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Best of Birthstones: September Sapphires

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Rich in colour, superb in quality and perfect alone or paired with virtually any gem, sapphires have universal appeal. Belonging to the mineral species corundum, of which ruby is another variety, sapphire is most associated with blue – arguably the most famous such stone being Kate Middleton's and Princess Diana's engagement ring – but it comes in a rainbow of hues. Sotheby’s has sold some of the world’s most jaw-dropping sapphires, including Royal blue rarities from the Kashmir mines and valuable pinkish-orange varieties known as padparadscha sapphires. In honour of September’s birthstone, we chose 20 fabulous sapphires from our upcoming auctions.  –Stephanie Sporn

Fine Jewels
21 September | London

Important Jewels
22 September | New York

Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite
4 October | Hong Kong

Best of Birthstones: September Sapphires

  • Exquisite and very fine sapphire and diamond ring, Van Cleef & Arpels. Estimate HK$17,500,000–25,000,000 ($2,260,000–3,230,000). To be offered in Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite sale in Hong Kong on 4 October.
    A highlight in Sotheby’s upcoming Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite sale in Hong Kong is this stunning cabochon sapphire ring .  

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  • Pair of 18 karat white gold, sapphire, tanzanite and diamond earrings, Goshwara. Estimate $20,000–30,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    The tanzanite beads in these earrings ’ tassels perfectly complement their sapphire and diamond tops.

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  • 18 karat two-colour gold, sapphire, diamond and coloured diamond brooch, Oscar Heyman & Brothers. Estimate $15,000–20,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    This bold, circa 1941 design features a flowerhead framed by ribbon scroll flourishes, set with sapphires, diamonds and diamonds of yellow hue. 

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  • Lady’s sapphire and diamond wristwatch, Piaget, 1970s. Estimate £3,200–4,200 ($4,254–5,584). To be offered in Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale in London on 21 September.
    This Piaget watch features a rectangular dial applied with baton indicators and a bezel set with calibré-cut sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds. 

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  • Two-coloured gold, multi-coloured sapphire and diamond necklace. Estimate $18,000–22,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    No piece shows off the many hues of sapphire quite like this circa 1950 necklace , which features pair of clip-brooches designed as floral clusters – the two largest sapphires weighing approximately 10.45 and 7.60 carats.

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  • Platinum, sapphire and diamond bracelet, Cartier, France. Estimate $40,000–60,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    The torsade bracelet is composed of 21 sapphire bead strands set with round diamonds weighing approximately 8.66 carats. 

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  • Sapphire and diamond necklace. Estimate £7,000–10,000 ($9,307–13,295). To be offered in Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale in London on 21 September.
    From an Italian noble family, this diamond necklace suspends three pear-shaped sapphires.  

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  • Platinum, 18 karat rose gold, padparadscha sapphire and diamond ring. Estimate $90,000–120,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    In this feminine design , a cushion-cut papadparadscha sapphire weighing 10.27 carats is set at the corners with small round diamonds of pink hue, and its openwork mounting is further set with round near colourless diamonds. 

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  • 18 karat gold, sapphire and diamond pendant-necklace and earclips, Van Cleef & Arpels. Estimate $150,000–200,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    More than 250 carats worth of yellow and blue sapphires combine beautifully in this necklace and earclips set from a New York estate. 

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  • Gentleman’s sapphire and diamond dress set. Estimate £2,000–3,000 ($2,659–3,988). To be offered in Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale in London on 21 September.
    Diamonds and sapphires make great jewels for gents in these striking studs, buttons and cufflinks .  

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  • 18 karat gold, sapphire and diamond cuff-bracelet, Aletto Brothers. Estimate $25,000–35,000.
    Of openwork design composed of polished gold discs set with diamond accents and sapphire beads, this cuff features 102.00 carats of sapphires.  

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  • Exceptional and very rare sapphire and diamond ring. Estimate HK$30,000,000–45,000,000 ($3,800,000–5,800,000). To be offered in Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite sale in Hong Kong on 4 October.
    Labelled ‘ The Pride of Kashmir ,’ this 20.22-carat Kashmir sapphire is one of the top lots of Sotheby’s upcoming jewellery sale in Hong Kong.

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  • Sapphire and diamond necklace. Estimate £20,000–25,000 ($26,590–33,238). To be offered in Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale in London on 21 September.
    This strand is designed as a series of oval sapphires framed by brilliant-cut diamonds. 

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  • Coloured sapphire and diamond bracelet, Michael Young. Estimate £15,000–20,000 ($19,943–26,590). To be offered in Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale in London on 21 September.
    Coloured sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds make this dainty bracelet elegant and beautiful. 

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  • Star sapphire and diamond brooch, late 19th century. Estimate £3,000–5,000 ($3,988–6,647). To be offered in Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale in London on 21 September.
    In this brooch , a cabochon star sapphire is set with cushion-shaped, circular-cut and rose diamonds. 

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  • Platinum, 18 karat white gold, diamond and sapphire wristwatch, Cartier, France. Estimate $20,000–30,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    Decked with sapphires and round diamonds weighing approximately 6.75 carats, this sparkling watch exudes glamour.  

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  • Sapphire and diamond clip, circa 1930. Estimate £10,000–15,000 ($13,295–19,943). To be offered in Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale in London on 21 September.
    This asymmetric  clip is comprised of a cabochon sapphire, calibré-cut sapphires and circular-cut and baguette diamonds. 

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  • Pair of 18 karat white gold sapphire and diamond earrings. Estimate $18,000–22,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    These hoops are set with oval-shaped sapphires weighing 49.40 carats, accented by round diamonds weighing 7.60 carats. 

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  • 18 karat gold and multi-coloured sapphire necklace. Estimate $40,000–60,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    197.00 carats worth of colourful oval-shaped sapphires form this gorgeous flexible collar necklace . 

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  • Sapphire and diamond ring, Bulgari. Estimate $250,000–350,000. To be offered in Sotheby’s Important Jewels sale in New York on 22 September.
    From a New York estate, this ring centres a cushion-cut sapphire weighing 24.72 carats, accented by pear-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 9.00 carats. 

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