Kashmir stone in original setting
Relatively few Kashmir sapphires retain their original settings. Most have been remounted as conventional rings. This rare survivor, with a gemmological report stating that the sapphire of 2.81ct is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heat treatment, came for sale at Elmwood’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Notting Hill, London on August 5.
In a late Victorian sweetheart ring setting with three diamonds to a coronet and a red enamelled heart, it found admirers in the UK, Europe and the US before selling to a lady in Europe at £22,000.
A Kashmir sapphire ring, £141,000 at Fellows.
This Kashmir sapphire ring, above, with a central stone of 11.9ct in a rose cut diamond surround, took £141,000 from an online buyer at Fellows (23/15% buyer’s premium) in Birmingham on July 29.
It had an estimate of £100,000-150,000 and came with gemmological reports verifying its origin.
The August 26 Jewellery, Silver and Watches sale at Cheffins (24.5% buyer’s premium) in Cambridge included this Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring set (above) with a central cushion shaped bright purplish blue sapphire of 2.70ct, surrounded by a border of 24 brilliant cut diamonds. It sold for £9500 against an estimate of £800- 1200 to a UK trade buyer.
This late 19th century ring, above, set with an oval-shaped sapphire weighing approximately 6.20ct was sold by Dix Noonan Webb (24% buyer’s premium) on September 14 accompanied by a report stating that the sapphire is of Burmese origin. Set in gold with a rose cut diamond to each claw, it was estimated at £5000-6000 and sold at £14,000.
A Victorian sapphire and diamond brooch, £13,500 at Dawsons.
A fine Victorian sapphire and diamond brooch sold for £13,500 at Dawsons (23% buyer’s premium) in Maidenhead on July 22.
Victorian sapphire and diamond brooch pendant, £22,000 at Woolley & Wallis.
This Victorian sapphire and diamond brooch pendant is centred with a cushion-shaped natural sapphire weighing 12.33cts mined in Sri Lanka. Estimated at £10,000-15,000, it sold for £22,000 at Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) on July 15.
