An exceptional Kashmir sapphire

At a scattering of beautiful jewels, all eyes were riveted on a deep ultramarine “cornflower” gem that was soaring to the top.

We admired it in Gazette no. 41 : this sumptuous two-tone gold ring holding a rare cushion sapphire, surrounded by 12 round old-cut diamonds, finally fetched €408 ,000 , from a high estimate of €80 ,000 (gross weight 8 g). This substantial sum was a major factor in the success of the sale, in which 97% of the lots were sold for a total of €1 , 350 ,000 . Our stone, weighing 5.77 ct (11.32 x 9.85 x 5.45 mm), displays an intense cornflower blue, a very rare color found mainly in the mines of Kashmir, where it originates.For the record, the ring, dating from the late19th century, was given to the children of two wealthy French industrialists around 1884, and has remained in the family ever since. It was followed by a brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, which achieved €69 ,500 . In yellow and white gold, it represents a flock of birds, their bodies set with emerald cabochons, their heads paved with diamonds and their eyes adorned with rubies. They are joined by a branch adorned with leaves, some highlighted with a line of diamonds (gross weight 22.5 g). We could console ourselves with a charming silver bracelet from Hermès, the “Crescendo” model, sold for €10,700 (l. 21 cm, weight 97.9 g).