AuctionsJun 15, 2023
Rebekah Harkness’ Dalí Starfish Sells for Almost $1MAuctionsJun 30, 2023
Princess Diana’s ‘Swan Lake Suite’ Sold to Private Buyer
According to auction house Guernsey’s, a prominent museum bought the necklace and earring set.
The South Sea pearl jewelry included in the late Princess Diana’s “Swan Lake Suite.” Originally scheduled to be offered at auction on June 27, a museum purchased the necklace and earring set prior to the public sale. (Photo courtesy of Guernsey’s)
Editor's note: This story was updated to include additional information obtained post-publication.
New York—Guernsey’s announced on its website that the Princess Diana “Swan Lake Suite” has been sold to a “prominent” museum.
The necklace and earring set was slated to be auctioned Tuesday at The Pierre Hotel in New York City.
That morning, Guernsey's told National Jeweler the auction was canceled due to the jewels’ sale via a pre-auction private treaty but declined to provide any further details.
It updated its website with the museum information the following day.
The Swan Lake Suite is comprised of a South Sea pearl necklace and matching earrings made by Garrard with design input from the princess.
On June 3, 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, attended the opening night of the British National Ballet’s performance of “Swan Lake” at the Royal Albert Hall in London wearing the necklace. This was one of her final public appearances.
Following the ballet, the princess returned the piece so Garrard could craft a pair of matching earrings, but she was tragically killed in Paris before receiving them.
The necklace is comprised of 178 marquise- and round brilliant-cut diamonds and seven 12 mm South Sea pearls. It’s mounted in platinum and includes more than 50 carats of diamonds.
The coordinating earrings feature a round brilliant-cut and marquise-cut diamond cluster with a South Sea cultured pearl drop. They are also mounted in platinum and are claw-set with peg and clip fittings.
Related stories will be right here …
New York—Guernsey’s announced on its website that the Princess Diana “Swan Lake Suite” has been sold to a “prominent” museum.
The necklace and earring set was slated to be auctioned Tuesday at The Pierre Hotel in New York City.
That morning, Guernsey's told National Jeweler the auction was canceled due to the jewels’ sale via a pre-auction private treaty but declined to provide any further details.
It updated its website with the museum information the following day.
The Swan Lake Suite is comprised of a South Sea pearl necklace and matching earrings made by Garrard with design input from the princess.
On June 3, 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, attended the opening night of the British National Ballet’s performance of “Swan Lake” at the Royal Albert Hall in London wearing the necklace. This was one of her final public appearances.
Following the ballet, the princess returned the piece so Garrard could craft a pair of matching earrings, but she was tragically killed in Paris before receiving them.
The necklace is comprised of 178 marquise- and round brilliant-cut diamonds and seven 12 mm South Sea pearls. It’s mounted in platinum and includes more than 50 carats of diamonds.
The coordinating earrings feature a round brilliant-cut and marquise-cut diamond cluster with a South Sea cultured pearl drop. They are also mounted in platinum and are claw-set with peg and clip fittings.
Because of Diana’s independence from the royal family following her divorce from Prince Charles, the suite was left without an owner after she died in August 1997 and was not subject to any royal protocol.
Garrard contacted a British lord, who purchased the jewels for his wife. However, she reportedly never wore them because she was too uncomfortable with their connection to the late princess.
Next, the jewels went to Guernsey’s auction house where in December 1999, they sold to Texan businessman James McIngvale for $1 million.
In 2008, the suite changed hands again. The jewels were purchased via private sale by current owner the Ginzburgs, a Ukrainian family who has been deeply affected by the war in their homeland.
“I know their hope is that money from the sale can be used in the rebuilding [of Ukraine],” said Guernsey’s president, Arlan Ettinger.
The pre-auction estimate for the Swan Lake Suite was $5 million to $15 million.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
