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
WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
CollectionsJun 30, 2026
Jade Ruzzo’s New Collection Embodies the Art of Being a LadyThe “Lady” collection is a new take on old beauty standards with gemstone-adorned hair pins and combs, a compact mirror necklace, and more.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJun 30, 2026
Blue Nile Introduces Montana Sapphire CollectionThe new line is included in the e-tailer’s curation of jewelry celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingJun 30, 2026
AGS Opens 2026 Recertification ExamAll active members who earned their credential or designation before Dec. 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
