Exceptional and Very Rare Sapphire and Diamond Ring

Centring on a step-cut sapphire weighing 17.16 carats, surrounded by circular-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds together weighing approximately 6.00 carats, mounted in platinum. Ring size: 5¾

Colour and Clarity: According to Gübelin, AGL and SSEF reports, this sapphire is natural, of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating. All three laboratories gave this sapphire special comments to highlight its outstanding quality and rarity. Please refer to the reports and letters for more details. In our opinion, the sapphire is of intense, velvety blue colour, which is the most desirable colour in sapphire of this origin. Very clean to naked eyes and lively. Upon 10x loupe, this sapphire appears clean, only minute natural inclusions at a corner, not noticeable. Diamonds are about E to F colours, VVS to VS clarity. Condition: Platinum ring mount, in mint condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Illustrations in the catalogue may not be actual size. Prospective purchasers are reminded that, unless the catalogue description specifically states that a stone is natural, we have assumed that some form of treatment may have been used and that such treatment may not be permanent. Our presale estimates reflect this assumption.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Accompanied by AGL, Gübelin and SSEF reports numbered CS 57785, 14045153 and 74095 respectively, stating that the 17.16 carat sapphire is natural, of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating. The AGL letter further states that the sapphire 'displays a soft velvety "cornflower blue" colour that is commonly seen in sapphires of Kashmir origin...Large emerald cut Kashmir sapphires are rarely encountered in today's market. The provenance, size and intrinsic quality of the present 17.16 ct gem only adds to its rarity and desirability...In consideration of the special provenance, size and quality attributes of this exceptional gem, it has been named: The Imperial Kashmir.' Also accompanied by an SSEF Premium Appendix folio.

 

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THE IMPERIAL BLUE

Similar to rubies, sapphires belong to the group of corundum, which has a simple structure composed of aluminum and oxygen. Both elements are more than abundant in the earth crust, yet one of the colouring agents responsible for the alluring blue colour, titanium, is extremely scarce. In addition, the extreme conditions required for its formation is a major cause for inclusions in the crystals, making sizeable clean sapphires an exceedingly rare gem in nature. Of all the origins of sapphires that provided such geological conditions, one name spelled out the most revered and acclaimed cradle of the world’s finest sapphires – Kashmir.

Sapphires were first discovered in Kashmir, specifically in the Padar region in 1879 allegedly from a landslip. The amount of sapphire yielded from this area was plentiful to begin with, even the famous gem cutter Albert Ramsay, who visited India in the late 19th century, commented on this fact:

When I was last in the Srinagar palace of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir thirty trays were brought before me, and if I were to say that any one tray, sent to the market, would fetch a million dollars, I would be giving only a faint impression of the astonishing wealth and beauty of those treasures.

Over the course of six and seven years, the productivity of the mine had steadily decreased. Area known to us nowadays as the ‘Old Mine’, where most of the top-quality Kashmir sapphires on the market were mined, was completely exhausted. The ‘New Mine’ found later, unfortunately, was only able to produce somewhat frosty and partially blue gems. 

Kashmir sapphires today set the standard to which all other sources are compared. The sapphire set on this ring to be offered is of saturated cornflower blue colour and velvety texture, both are hallmarks of Kashmir specimens owing to zonal turbidity and fine silks in the gemstone. Its remarkable weight of over 17 carats is practically unseen in sapphires of such pedigree; combined with a homogeneous kingly blue colour and exceptional clarity which made an emerald cut possible, this extraordinarily rare gem displays superior qualities which are even rarely found in the finest Kashmir sapphires.