The Private Collection of A Continental Lady 

A RETRO KASHMIR SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING, CIRCA 1940

 * No internet bidding for this lot

Of tank design, centring a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing...

The Private Collection of A Continental Lady 

A RETRO KASHMIR SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING, CIRCA 1940

 * No internet bidding for this lot

Of tank design, centring a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 6.22cts, between old brilliant and tapered baguette-cut diamond shoulders, and between baguette-cut diamond borders, mounted in 18K gold, diamonds approximately 2.00cts total, ring size P

 

Accompanied by a report from the SSEF laboratory in Switzerland, stating that the sapphire weighing 6.227cts is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating. Report number 146156, dated April 24th 2025.

Accompanied by a report from GCS laboratory in London, stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating. Report number 5785-2140, dated April 17th 2025.

 

 

* This collection starts on lot 17 & ends on lot 24.

 

Kashmir Sapphires

A brief look into the history of these sapphires can help illustrate their value. It all began with a natural occurrence in 1880 in the Kashmir region on the Indian subcontinent. A landslide atop the Himalayas revealed unusual type of rocks under the top layers of soil. These rocks were almost completely bare except for the occasional protruding blue stones. It took many years for the local people of the region
to realise that the stones were in fact sapphires.

Once news of the discovery reached the Maha rajah, he immediately sent a regiment of guards to protect the mine, along with miners to dig out more of the sapphires. The years between 1882 and 1887, marked an extremely productive period for the mine. The mine revealed some very impressive gems which were as large as 5×3 inches.

Summers in the region were extremely hot, and the miners had to work in these conditions with little to no rest. By the end of 1887, the resources of the mine had been exhausted. Hungry for more, the Maharajah sought the assistance of the British, who by then had ruled in India for more than a decade. With the assistance of British geologists, a new mine was found in the valley below. However, this was also quickly depleted, and to this day, no other deposits have been found in the region. Kashmir sapphires command a high price because they contain a top-quality specimen. You may come across other blue sapphires, Burmese or Ceylonese, but only those from Kashmir possess a distinctive tint. Experts call it blue velvet.

 

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