How Much Is Princess Diana's Jewelry Worth? Real Sale Prices and Estimates

Princess Diana's jewellery is one of the few royal collections with real prices attached, because some of it has actually been sold. Her amethyst-and-diamond Attallah cross went to Kim Kardashian at Sotheby's in 2023 for $197,453, double the estimate. Her Swan Lake pearl-and-diamond suite was valued at $3 to $5 million and sold privately to a museum. The famous sapphire engagement ring, now worn by the Princess of Wales, is estimated at around $400,000, up from $60,000 when it was bought in 1981. Here's what each well-known piece is worth, where it is, and what the sales tell you about how fame changes a price.

The pieces, and what they're worth

The sapphire engagement ring. A 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds, chosen by Diana from the Garrard catalogue in 1981 for about £28,000 (around $60,000). It passed to Prince William and he gave it to Kate Middleton in 2010. Estimates today sit around $400,000, though as the most famous engagement ring in the world it would fetch far more if it ever sold, which it won't.

The Attallah Cross. An amethyst and diamond pendant by Garrard, made in the 1920s and lent to Diana by the businessman Naim Attallah, who she wore it for in 1987. It stayed in his family until Sotheby's sold it in January 2023, where Kim Kardashian bought it for £163,800, about $197,453. The pre-sale estimate was £80,000 to £120,000. The extra came from Diana's name.

The Swan Lake suite. A diamond and South Sea pearl necklace and matching earrings by Garrard, worn by Diana to a performance of Swan Lake in 1997, weeks before she died. The necklace was sold after her death and has changed hands since; in 2023 it was valued at $3 to $5 million and sold privately to an unnamed museum.

The Saudi sapphire suite. A wedding gift from the Saudi royal family: a sapphire and diamond necklace, earrings, bracelet, ring and watch by Asprey. Diana famously had the pendant reset as the centre of a pearl choker. The suite is estimated at around $20 million and remains with the family.

The Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara. The diamond and pearl tiara Diana wore most often. It was never hers; it belongs to the Royal Collection and is now worn by the Princess of Wales. No price, and no sale.

Pieces that went to Meghan Markle. A gold Cartier Tank watch (the model retails above $22,000; Diana's would be worth considerably more), a diamond tennis bracelet of around $150,000, and an aquamarine cocktail ring of around $90,000, which Meghan wore at her wedding reception. Two diamonds from one of Diana's brooches were set into Meghan's engagement ring.

The Delhi Durbar emerald choker. An Art Deco emerald and diamond choker from the Royal Collection, which Diana memorably wore as a headband in 1985. Kate has worn it since. No price.

What the sales show

The Attallah cross is the useful example. As a 1920s amethyst and diamond pendant with no royal connection, it would have been an $80,000 to $150,000 piece. With Diana's name attached it sold for nearly $200,000, and the buyer was a celebrity who wanted the story as much as the stones. That's a 50% premium for provenance on a piece Diana merely borrowed. For a piece she owned and wore for years, the premium would be far larger, which is why the engagement ring's "$400,000" estimate is really a floor.

The pattern applies far beyond royalty. A watch worn by Paul Newman, a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe, a guitar played by Kurt Cobain: the object is ordinary and the price isn't. For anything with a claimed celebrity connection, the paperwork is the value. Without a documented chain of ownership, the story is worth nothing and the piece is worth its parts.

What this means for your jewellery

For almost everyone, the resale value of jewellery is the metal plus the stones, and it's lower than what was paid. Diamonds in particular resell for a fraction of retail; lab-grown ones for very little, as our guide on lab-grown diamond resale value explains. The provenance premium only exists when the provenance is famous and proven.

If you have a piece you think might be worth something, the Valued app will identify it from a photo and give you a starting estimate. Our guide to finding out what an antique is worth explains how to check that against real sales. And if the piece you're wondering about is the purple Beanie Baby, we've covered that too: Princess Diana Beanie Baby value.

Common questions

How much is Princess Diana's engagement ring worth?

Estimates sit around $400,000 for the 12-carat Ceylon sapphire ring, which cost about $60,000 in 1981. It's now worn by the Princess of Wales and will never be sold, so its real value is unknowable.

How much did Kim Kardashian pay for Princess Diana's necklace?

She paid £163,800, about $197,453, for the Attallah cross at Sotheby's in January 2023. The estimate had been £80,000 to £120,000.

Who has Princess Diana's jewellery now?

Most of it passed to Prince William and Prince Harry. Kate wears the engagement ring and has worn several of Diana's pieces; Meghan received the Cartier watch, a tennis bracelet and the aquamarine ring. Pieces Diana borrowed, like the Lover's Knot tiara, stayed with the Royal Collection.

What is the most valuable piece of Princess Diana's jewellery?

By estimate, the Saudi sapphire suite at around $20 million. By actual sale, the Swan Lake suite at $3 to $5 million.