In June 1997, Princess Diana attended the British National Ballet’s Swan Lake gala performance. It was one of her last public appearances. She wore a Jacques Azagury minidress and Jimmy Choo pumps, but the highlight of her outfit was a custom-made South Sea pearl necklace by Garrard. The necklace and matching earrings were based on Princess Diana’s designs. After wearing the necklace, it was returned to Garrard to finish the earrings, but they were not completed before her untimely passing.
The necklace and earrings, known as the “Swan Lake Suite,” will be auctioned by Guernsey’s next month. Guernsey president Arlan Ettinger said that designing the necklace was a statement for Diana as she grew into her own. The necklace has 178 diamonds and five South Sea pearls, while the earrings have two matching cultured pearls and six diamonds. According to the auction house, these may be the only substantial jewels worn by Diana that will ever be sold.
The Swan Lake Suite is currently owned by Mark Ginzburg, a Ukrainian real estate developer. He said that the jewels were meant to be iconic and treasured, not worn. The set will be auctioned by Guernsey’s on June 27 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.