95 mm, or about 5 inches long by 4 inches wide.
The pre-sale estimate for the piece was £80,000 to £120,000 ($96,000 to$144,000).
Sotheby’s said Wednesday four bidders were competing for the piece in the last five minutes of the online-only auction, with a representative for Kardashian ultimately winning out.
The businesswoman and reality TV star paid £163,800 ($197,453) for the pendant, topping its highest pre-sale estimate by more than $50,000.
“This is a bold piece of jewelry by its size, color and style that cannot fail to make a vibrant statement, whether it be of faith or fashion—or indeed both,” said Kristian Spofforth, head of jewelry for Sotheby’s London.
“We are delighted that this piece has found a new lease of life within the hands of another globally famous name.”
One of Princess Diana’s most notable outings with the “Attallah Cross” came in 1987 when she paired the amethyst pendant with a purple and black velvet dress to an event supporting Birthrights, a charity that advocates for human rights during pregnancy and childbirth.
Once upon a time, Garrard was the British court jeweler, preparing the crown jewels for the coronations of every monarch from King Edward VII to Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Diana’s famed sapphire and diamond engagement ring—which now belongs to Catherine, Princess of Wales—came from Garrard.
The jewelry house made the fleurée-style amethyst cross pendant around 1920. It is believed to have been a one-off private commission for a regular client.
The late Naim Attallah, a Garrard executive, bought the cross from the jewelry house in the 1980s and loaned it to Princess Diana many times.
His son, Ramsay Attallah, told Sotheby’s, “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.”
One of her most notable outings came in 1987 when she paired the cross with a baroque-style purple and black velvet Catherine Walker & Co. dress for a charity event, two bold choices that symbolized the young princess’ growing self-assurance in her fashion and jewelry.
Naim passed the pendant down to his son.
After Princess Diana’s death in 1997, the Attallah Cross was put away.
It had not been on public view since, until it was displayed in London this month ahead of the Sotheby’s sale.
More on Auctions
The Latest
EditorsNov 22, 2024
Out & About: Inside the CD Peacock MansionStep inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.
CollectionsNov 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Xander Jane’s ‘Spiked’ Pearl StudsThese punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
SourcingNov 22, 2024
Facets of Fire Expands to Include Pear, Marquise DiamondsThe company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry CatalogSponsored by Tasha R
Weekly QuizNov 21, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund RequestsA federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ CollectionCynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San FranciscoThe new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax FraudThe auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability FocusThe four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New CollectionThe “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation EffortsThe money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship ApplicationsThe event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry StoreLocal reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYCThe Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s RebrandHampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry WeekThe group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra ScottThe collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition ReturnsThis year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic ConSenior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ DesignsThe latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket WatchNo. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
AuctionsNov 14, 2024
18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
