A Look Back at Princess Diana's Stunning Jewels

Getty | Julian Parker

Princess Diana wasn't famous for her love of bling, but from the moment she said "yes" to Prince Charles' proposal, the door was opened to a calendar of jewel-strewn royal events. Over the years, the princess blended tradition with her own inimitable flair, creating some of the most iconic looks of the modern British royal family. We've rounded up some of the most incredible pieces from Diana's jewelry box — most of which she left in her will to William and Harry, specifying that they were to be worn by the princes' future wives. Which, of course, means we could be seeing all of these items worn at some point in the future — whether by the Duchess of Cambridge, or by Meghan Markle . . .

The Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara

The tiara was first owned by the Queen's grandmother, Queen Mary, and is made from 19 pearl drops and assorted diamonds that all came from pieces of jewelry given to her as wedding presents. The Queen inherited the tiara, and only wore it once in public before giving it to Diana as a wedding present. The princess wore it on many occasions, but it was returned to the Queen after her divorce, and the Duchess of Cambridge borrowed it for the first time last year.

The Spencer Family Tiara, Prince of Wales Feather Pendant, and Emir of Qatar Earrings

Diana wore her family's tiara on her wedding day — as her older sisters had at theirs — but although she preferred wearing it to the Cambridge Lover's Knot because it was lighter, she never actually owned it. The piece was originally from the 18th century, but was a mishmash of assorted tiaras that the Spencer family had owned — finalized as the piece Diana wore in the 1980s.

Diana's diamond Prince of Wales feather pendant was a wedding gift form the Queen Mother, and Diana wore it on its own or with an emerald cabochon drop.

Diana owned many pairs of diamond and pearl earrings, but these — a wedding present from the Emir of Qatar — were among those she wore most frequently.

Diamond and South Sea Pearl Earrings

The origin of these impressive earrings is unknown, but they were a favorite of the princess. As with a great deal of royal jewelry, they could be worn in different ways, and Diana sometimes wore them with the acorn-sized pearls attached and other times as (slightly) more pared-down diamond floral clusters.

The Saudi Sapphire Suite and Diana's Engagement Ring

The most impressive set of jewelry Diana owned was given to her as a wedding present by the Saudi royal family. Comprised of the sapphire and diamond necklace, bracelet and, earrings worn here, plus a watch and a ring, the suite was the perfect accompaniment to her new engagement ring.

Diana's 12-carat sapphire engagement ring came from Asprey, and features 14 solitaire diamonds.

Queen Mary's Emerald Choker and the Prince Charles Emerald Earrings

The Art Deco choker was made for the Queen's grandmother and inherited by the Queen, who gave it as a wedding present to Diana. The princess wore it as a choker on many occasions, as well as famously as a headband on a state visit to Australia.

Prince Charles gifted Diana with matching emerald earrings for her 22nd birthday.

Aquamarine Bracelet and Ring

The five-strand pearl bracelet, set with a large aquamarine was given to Diana in her early days as a princess, and she wore it many times in the '80s, as well as after her divorce.

The matching emerald-cut aquamarine ring, surrounded by diamonds was a later addition to the princess' collection. She commissioned the piece herself by Asprey in 1997.

Sapphire Headband and Earrings

Of the Saudi sapphires Diana was given as a wedding present, she had the large sapphire of the ring turned into the centerpiece of this choker, which she wore in the traditional manner, as well as with her signature flair as a headband. The diamond-surrounded sapphires of the watch strap were turned into two pairs of earrings — one of which was given as a gift from Prince William to Kate Middleton around the time of their engagement and remodeled to suit the duchess' tastes.

Pearl and Sapphire Choker

One of Diana's most wow-pieces was this iconic sapphire, diamond, and pearl choker. The whopping sapphire is surrounded by two rows of diamonds and was originally a brooch given to Diana by the Queen Mother as a wedding present. The princess wore it several times as it was intended before having it transformed into the centerpiece of a seven-strand pearl choker.

Aquamarine and Diamond Earrings

When Charles and Diana attended the Cannes film festival in 1987, all eyes were on the princess' jaw-dropping sparklers — whopping pear-shaped aquamarines, surrounded by diamonds and suspended from a diamond flower cluster.

The Oman Diamond Suite

Another gift for the princess from a Middle Eastern royal family was a geometric diamond necklace, earrings, and bracelet. The set was given to her by the Sultan of Oman during a visit to the country in 1986.

Pearl, Sapphire, and Ruby Earrings

These unusual earrings were made of a pearl and a ruby on one side and a pearl and a sapphire on the other. Seen here on a state visit to Korea in 1992.

Pearl, Diamond, and Ruby Choker

Diana loved pearls and she loved chokers, and she wore this piece — made up of over 900 pearls interspersed with rows of diamonds and rubies — on many occasions.

The Swan Lake Suite

The necklace is one of the most famous pieces that the princess owned, because she wore it on her last public engagement before she died. Diana commissioned Garrard to create her a necklace made up of diamonds and five South Sea pearls, and she wore it to a performance of Swan Lake before returning it to the jeweler for adjustments. A pair of matching earrings were also commissioned, but completed after the princess died. She wore the necklace to the ballet with the diamond part of her diamond and South Sea pearl earrings.

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