Kim Kardashian buys the Attallah Cross pendant worn by Princess Diana

In the last five minutes of the sale of the Royal and Noble collection at Sotheby’s auction house in London on Wednesday, a Kardashian representative successfully outbid others vying for the amethyst cross.

The item sold for more than double its pre-auction estimate, Sotheby’s said.

“This is a bold piece of jewelery in size, color and style that cannot fail to make a vibrant statement, be it faith or fashion or both,” Kristian Spofforth, Sotheby’s London head of jewelery, said in a press release on Wednesday.

“We are delighted that this piece has found a new lease of life in the hands of another world famous name,” added Spofforth.

The pendant was made by Garrard Jewelry in the 1920s and sold to businessman Naim Attallah in the 1980s. Credit: Sotheby’s

Made by Garrard court jewelers in 1920, according to the auction house, the pendant features cross-shaped square-cut amethyst stones, set with circular-cut diamonds in a distinctive floral design.

The piece measures approximately 5.4 inches by 3.7 inches and has a total diamond weight of approximately 5.25 carats.

It was purchased from Garrard in the 1980s by the late businessman Naim Attallah, who lent the item to his friend Princess Diana multiple times to wear at events, according to Sotheby’s.

Princess Diana “had a particular fondness” for the pendant, the auction house said, displaying it while wearing a black and purple Catherine Walker gown at a charity gala in support of Birthright, a charity that works to protect human rights. humans during pregnancy and childbirth, in October 1987.

Princess Diana wore the pendant at a charity gala in October 1987. Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library/Fake Images

“Princess Diana’s confidence grew during the 1980s as she became known for her increasingly daring fashion choices, moving away from the more romantic and subdued style she had hitherto favored,” Sotheby’s said in the statement.

“The fact that he is known to have worn what is now known as the Attallah Cross on a number of occasions, mainly on private occasions, corroborates this development,” he added.

The auction house understands that Diana was the only one to wear the cross, and this is the first time she has appeared in public since her death.