Kim Kardashian turned heads at the glitzy 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 2 wearing a plunging, form-fitting white Gucci gown and the Attallah Cross pendant that was famously worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The sizeable amethyst-and-diamond pendant is one of the most memorable pieces of jewellery worn by the Princess of Wales and hadn’t been seen in public for quite some time.
Read on to learn more about the iconic Attallah Cross, its history, and how Kardashian ended up wearing the historical pendant to the fashionable gala.
The Attallah Cross was created in the 1920s
The origin of the amethyst and diamond-encrusted necklace dates back to the 1920s, when it was created by the London-based court jeweler Garrard. Garrard was founded in London in 1735 by George Wickes and through the years has crafted some of the most famous jewels in history. Garrard has long been a royal favourite in the UK, and they have played a significant role in modern royal history, most significally as the first official Crown Jewellers – They were first appointed the privilege by Queen Victoria in 1843.
The oversized cross pendant is said to have been a special commission, and its design was possibly based on a historical piece from the Renaissance era. It features square-cut amethyst stones in the shape of a cross, decorated with circular-cut diamonds in a fleurée style, which is a distinct flowery design. The piece is about 5.4 inches by 3.7 inches in size, and has a total diamond weight of approximately 5.25 carats.
It wasn’t originally called the Attallah Cross. It received that moniker in the late 1980s after it was purchased by the late businessman named Naim Attallah, who purchased it directly from Garrard.
Princess Diana made a big statement at the Birthright charity ball
The Attallah Cross is most closely associated with Diana, Princess of Wales, but she didn’t actually own it. Attallah reportedly loaned the item to his friend, Diana, who “had a particular fondness” for the pendant.
Even though Attallah loaned the cross pendant to Diana on multiple occasions, she was only photographed wearing it once on October, 27 1987 at a gala in support of Birthright, a charity working to protect human rights during pregnancy and childbirth. That night Diana famously showcased the dramatic pendant while wearing a black-and-purple Elizabethan-style dress, complete with high neck ruff, that was designed by Catherine Walker, one of her favourite designers.
It is thought that she chose to wear the cross attached to her own long pearl necklace. “It demonstrated how Princess Diana wore her jewellery with a mix of reverence and playfulness, and more than a nod to fashion as we saw in her mischievous way of wearing both precious and costume jewellery,” said author and jewellery historian Vivienne Becker. “The size and impact of this cross, worn unusually on a long necklace, also hints at Madonna’s 1980s style, and at star quality. Added to this, the amethysts make reference to royalty – amethysts were traditionally associated with both clergy and with royalty.”
Of course, the dramatic look was a departure from what Diana traditionally wore and pictures of the Princess of Wales at the charity ball accompanied headlines around the world in the days following the event.
“Few people could carry this piece off but Diana really could,” Ramsay Attallah once said about the statement crucifix that was owned by his father at the time. “When I was growing up, we’d always have it on the table for Christmas lunch, but it was never worn by anyone other than Diana and it hasn’t been seen in public since she died.”
The Attallah Cross goes to auction
Princess Diana’s look at the London charity gala in 1987 is remembered as one of her bolder and more playful sartorial choices, which is probably why the Attallah Cross pendant received so much attention when it was announced that the elaborate gold, silver, amethyst and diamond pendant would be sold at auction at Sotheby’s London as part of its Royal and Noble sale. The 2023 sale was one of the first time that jewels worn by the princess had ever been sold at action.
“It’s a standout piece in its own right, but with Princess Diana having worn it, it truly becomes an iconic piece of jewellery,” says Kristian Spofforth, head of jewellery at Sotheby’s in London.
Bidding for the piece opened on January, 6, 2023 with a guide price of £80,000 to £120,000. But Spofforth suspected, given its provenance, it could potentially fetch far more. “Twenty-five years after her death, people still talk about Princess Diana all the time.”
On Wednesday January 18, 2023, in the last five minutes of the Royal and Noble collection sale, a representative for Kim Kardashian successfully outbid others vying for the Attallah Cross pendant. Kardashian acquired the piece for £163,800 (about $200,000 USD), more than double its pre-auction estimate.
“This is a bold piece of jewellery by its size, colour and style which cannot fail to make a vibrant statement, whether it be of faith or fashion – or indeed both,” Spofforth said in a press release following the auction. “We are delighted that this piece has found a new lease of life within the hands of another globally famous name.”
Kim Kardashian wears the cross pendant to the LACMA Art + Film Gala
After the high profile auction the cross pendant remained hidden away… until this past weekend when Kardashian made a bold fashion statement pairing the historical pendant with a plunging white custom-made Gucci gown and cream cape when she stepped out at the LACMA Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Kardashian wore the royal pendant on a short shorter pearl chain, which attached to a pearl and silver choker, with another pearl necklace layered beneath. The pearls hearken back to Diana’s original look.
As one would expect, strong reactions followed with many on social media calling Kardashian’s look “vulgar” and “tone deaf,” angry that she had opted to pair the beloved piece with such a revealing dress.
Love Kardashian’s look or not…Interestingly, Kardashian and Princess Diana are now the only two women to ever be photographed wearing the striking Attallah Cross pendant. And they certainly both made a statement while doing so.
Want more? Read the about the history of the “Revenge Dress” worn by Diana, Princess of Wales or the history of Princess Diana’s Wedding Dress.
