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Lot 219 |THE PROPERTY OF AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTOR
A PAIR OF SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND EARRINGS
Closed15 November 2016
Price Realised
CHF 997,500
More Information
A PAIR OF SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND EARRINGS
Each octagonal step-cut sapphire, weighing approximately 8.52 and 7.32 carats, within a square-cut diamond surround, to the diamond-set double line suspension and surmount, 4.5 cm, mounted in platinum
Accompanied by report no. 87566 dated 14 September 2016 from the SSEF Swiss Gemological Institute stating that the origin of the sapphires is Kashmir, with no indications of heating, and an Appendix letter stating that these sapphires 'exhibit a remarkable size and weight (...) and have been carefully selected for their attractive colour and fine purity, thus resulting in a beautifully matching pair of a sapphire ear-pendants'.
Reports no. 16090076/1 and 2 dated 20 September 2016 from the Gübelin GemLab stating that the origin of the sapphires is Kashmir, with no indications of heating, an Appendix stating that this 'pair of natural Kashmir sapphires (...) possesses a matching colour, combined with a high degree of transparency, and a finely proportioned cut', and a Information sheet on 'Unheated sapphires'.
Each octagonal step-cut sapphire, weighing approximately 8.52 and 7.32 carats, within a square-cut diamond surround, to the diamond-set double line suspension and surmount, 4.5 cm, mounted in platinum
Accompanied by report no. 87566 dated 14 September 2016 from the SSEF Swiss Gemological Institute stating that the origin of the sapphires is Kashmir, with no indications of heating, and an Appendix letter stating that these sapphires 'exhibit a remarkable size and weight (...) and have been carefully selected for their attractive colour and fine purity, thus resulting in a beautifully matching pair of a sapphire ear-pendants'.
Reports no. 16090076/1 and 2 dated 20 September 2016 from the Gübelin GemLab stating that the origin of the sapphires is Kashmir, with no indications of heating, an Appendix stating that this 'pair of natural Kashmir sapphires (...) possesses a matching colour, combined with a high degree of transparency, and a finely proportioned cut', and a Information sheet on 'Unheated sapphires'.
A PAIR OF SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND EARRINGS
Each octagonal step-cut sapphire, weighing approximately 8.52 and 7.32 carats, within a square-cut diamond surround, to the diamond-set double line suspension and surmount, 4.5 cm, mounted in platinum
Accompanied by report no. 87566 dated 14 September 2016 from the SSEF Swiss Gemological Institute stating that the origin of the sapphires is Kashmir, with no indications of heating, and an Appendix letter stating that these sapphires 'exhibit a remarkable size and weight (...) and have been carefully selected for their attractive colour and fine purity, thus resulting in a beautifully matching pair of a sapphire ear-pendants'.
Reports no. 16090076/1 and 2 dated 20 September 2016 from the Gübelin GemLab stating that the origin of the sapphires is Kashmir, with no indications of heating, an Appendix stating that this 'pair of natural Kashmir sapphires (...) possesses a matching colour, combined with a high degree of transparency, and a finely proportioned cut', and a Information sheet on 'Unheated sapphires'.
Each octagonal step-cut sapphire, weighing approximately 8.52 and 7.32 carats, within a square-cut diamond surround, to the diamond-set double line suspension and surmount, 4.5 cm, mounted in platinum
Accompanied by report no. 87566 dated 14 September 2016 from the SSEF Swiss Gemological Institute stating that the origin of the sapphires is Kashmir, with no indications of heating, and an Appendix letter stating that these sapphires 'exhibit a remarkable size and weight (...) and have been carefully selected for their attractive colour and fine purity, thus resulting in a beautifully matching pair of a sapphire ear-pendants'.
Reports no. 16090076/1 and 2 dated 20 September 2016 from the Gübelin GemLab stating that the origin of the sapphires is Kashmir, with no indications of heating, an Appendix stating that this 'pair of natural Kashmir sapphires (...) possesses a matching colour, combined with a high degree of transparency, and a finely proportioned cut', and a Information sheet on 'Unheated sapphires'.
Sapphires have always held great signifiance to the connoisseur of fine gems. To the gemstone collector and the jeweller, the name Kashmir in reference to sapphires has only one meaning: the most magnificent blue colour and the most sought after and valuable of all the shades and tones in which the stone is found. Among true connoisseurs, the Kashmir sapphire has no rival.
The source of these exceptional stones was a remote corner of the northwestern Himalayas where a rock slide in 1881 revealed sapphire-bearing rock. By 1882, the area was crowded with labourers and miners, all looking for the most beautiful sapphires ever to be found. Upon hearing of the superb gems, the Maharajah of Kashmir sent his own regiment to take possession of the mine and all private enterprise was forbidden. Extensive and productive mining went on for the next five years under his control and within a decade the sapphire rush slowed down as the mines offered less gems. By the 1930s, most of the mines were exhausted.
Kashmir sapphires command a much higher price premium than all other sapphires, not only for their rarity, especially those above 10 carats, but also for their rich, cornflower blue or velvety blue colour that have a mesmerizing sleepy quality. A result of numerous inclusions, sometimes known as “silk”, that can refract and diffuse the light entering the sapphire, giving the stone an overall soft appearance.
This extraordinary collection boasts six Kashmir sapphires in total, of various shapes. They all display the distinctive qualities most sought after in a Kashmir sapphire, as well as being of impressive size, weighing between 14.65 and 5.72 carats each.
The source of these exceptional stones was a remote corner of the northwestern Himalayas where a rock slide in 1881 revealed sapphire-bearing rock. By 1882, the area was crowded with labourers and miners, all looking for the most beautiful sapphires ever to be found. Upon hearing of the superb gems, the Maharajah of Kashmir sent his own regiment to take possession of the mine and all private enterprise was forbidden. Extensive and productive mining went on for the next five years under his control and within a decade the sapphire rush slowed down as the mines offered less gems. By the 1930s, most of the mines were exhausted.
Kashmir sapphires command a much higher price premium than all other sapphires, not only for their rarity, especially those above 10 carats, but also for their rich, cornflower blue or velvety blue colour that have a mesmerizing sleepy quality. A result of numerous inclusions, sometimes known as “silk”, that can refract and diffuse the light entering the sapphire, giving the stone an overall soft appearance.
This extraordinary collection boasts six Kashmir sapphires in total, of various shapes. They all display the distinctive qualities most sought after in a Kashmir sapphire, as well as being of impressive size, weighing between 14.65 and 5.72 carats each.