Great Jewelry Collectors: Diana, Princess of Wales

She needs no introduction but just in case you’re reading this fifty years after publication, we’ll clue you in. Diana, Princess of Wales was an amazing woman who gone way too soon. A gentle soul who chose to hold hands with the sick and stand side by side with the poor, she had a jewelry collection that rivaled her true beauty. There are many pieces we could cover, but we’ll hit what we think are the highlights here. And we’ll start with a family piece, The Spencer Tiara. She chose it to wear in her wedding over the Cambridge Lover’s Knot, which had been offered by the Queen. The tiara is still in the family, belonging to her brother, the current Earl Spencer.

We assume this triple strand of pearls may have been one of the first, if no THE first piece of important jewelry that Diana was ever given. Her family gave her the three-strand necklace for her 18th birthday, just as her sisters had each received matching necklaces on their 18th birthdays, as well.

Perhaps Diana was a fan of sapphires. Or maybe it really was all due to her now famous engagement ring, but as a wedding present, the Saudi Crown Prince Fahd gifted her quite the parure. The set featured a sapphire and diamond necklace, bracelet, ring, earrings and watch.

Diana took the watch and ring from the Saudi set and had them crafted into this choker, which she wore on occasion as a headband. As she settled into her role as Princess, she seemingly became more comfortable with her own fashion sense. Her style became her own and then all of ours, as women rushed to copy her.

The sapphire choker wouldn’t be the only one she’d wear as a headband. It was the 80s after all, and if it was good enough for Olivia Newton John, it was good enough for the princess. This emerald choker, created in 1911, had belonged to Queen Mary and contained several gems from the massive collection of Cambridge Emeralds. Diana wore it often, although it was actually on loan from the Queen. Upon Diana’s death, this piece was returned to the Queen and could now be loaned out to either of Diana’s daughters-in-law (hint hint).

Diana’s sapphire engagement ring wasn’t her only stunner. After her divorce from Prince Charles, she was often seen wearing this Aquamarine ring with its matching bracelet. The ring now famously belongs to the Duchess of Sussex, as it was given to her by Harry upon their wedding.

Yet another sapphire stunner, this brooch turned necklace was also a gift. The Queen Mother had given Diana the brooch as a wedding present and Diana wore it as such for a few years. But eventually she put her own spin on it, having it turned into a choker featuring seven strands of pearls. Apparently she was allowed to keep the piece, as she was spotted wearing it several times after the divorce.

Diana did love pearls and thick eleven strand choker is made using over 900 pearls with columns of diamonds and rubies throughout. Yet another go-to piece for her, she was often seen wearing it to the theater and film premiers.

Diana’s South Sea Pearl drops were yet another go-to and were worn interchangeably with several different settings. Their size, color and quality were exceptional and we’d love to see one of her sons’ wives wearing them one day.

In one of her last public appearances before her death, Diana attended a performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall in London wearing this pearl necklace. She’d had the necklace made and it was actually part of a set, with a matching pair of earrings still under construction. She died before they were completed. These were not a part of her royal jewels and therefore didn’t have to be returned. They were sold at auction after her death and were back up for auction again in 2017 with a suggested price tag of $12 million.

We miss her and wonder how she would be with her grandchildren and what we have all missed out on with her absence. It’s nice to think about her as we scroll through the photographs. Which piece out of her collection is your favorite? Tell us and share why in the comments below.