A necklace and matching set of earrings, made for Princess Diana, are set to go under the hammer at auction and are estimated to fetch an astounding $20 million, according to auctioneer Guernsey’s. The necklace dubbed the Swan Lake Suite, consists of 178 diamonds and five South Sea pearls, and was famously worn by Diana to a ballet performance at the Royal Albert Hall in June of 1997.
The current owners of the set, a prominent Ukrainian family, have owned the pieces for over a decade and will be auctioning them off in the US on June 27th. Notably, a portion of the sale proceeds will be dedicated to rebuilding Ukraine.
Crafted by the Crown jeweller, Garrard, the set’s earrings feature two pearls and 36 diamonds, all set in platinum. Though Princess Diana never got to see the earrings herself, as they were completed after her untimely passing in August 1997, her family allowed the necklace and earrings to be sold.
This will mark the fourth time the Swan Lake Suite has been offered for sale, with previous sales in 1999 and 2010 achieving impressive sums of $1.7 million and $11 million, respectively. The upcoming auction is sure to attract attention from collectors and admirers of Princess Diana alike, as the late royal was renowned for her impeccable taste in jewellery, and this set is no exception.
For those interested in bidding on this stunning piece of history, the auction will be held on June 27th at New York City’s Pierre Hotel. The Swan Lake Suite is sure to be one of the most highly coveted items up for grabs.
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