Princess Diana’s most iconic jewellery moments

By Joshua Hendren

The late Diana, Princess of Wales left a jewellery legacy like no other. Here, we take a look at some of her most memorable pieces, from diamond-dusted earrings and sentimental pearls to Spencer family heirlooms.

The Cocoon Chain

This punkish necklace is an underrated gem in Diana’s jewellery box. Crafted in yellow gold, the oversized cocoon chain is complete with chunky hardware detailing.

The Initial Necklace

A blushing Lady Diana Spencer, at the time a nursery school assistant at the Pimlico school dating the heir to the throne, wears a yellow gold chain with a D pendant hanging off of it. The origin of the gold initial is unknown.

The Singular Strand of Pearls

Pearls were a timeless addition of Diana’s jewellery rotation. Here, a then-Lady Diana Spencer patrols the streets of southwest London in a singular strand of the milky gemstone.

The Ruby and Diamond Links

At the premiere of James Bond’s For Your Eyes Only at the Odeon Leicester Square cinema in 1981, Lady Diana sparkled in this ruby and diamond link necklace.

The Garrard Engagement Ring

Arguably her most iconic jewel, Princess Diana’s white gold engagement ring was crafted by royal jeweller Garrard with a halo of 14 solitaire diamonds surrounding a 12 carat oval Ceylon sapphire.

The Floral Pearl Choker

This glittering three-strand pearl choker with a flower-shaped clasp was an 18th birthday gift from her family and one of Diana’s most beloved pieces.

The Cascading Pearls

And, of course, we couldn’t forget one of Diana’s most unforgettable jewellery statements when she elevated her plum crushed velvet gown by Catherine Walker with a knotted clutch of cascading pearls that hung down the contours of her back.

The Sapphire and Diamond Headband

This stylish midnight-blue velvet choker, worn here at a dinner hosted by Emperor Hirohito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in 1986, is cleverly constructed from parts of a suite given as a wedding present from the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. An oval sapphire from the ring was set in the diamond sunray frame of the watch and became the centrepiece of the necklace, while tiny diamonds, three deep, frame the perimeter.

The Spencer Tiara

The Spencer tiara has been in the possession of Diana’s family for nearly a century. Spun in silver and gold, the piece features sculptural flowers and foliage dusted with diamonds. Upon her death in 1997, the tiara passed to the late princess’ brother, Earl Spencer.

The Lover’s Knot Tiara

Another sparkly pearl heirloom, this magnificent topper is the Lover’s Knot tiara, designed by the crown jeweller Garrard in 1914 for Queen Mary.  It consists of diamonds and a collection of 19 suspended teardrop pearls, all set in silver and gold. It was later passed down to Queen Elizabeth II, who loaned the tiara to Princess Diana on at least five known occasions.

The Pearl and Sapphire Choker

One of Diana’s favourite jewels was this layered pearl choker with a giant sapphire surrounded by diamonds as its centrepiece. The piece didn’t start off as a necklace, however, but as a brooch, a wedding gift from her grandmother-in-law, the Queen Mother, which she quickly had mounted onto seven pearly strands.

The Eleven-Strand Pearl Necklace

Princess Diana would often favour this spectacular design, made up of over 900 pearls with connecting columns of diamonds and rubies, for film premieres and events. Talk about a showstopper.

The Pearl, Ruby and Sapphire Earrings

We adore the artful edge to these statement earrings, which Diana designed herself using various pieces of her jewellery. One earring features a hanging pearl and an oval ruby, while the other teams a pearl with a large blue sapphire.

The Pearl Showstopper

Pearls upon pearls! This stacked beauty was designed using one of Diana’s eight-strand chokers and a bigger pearl-drop necklace placed underneath.

The Diamond and Pearl Drops

Composed of a white diamond floral cluster and a pear-shaped pearl drop, these earrings were a wedding gift to the Princess from the Emir of Qatar, pictured here during a private view at Christie’s, just two months before her tragic death.

The Oversized Gold Hoops

Princess Diana’s earring game was unrivalled. Case in point: this supersized take on the classic hoop imagined in flattering yellow gold.

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