https://www.galeriemagazine.com/8-worlds-rarest-expensive-sapphires This record-breaking sale is a testament to the rapidly growing sapphire market and the high value that sapphires can command during a sale. To this day it remains the most expensive Burmese Sapphire ever sold. Sapphire color is evaluated on three qualities: hue, tone, and saturation. “Sapphire is one of the most valuable gemstones in the world,” Jean Ghika, global head of jewelry at Bonhams, tells Galerie. Emeralds, Sapphires, and Rubies (the “big 3”) are generally considered precious gemstones whereas most other gemstones are considered semi-precious. The finest examples hail from three mines: Kashmir in northern India, across its eastern border to Myanmar (previously Burma), and Sri Lanka (previously Ceylon), and when they appear at auction, they cause a huge buzz in the jewelry world and spark bidding wars in the auction rooms. “It is particularly noteworthy for its extraordinary clarity. By analyzing the types of inclusions—tiny microscopic minerals—within the gem, it is possible to ascertain where the sapphire was mined. More recently, they have been associated with royalty and romance thanks to the iconic blue sapphire engagement ring given to Princess Diana and then to Kate Middleton. The area was worked sporadically until the late 1920s and early 1930s, but the glory years of the 1880s were never to be replicated. Privacy Policy. Its geographical location is effectively its passport and can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the selling price.”. Its saturated blue colour, poetically referred to as ‘royal blue’, is due to a combination of well balanced trace elements in the stone, typical and characteristic for the finest sapphires of the Mogok gemstone tract. “Originally purchased in the late 19th century and early 20th century as engagement rings by two brothers, they have been passed down through the generations of one family.”, Sign up to receive the best in art, design, and culture from Galerie, © 2020 Galerie Media Group, LLC. The Mox Sapphire is the last member of the “Power Nine” and the most valuable Mox Jewel. In December 2015, a pair of late 19th-century earrings, set with two cushion-cut Kashmir sapphires weighing a little less than eight carats each, that belonged to a European princess sold for £1,538,500 (approximately $1,988,203) at Bonhams. “Sapphires hailing from Kashmir display a vivid velvety blue hue that is unique to the region,” says Ghika. Symbol of nobility, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. Architect Uli Wagner Designs a Striking Showroom for the Eye-Catching Rugs of Marc Phillips, Kravet’s Latest Textile Collection Reimagines Colorful Abstract Paintings, Stephanie Goto Designs a Meditation Room Around a Lee Ufan Artwork, 8 Ideas to Help Weather Winter with Calm and Ease. The sapphire is the stone that Diana will always be associated with, and when she got married, this set of earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet were a gift from the Saudi royal family. When valuing a gemstone, we look at the hue, tone, and saturation of the color. Diamonds are generally priced higher than sapphires, but some very rare sapphires can be more valuable than diamonds. It was bought for CHF 16,965,000 — around $17,300,000 — becoming the most expensive sapphire and the most expensive coloured stone sold at auction. It fetched $6,135,451 at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2019 against a $2 million estimate. “Examples that are fresh to the market come from an ever-diminishing pool. Rockefeller sapphire ring. And the most expensive sapphire sold at an auction has a price tag of $8,358,520. Its saturated blue colour, poetically also referred to as ‘royal blue’, is due to a combination of well-balanced trace elements in the gemstone, typical and characteristic for the finest sapphires of Mogok, Burma. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's. A well-cut sapphire will display its color to its best ability, while still enhancing luster and brilliance. Yellow Diamond: Graff Vivid Yellow – $16.3 million Sapphires vary in density, so they are measured by size as well as carat weight. Each set with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 26.66 and 20.88 carats respectively, suspended from a star surmount set with a cushion- and pear-shaped diamonds, post and hinged back fittings. But while the padparadscha is extremely rare, the finest blue sapphires are the ones that receive the top prices at auction. Sapphire: Blue Belle of Asia – $17.3 million; A 392.52ct cushion cut sapphire, the Blue Belle of Asia sold for an incredible $17.3 million in Geneva 2014. But it is their place of origin that is the most important element. tend to smash world records because the mines they come from are either exhausted or have a finite number of years to run,” explains Ghika. It is a 392.52 carat untreated Ceylon sapphire. Why is that the case? Your first newsletter will arrive shortly. The color of the sapphire is what captivates us, and draws us in for a closer look.But this is only when the color of the stone has the proper measures of hue, tone, and saturation. There is also a. special variety known as “star sapphire” whereby the gems are cut as cabochons to display the magical star-like effect. Most Expensive Sapphires Fine sapphires of Kashmir or Burmese origin typically fare well but large, incredibly rare stones can sell for millions. It set a world record for … The sapphire weighed 27.7-carats, meaning it sold for just under $250,000 per carat! This rare and one of a kind sapphire was sold in Christie’s Geneva in November 2014. Most Expensive Sapphire in the World sold by Sotheby’s More recently, Taylor’s Bulgari jewels were loaned to Hollywood actress Jessica Chastain for a 2013 screening of Cleopatra in Cannes. First, this stunning Cartier sapphire and emerald ring sold for $2.3 million, setting a new record sapphire price per carat of $193,975. Taaffeites. Top watch brands, mindful of this, use emerald, ruby and sapphire in their most important jewelry watches, as the big three below demonstrate – from Cartier, Backes & Strauss and Van Cleef & Arpels. “Stones from these origins tend to smash world records because the mines they come from are either exhausted or have a finite number of years to run,” explains Ghika. “They are now among the most highly prized gems due to their rarity and their scarcity,” says Ghika. The Richelieu Sapphires currently hold the auction record for sapphire jewels, a Kashmir sapphire and a record price per carat for a sapphire $175,821 per carat. It features a combination of two hues in a single stone, pink and orange. While gemstones of this quality would normally be faceted, this example was cut into a cabochon shape. Others are locked away in private collections. To offer expert insight into the most expensive royal engagement rings, ... Princess Eugenie's engagement ring features a unique pinkish orange-hued Padparadscha sapphire with a distinctive floral halo of pear and round brilliant diamond accents on a Welsh gold band," Money says. A flawless sapphire specimen originating from Sri Lanka, the Logan Sapphire is one of the most famous gemstones in the world. The sapphire has been named after Polly Logan, the owner of the gemstone. This incredible bracelet is set with a Burmese cabochon sapphire weighing 46.07 carats f, particularly noteworthy for its extraordinary clarity. The Blue Belle Of Asia earns the title of the most expensive blue sapphire in the world, after selling for $17,305,996 at Christie’s Geneva in November 2014. Fine sapphires of Kashmir or Burmese origin typically fare well but large, incredibly rare stones can sell for millions. The price was more than triple the pre-sale estimate of £500,000. Sapphires form in an environment rich with trace minerals, which affect sapphire clarity. This Sapphire held the world record for the highest price ever paid for a single Sapphire at auction but would be topped later in the same auction by the Richelieu Sapphires. The mine was active for just five years, between 1882 and 1887, when the supply of sapphires was depleted. This stone most definitely takes the award for least well-known gem on our list of the most expensive gemstones! Sapphires vary in density, so they are measured by size as well as carat weight. 4. Here is the Top 10 list of most expensive gemstones in the world: Tanzanite—$1,200 per carat Black Opal—$9,500 per carat Red Beryl—$10,000 per carat Musgravite—$35,000 per carat Alexandrite—$70,000 per carat Emerald—$305,000 per carat Ruby—$1.18 million per carat Pink Diamond—$1.19 million per carat While the gemstone can occur in all shades, the most sought after are certainly blue. Photo: Getty / Tim Graham. The first most expensive engagement ring on the list is owned by American rapper, Cardi B. By analyzing the types of inclusions—tiny microscopic minerals—within the gem, it is possible to ascertain where the sapphire was mined. In 1947 it was sold to Harry Winston before entering the collection of the Greek royal family. Richard Burton gave this dazzling sugarloaf cabochon sapphire to Elizabeth Taylor on her 40th birthday in February 1972. In May 2016, the 14.62carat Oppenheimer Blue diamond stone sold for £40 million, turning into the most expensive sapphire gemstone ever sold at that price. The world's biggest blue star sapphire was recently found in a Sri Lankan mine, weighing an astonishing 1,404 carats. A sapphire and diamond sautoir by Bulgari that was in the collection of Elizabeth Taylor. The price of a sapphire is determined based on its quality, which means that a large, low-quality sapphire would be a lot cheaper than a small but very high-quality sapphire. In ancient Greece and Rome, kings and queens believed that the gem protected them from harm while during the Middle Ages, the clergy wore blue sapphires to symbolize Heaven. The Star of India, the world's largest sapphire—allegedly around 2 billion years old—weighs 563-carats and is roughly the size of a golf ball. “Sapphire is one of the most valuable gemstones in the world,” Jean Ghika, global head of jewelry at Bonhams, tells, “From antiquity, it was highly regarded for its talismanic properties; today it is valued for its exceptional color.”, While the gemstone can occur in all shades, the most sought after are certainly blue. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's. The fact that Cartier chose this cut is a clear design choice, and one which could be regarded as decadent, considering the scarcity of gemstones of this size and quality.”. Hailing from an important European family, this bracelet is set with five sugarloaf cabochon sapphires from Ceylon weighing a total of approximately 193.73 carats. This 392.52-carat untreated Ceylon sapphire features a cushion-cut stone that draws your gaze into the depths of its captivating blue prism. “Created in 1927 and coming from an Asian-American collection, it realized one of the highest prices at auction for an Art Deco bracelet when, pursued by six bidders, it sold to an Asian collector,” specialist Alexander Eblen tells Galerie. Below, a look at some most jaw-dropping sapphires to ever hit the block at auction. Taaffeite wasn’t identified until 1945 when a stone that was already cut and labeled as spinel underwent further testing. The first Kashmir sapphires were unearthed in the late 1870s and early 1880s high up in the Himalayas following a landslide in a remote valley in the Kashmir region of India. The bigger of the sapphires, a 9.23 carat beauty, sold for $1.244 million at Bonhams’ New York Jewels sale in July 2020, more than double its low estimate. 10 Most Expensive Sapphires Sold at Auction N10. In ancient Greece and Rome, kings and queens believed that the gem protected them from harm while during the Middle Ages, the clergy wore blue sapphires to symbolize Heaven. The cheapest Sapphires available on the market today are the fissure filled Sapphires that have cobalt glass in them to improve the color. According to reports from the world’s top gem labs, this sapphire of significant size exhibits the intensely saturated velvety blue —often described as the prized “cornflower blue” hue—indicative of the rare sapphires from Kashmir, which set the standard for blue sapphires. Specialists note that the rarest stones boast a combination of key characteristics such as the absence of treatment and exceptional color and transparency. The second Kashmir sapphire, weighing 6.95 carats sold for $381,325 against its low estimate of $250,000. The two gemstones form a perfectly matching pair in size and shape, combined with an attractive velvety blue colour and a fine purity. Pear-Shaped Blue Ceylon Sapphire from GemSelect Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor who is wearing her sapphire and diamond sautoir. Only recently discovered, each sapphire is accompanied by two gemological certificates stating that they are both of Kashmir origin. Sapphires are among the earliest known gemstones and are highly valued for their durability. The Kashmir Jewel Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's, This striking emerald-cut cornflower blue sapphire weighing 27.68 carats is set with pear-shaped diamonds together weighing approximately 5.70 carats, mounted in 18-karat white gold. Blue sapphires usually have some inclusions, but generally have better clarity than rubies. Another valuable Sapphire form is the very scarce, orange-pink Padparadschah. Love the color of the sapphires! It was resold a few more times before its last appearance at Christie’s New York in April 2001, where it went for a whopping $3,031,000. Cover: A sapphire and diamond sautoir by Bulgari that was in the collection of Elizabeth Taylor. Many of the most important sapphires are in museum collections, including the Stuart Sapphire, which is the centerpiece of the Imperial State Crown made in 1937, and the 563-carat Star of India, which is said to be the world’s largest sapphire and can be viewed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. It was purchased in 1934 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. from the Nizam of Hyderabad. Photo: Courtesy of the American Natural History Museum. In November 2014, the Blue Belle of Asia, a 392.52-carat Ceylon sapphire, was sold for over $17 million, setting the record for the most expensive sapphire ever sold at auction. The ring was then passed to his second wife, Martha Baird, but following her death in 1971, it went up for auction in Zurich and sold for $170,000. It broke the world record already held by the Blue Moon jewel, which sold for £32 million in November 2015. Color is the most important factor when purchasing a colored gemstone. For example, a richly saturated sapphire gemstone will be more expensive than a light-colored one. Sapphire has decorated the robes of royalty for centuries. Aug 23, 2020 - Explore Michael Gough's board "Padparadscha Sapphire, the rarest/most expensive...", followed by 845 people on Pinterest. Sapphires can range in price from $50 per carat to more than $10,000 per carat, with the most expensive sapphire sold on record costing $135,000 per carat. A pair of late 19-century earrings. In the 1940s, Rockefeller asked Pierre Cartier of the namesake French jewelry maison to recut the stone into this unique shape and mount it for his wife, Abby. See more ideas about Padparadscha sapphire, Padparadscha, Jewels. Its geographical location is effectively its passport and can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the selling price.”, An old 1886 map of the Kashmir mine with the Jewel of Kashmir, which was sold at Sotheby's for a record-breaking price of $6,745,688. The 8-carat pear-shaped engagement ring cost Cardi’s fiance a whopping $500,000! Below, a look at some most jaw-dropping sapphires to ever hit the block at auction. Without these, the stone may appear dull, colorless, and gray.Sapphire HueA sapphire’s hue describes the stone’s balance of color as it relates to its neig… Sold at Sotheby ’s Geneva on November 2013, this Richelieu sapphire is one of the best. This rectangular-cut sapphire from Myanmar is not only extraordinary for its size, shape, clarity and color, but it also boasts a fabulous provenance. 3) An Exceptional Sapphire and Diamond Ring Weight: 35.09 Carats Others are locked away in private collections. 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