The set of jewelry associated with Princess Diana, worn just before the end of her life, is slated for auction by Guernsey’s. The news has been picked up by WWD, among others.
The centerpiece is the necklace Diana wore during a gala visit to the Swan Lake ballet at Royal Albert Hall in London on June 3, 1997. Created by Garrard, the British jeweler that worked from a sketch attributed to Princess Diana, the necklace combined 178 diamonds with seven identical 12 mm South Sea pearls, yielding a total weight of 51 carats. After the release of this accessory, the necklace was returned to Garrard so the house’s jewelers could fashion a matching pair of earrings. By the time the kit was finished, Diana, Princess of Wales, had died in a car accident.
Speaking with WWD, Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey’s, explained that most of the jewelry Diana wore was lent by the queen or belonged to the crown. He noted that while she wore many pieces, they typically did not belong to her personally.
According to Ettinger, the pearl and diamond ensemble later became known as the Swan Lake Suite, and there is speculation that it might have been a gift to Diana from Dodi Fayed, the partner associated with her at the time.
In related coverage from the trade, Christie’s has previously brought jewelry linked to other famous figures to sale, illustrating how the market for royal and high-profile pieces remains strong for collectors and investors alike (citation attribution: WWD, Guernsey’s, and Christie’s coverage).