These 2 Kashmir Sapphires Sold for $1.6M at Auction

By Brecken Branstrator
brecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.com

These two exceptional Kashmir sapphires led the Bonhams New York Jewels auction Tuesday, with the 9.23-carat stone at left selling for $1.2 million, while the 6.95-carat stone at right went for $381,325.

July 29, 2020

New York—Two exceptional Kashmir sapphires led the Bonhams New York Jewels auction Tuesday, with one selling for more than two times its pre-sale low estimate.

The top lot, a 9.23-carat cushion-shaped sapphire, garnered $1.2 million, compared with its estimate of $475,000 to $775,000.

The No. 2 lot was a 6.95-carat cushion-shaped sapphire, which fell within its pre-sale estimate range when it sold for $381,325.

The two stones originally were purchased in the late 19th and early 20th century by two brothers for engagements rings and have been passed down through the family since, remaining in its possession for more than a century.

According to Bonhams, the stones were sold to two different anonymous buyers Tuesday.

Falling behind the sapphires was a ring set with a 15.52-carat old mine-cut diamond that garnered $156,325; a Bulgari “Serpenti” watch with blue and green enamel scales and pear-shaped ruby eyes for $92,575; and another diamond ring, this one set with a 9.03-carat rectangular-cut diamond flanked by twin tapered baguette-cut diamonds in a wide 18-karat gold band that sold for $81,325.

Click through the gallery below to see lots No. 6 through 10.

Tied at No. 6 was a pair of iconic ballerina brooches from John Rubel circa 1950 that sold for $62,575 each. The two ballerina pieces were crafted with rose-cut diamond faces, ruby and sapphire head pieces and skirts, and ruby details on the ballet flats, all set in 18-karat gold.
20200729 Lots 6 20200729 Lots 6
They were followed by a “toi et moi” ring from the estate of American actress, singer, model and activist Diahann Carroll. The ring is set with a cut-cornered square modified brilliant 6.03-carat and a 13.43 mm cultured pearl, which went for $56,325.
20200729 Lots 8 20200729 Lots 8
At No. 9 was this 18-karat gold necklace comprised of 42 graduated fluted emerald beads measuring from about 12.11 x 11.41 mm to 21.58 mm x 16.98 mm, with round brilliant-cut diamond rondelles and two larger round brilliant-cut diamond and gold scrolled spacers. It sold for $52,575.
20200729 Lots 9 20200729 Lots 9
Rounding out the top 10 was this signed Cartier ring set with a cushion-shaped ruby weighing 8.06 carats with pear-shaped diamond accents and round brilliant-cut bifurcated shoulders that garnered $47,575 Tuesday.
20200729 Lots 10 20200729 Lots 10

Tied at No. 6 was a pair of iconic ballerina brooches from John Rubel circa 1950 that sold for $62,575 each. The two ballerina pieces were crafted with rose-cut diamond faces, ruby and sapphire head pieces and skirts, and ruby details on the ballet flats, all set in 18-karat gold.

They were followed by a “toi et moi” ring from the estate of American actress, singer, model and activist Diahann Carroll. The ring is set with a cut-cornered square modified brilliant 6.03-carat and a 13.43 mm cultured pearl, which went for $56,325.

At No. 9 was this 18-karat gold necklace comprised of 42 graduated fluted emerald beads measuring from about 12.11 x 11.41 mm to 21.58 mm x 16.98 mm, with round brilliant-cut diamond rondelles and two larger round brilliant-cut diamond and gold scrolled spacers. It sold for $52,575.

Rounding out the top 10 was this signed Cartier ring set with a cushion-shaped ruby weighing 8.06 carats with pear-shaped diamond accents and round brilliant-cut bifurcated shoulders that garnered $47,575 Tuesday.