Princess Diana’s Most Priceless Jewels That Still Wow Us Today

Princess Diana's love for out-of-the-world jewelry pieces was as legendary as her kindness and elegance. Admired for her discerning eye and contemporary chic, Diana raised Princess Diana jewelry to symbolic iconic royal jewels, fusing tradition with daring innovation.

As soon as she emerged onto the royal platform, her collection, which varied from tiaras and chokers to engagement rings and custom-made suites, surrounded the world with attention. These precious royal jewels are still dazzling us today, worn by her sons' fiancées or preserved as royal jewels. Let's get into the ten most memorable jewels that she wore.

1. Sapphire Engagement Ring

Diana's engagement ring: a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 sparkling diamonds, set in 18-karat white gold by Garrard. Selected out of twelve possibilities in 1981, the ring came to be associated with her romance and legacy. It was worn every day, from the engagement announcements through to endless red-carpet occasions, and was passed down to Kate Middleton in 2010.

2. Spencer Tiara

A family keepsake designed in the 1930s by Garrard, out of silver and gold with scrolling floral details. It became iconic while she wore it for her wedding in July 1981 with her Emanuel dress, and subsequently at numerous formal state events.

3. Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara (Princess Diana Tiara)

Borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II, this 1914 Garrard piece featuring diamond bows and pearl drops was most famous on Diana, even though it caused her headaches because of its weight. It was worn memorably in Hong Kong (1989) and a 1990 Vogue cover shoot and is still a treasured family heirloom.

4. Saudi Sapphire Suite & Velvet Choker

Given to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia by Diana, this Asprey ensemble consisted of a sapphire ring, necklace, watch, and earrings. Diana artfully reimagined pieces, re-styling the watch and ring into a show-stopping velvet-backed sapphire choker or even headband, famously in Tokyo (1986) and Australia (1985).

5. Seven-Strand Pearl & Sapphire Choker

An elegant transformation of Queen Mother's sapphire brooch into a seven-row pearl choker with central sapphire clasp. Diana wore it for her historic 1985 White House dance with Travolta and with her 1994 "revenge dress".

6. Swan Lake Necklace & Earrings

For her last public appearance (June 3, 1997, Royal Albert Hall), she wore a necklace of a diamond and South Sea pearl with 178 diamonds and five pearls, which was created by Garrard in consultation with Diana herself. The earrings to match were ordered but completed after her death.

7. 11-Strand Pearl, Diamond & Ruby Choker

Princess Diana shone in a 1996 Chicago gala wearing this gorgeous choker, made up of more than 900 cultured pearls and punctuated by diamond and ruby spacers. Worth around £200,000, the item was bespoke to suit her fashion-forward sense of style. It showcased her talent for marrying royal sophistication with modern chic to perfection and made a memorable impact on jewelry enthusiasts and royal observers alike.

8. Asprey Aquamarine Ring & Matching Bracelet/Earrings

After her divorce, Diana ordered a stunning 30-carat emerald-cut aquamarine ring from Asprey to match a coordinating bracelet and earrings. She first wore the vibrant set in 1997, which was famously spotted at parties such as Cannes. The ring's icy blue color was a daring, contemporary move that echoed Diana's newfound independence. Meghan Markle paid tribute by wearing the ring to her wedding reception in 2018, extending its narrative.

9. Cartier Tank Watch

Amongst Diana's preferred accessories were her Cartier Tank watch set. She had both a traditional steel Tank Louis and the gold Tank Française, the latter as a gift from her father. Both watches represented her elegant, understated style and were worn on various informal and formal events. Prince William subsequently selected the gold Cartier as a keepsake of his mother—holding her ageless elegance close to heart.

10. Delhi Durbar Emerald Choker

Forming part of Queen Mary's 1911 Delhi Durbar parure originally, this extravagant emerald and diamond choker was lent to Diana. She became famous for wearing it on her head as a headband for a 1985 Melbourne gala, with an off-the-shoulder evening gown. The daring styling was one of her most celebrated fashion moves, revealing her bold sense of how to reinterpret classic royal jewels in fresh, new manners.

Why These Jewels Still Wow Us

Every one of Diana's classic royal jewels was more than a mere accessory, they were deliberately selected symbols of identity, of love, of courage, of personal style. Whatever she did, whether she reused heirlooms or embraced new commissions, she infused every piece with emotion and personality. Most survive to this day, either on Catherine or Meghan, or in the royal collection, as priceless royal jewelry records of her legacy.

Final Thoughts

Diana's daring mix of regal heritage and bold reinterpretation made simple Princess Diana jewelry come to life as extraordinary icons. From coronation night tiaras twinkling like fireworks to game-changing chokers that adorned diamond-encrusted gowns, these jewels still astound us today, a radiant testament to a princess who redefined elegance.

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