THE ATTALLAH CROSS: ONE JEWEL, TWO ICONS

An audacious jewel with history, worn by two era-defining women, symbolizing the transformation of style and the power of personal statement.

Few accessories capture a shift in eras as boldly as the amethyst and diamond cross worn by Princess Diana of Wales in October 1987. Daring, dazzling, and steeped in exclusivity, this piece has become a symbol of the moment Diana, the dreamy fairytale princess, transformed into a woman of bold and confident style. Now, the Attallah Cross embarks on a new and provocative chapter in the hands of an equally audacious owner: Kim Kardashian.

The striking cross was a special commission, created in the 1920s by London jeweler Garrard, one of the princess’s favorites and also responsible for her iconic engagement ring and for adapting the Spencer Tiara for the family. Set with 11 square-cut amethysts and round diamonds totaling about 5.2 carats, the 136 x 95 mm crucifix features floral details and an aura of grandeur. Little is known about its origin, but it is believed to be a replica of a historic piece.

The cross belonged to Naim Attallah, a businessman, publisher, and former CEO of Asprey & Garrard. According to his son Ramsay, Naim was a close friend of Diana and lent it to her on several occasions. “As a child, we always had it on the table at Christmas lunch, but no one other than Diana ever wore it, and it hasn’t been seen in public since her death,” Ramsay says.

Diana wore it at the height of her style transformation. It was at a charity gala in London for Birthright, the organization she supported as a patron. The princess paired the piece with a long pearl necklace and a spectacular burgundy and black velvet gown in Elizabethan style, designed by her favorite couturier, Catherine Walker. According to jewelry historian Vivienne Becker, this choice "showed how Princess Diana wore her jewelry with a mix of reverence and joy, and a clear nod to fashion."

The cross symbolized Diana’s increasingly confident and nonconformist style, a step beyond the delicate and romantic dresses of her earlier years. As Kristian Spofforth, Head of Jewellery at Sotheby’s London, stated, the pendant “symbolizes the princess’s growing confidence in her sartorial and jewelry choices at that particular moment in her life.” Its size and impact, unusually worn on a long chain, even suggested the 1980s Madonna style and star power.

This exceptional piece is one of the few jewels owned by Diana that has been auctioned since her death, making it extremely rare and with unmatched provenance. Kim Kardashian’s purchase of the cross surprised many, but for Ramsay Attallah, it’s a fitting outcome. “Princess Diana was a great jewelry collector, and while many thought the cross should return to her family, its provenance and history also deserved a new home.” For her part, Molesworth, an expert in collecting, considers Kardashian a fitting owner, as she is “a self-made woman buying for herself: a strong signal of class and gender equality in the world of commercial collecting.”

Thus, the Attallah Cross continues its journey, proving that its legacy endures and its boldness is timeless.