Pendants Inspired By Princess Diana’s (Now Kim Kardashian’s) Cross

By Annie Davidson Watson | January 23, 2023

It looks like Kim Kardashian has snagged yet another globally prized possession to add to her collection of renowned artifacts: the Attallah cross pendant worn by Princess Diana at many outings throughout the 1980s, which was loaned to her by her friend British businessman Naim Attallah. Kardashian purchased the piece virtually during Sotheby’s Royal & Noble auction last week in London for $197,453 (greater than the $98,000–$143,000 presale estimate).

The auction house’s head of jewelry, Kristian Spofforth, said in a statement: “We are delighted that this piece has found a new lease of life within the hands of another globally famous name.” But like most things Kardashian, the sale is not without public outcry—especially on the heels of last year’s Marilyn Monroe gown controversy and her 2019 purchases of Michael Jackson’s jacket (the one he wore to Elizabeth Taylor’s 1997 birthday party) and white hat (the one from the “Smooth Criminal” music video) for her daughter.

Regardless of your personal feelings toward the Kardashian klan or otherwise, the sale presents an opportunity to take an even closer look not only at Princess Diana’s life (although there’s been plenty of that in the media as of late) but also what this unique 1920s Garrard design, particularly the style and stone combination, represents. A historic symbol of reverence, the sheer size of the cross also lends it a celebrity quality, similar to that of Madonna during the time. That, combined with amethyst, a stone associated with royalty, makes this a power piece—so it might make sense that someone as well-known as Kim Kardashian now owns it.

Inspired by the Attallah cross, we’ve rounded up a few amethyst cross pendants of a similar time period so that you, too, can tap into the power of the piece.