Kim Kardashian drops nearly US$200,000 to become the new owner of Princess Diana's necklace

Kim Kardashian has just added one very impressive piece of high-end jewellery to her collection ...

The reality star has become the new owner of the late Princess Diana's iconic amethyst-diamond pendant for a whopping US$197,453 (NZ$304,113).

The Attallah Cross, which was designed by the luxury British jeweller Garrard, was a favourite of the People's Princess.

The cross, which has square-cut amethysts and is accented by circular-cut diamonds, has a total diamond weight of approximately 5.25 carats.

Head of jewellery at Sotheby's London, Kristian Spofforth said: "Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess Diana very rarely comes on to the market, especially a piece such as the Attallah cross, which is so colourful, bold and distinctive." 

The auction house confirmed the sale, revealing that four bidders competed for the item in the last five minutes of the sale, with the reality star ultimately winning out.

It is reported that Kardashian purchased the pendant for more than double its pre-auction estimate.