After nearly breaking the internet last year when she borrowed one of Marilyn Monroe’s famous dresses for the Met Gala (and rapidly lost weight to fit into it), Kim Kardashian is making headlines for bringing another iconic piece of the fashion history into her orbit — the Kardashians star purchased a stunning amethyst and diamond cross that was previously worn by Princess Diana.
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As NBC News reports, Sotheby’s London announced on Jan. 18. that Kim Kardashian bought the Attallah Cross for $197,453. The piece features a cross pendant made from purple square-cut amethysts, surrounded with glittering diamonds and hung from a pearl necklace.
As images published in Grazia showcase, Princess Diana was photographed wearing the necklace, which she borrowed, at a charity gala in 1987. The Attallah Cross was created in the 1920s by UK jeweller Garrard (the same jeweler who created Princess Diana’s engagement ring). While the late princess was said to have borrowed the cross many times, Grazia reports that it was never worn by anyone other than her after her death, and she was the only person to ever wear it in public.
Related: Kate Middleton wore a tiara for the first time in years — and it’s a sweet nod to Princess Diana.
NBC News notes that, while there were four bidders vying for the piece, Kardashian was the ultimate victor, purchasing the cross at more than double the pre-auction estimate.
Online, Kardashian has faced criticism for the purchase — especially in light of her controversial public wearing of Marilyn Monroe’s dress last year. As ET Canada reports, Twitter users immediately began trolling the star for the purchase, with one user writing, “She’s really trying to traumatize the ghosts of iconic women.”
