SRINAGAR: After a rare massive Kashmir sapphire was put up for auction, was sold at $3.88 million (₹28,47,04,506) in an auction at Geneva.
Maureen Constance Guinness, a marchioness of the Anglo-Irish brewing family who died in 1998, had the 55.19 carat gem in her set.
It was sold alongside another Kashmir sapphire weighing 25.97 carats, which is extremely rare.
Benoit Repellin, head of magnificent jewels sales at Sotheby’s in Geneva said, “Kashmir sapphires are among the rarest coloured gemstones known to man. These gems have over the years acquired an almost legendary status.”
A royal tiara, featuring graduated scroll motifs set with diamonds and natural pearls, sold for $1.66m.
The tiara was given to Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo when she married Amadeo I of the Italian House of Savoy, later King of Spain, in 1867, and has been passed down through the Italian royal family for generations.
“It’s a true, beautiful and historic piece which has remained in the House of Savoy for more than 150 years,” Mr Repellin said.
As per a news item that appeared in The National News, “The Sotheby’s sale went ahead on Tuesday in the Swiss city, with Christie’s due to hold an auction of magnificent jewels there on Wednesday.”
“Marking the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s death, Christie’s is selling nine imperial jewels adorned with sapphires and diamonds from the collection of his adopted daughter Stephanie de Beauharnais.”
The pieces include a tiara valued at up to $275,000 and a necklace estimated at $350,000 which has “remained in the same family since they were offered to Stephanie de Beauharnais, on her wedding at the Tuileries Palace” in Paris, said Marie-Cecile Cisamolo, a jewellery specialist at Christie’s.
In the early 1800s, a total of 38 sapphires from Sri Lanka were used to produce the collection. The Spectacle, a 100.94 carat flawless diamond priced at $12m-$18m, is another star of the Christie’s show.
It was hewn from a rough stone unearthed in the remote north-eastern Yakutia area in 2016, and is Russia’s largest stone.
The Christie’s sale includes a sapphire crown worn by Queen Mary II of Portugal, who reigned twice before her death in 1853.
A sapphire crown worn by Queen Mary II of Portugal, who reigned twice before her death in 1853, is included in the Christie’s auction.
