Platinum, Star Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Oscar Heyman & Brothers

Set with an oval-shaped star sapphire weighing approximately 85.00 carats, flanked by two shield-cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.15 carats, the mounting further set with round, baguette and half moon-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 1.25 carats, size 6¾, fitted with inner sizing band; circa 1930.

Together with this lot is the book entitled The Brown Derby Restaurant, A Hollywood Legend”, co-authored by Sally Wright Cobb and Mark Willems, Rizzoli, New York, 1996; revealing the history, famous recipes (birthplace of the “Cobb salad”), and including numerous pictures and caricatures of Hollywood celebrities.

In good condition. The opaque sapphire displays a light purplish gray blue hue. Six ray star appears directly in the center under a direct light source, rays slightly wavy. Wear visible to the setting is consistent with age and use, modest abrasion to the back of ring shank visible as well as light nicking to the underside of the prongs. Diamonds are approximately G-H color, VS clarity. Purportedly made by OHB and sold by their rep on the West Coast (Eddie Hutton) to Carole Lombard, in the mid-1930s. She then sold it in the late 1930s to Earl Bernheimer for his wife Sally, who later married Bob Cobb, owner of the Brown Derby.
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.

In the mid 1930s, Hollywood became the international focus of glamour and intrigue. Star sapphires took center stage as the jewel of choice for its most celebrated royalty.  Large splashy cabochons designed in the new “machine age” style decorated countless stars of the silver screen.  In 1935, the jeweler Trabert & Hoeffer advertised in Harper’s Bazaar, the “Star of Bombay’, a star sapphire of about 60 carats curiously captioned as being “in all the world, the only one”.  That same year, Joan Crawford received a 70 carat star sapphire from Franchot Tone as an engagement ring. Purportedly, the ring offered here once belonged to actress Carol Lombard, but eventually it came to grace the hand of Mrs. Sally Cobb who married Robert Cobb, owner of the legendary Brown Derby restaurants in Los Angeles, the ultimate destination for all Hollywood celebrities.