The A-Z of Jewelry: S is for... Sapphires

The A-Z of Jewelry: S is for... Sapphires

Most common in blue, sapphires actually come in an array of colors, such as pink, green, yellow, purple and orange.
Most common in blue, sapphires actually come in an array of colors, such as pink, green, yellow, purple and orange.

S apphire is the regal sister of ruby. Typically sapphire is blue, but it does occur in a rainbow of colors such as pink, green, yellow, purple and orange. Bulgari uses sapphires of all colors in their designs to great effect.

Images from left to right: Sapphire and Diamond Ring . Estimate: $125,000–175,000. Oscar Heyman & Brothers, Sapphire and Diamond Ring . Estimate: $200,000–300,000.

Colored Sapphires

Padparadscha Sapphire and Diamond Ring . Estimate: $80,000–120,000

A sapphire of pinkish-orange hue may be called padparadscha. This name comes from Sanskrit and refers to the color of the sacred lotus blossom. Padparadscha sapphires are majestic and the rarest of the sapphire group. Tiffany & Co. and Cartier offer padparadscha sapphires, usually traditionally mounted to showcase the divine color of the stone.

Orange Sapphire Ring . Estimate: $30,000–50,000

Royal Sapphires

IMPRESSIVE SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND BROOCH, CIRCA 1900. SOLD FOR CHF555,000 IN 2018. GIVEN BY PRINCESS ISABELLE DE CROŸ, ARCHDUCHESS FRÉDÉRIC OF AUSTRIA (1856-1931), TO HER DAUGHTER, ARCHDUCHESS MARIE ANNE OF AUSTRIA (1882-1940), ON THE OCCASION OF HER WEDDING TO PRINCE ELIE DE BOURBON-PARME (1880-1959) IN 1903.

Sapphires have been popular gifts among royals. This impressive sapphire brooch was given by the Princess Isabel de Croÿ, Archduchess Frédéric of Austria (1856–1931) to her daughter Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria (1882–1940) on the occasion of her wedding in 1903 to Prince Elie de Bourbon Parme (1880–1959).

Kashmir Sapphires

THE JEWEL OF KASHMIR , Exceptional Sapphire and Diamond Ring. Sold for HK$52,280,000 in 2015.

Their incomparable color – often compared to that of cornflowers – surpasses that of all other sapphires and retains its luster in any light, further enhancing their appeal.

Kashmir sapphires also exhibit a somewhat intangible quality, an almost soft texture that is often compared to velvet. All this has contributed to Kashmir sapphires’ status as the most famous sapphires in the world. The world record price for a Kashmir sapphire was achieved at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October 2015.

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