紅寶石配鑽石耳環一對, 十九世紀末

• 兩顆古墊形天然「緬甸」紅寶石分別約重6.80及6.70卡拉
• 20顆古墊形鑽石共重約8.00卡拉
• 黃金鍍銀鑲嵌
• 備有耳針
• 附後加的鑽石部份，可轉換成吊耳環

原為克魯侯爵伉儷女兒瑪莉Roxburghe公爵夫人的藏品。

Cf: David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti, Celebrating Jewellery, 英國薩福克郡, 2012年出版, 第16頁刊有這對紅寶石耳環的圖片

Colour and Clarity: According to both the AGL and SSEF reports, the rubies are natural, of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating. Please refer to the reports for details. In our opinion, the rubies are of a homogeneous red colour, good saturation and brilliance, with some typical crystal inclusions, a few minor nicks, scratches and abrasion to facet junction. Diamonds are about I to J colours, SI clarity. Tarnish and scratches to metal commensurate with age and wear.Condition: In very good condition, extremely rare pair of antique, natural Burmese unheated rubies.IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that jadeite and rubies of Burmese origin and articles of jewellery containing jadeite or rubies of Burmese origin all less than 100 years old may not be imported into the US. The purchaser's inability to import any item into the U.S. or any other country as a result of these or other restrictions shall not justify cancellation or rescission of the sale or any delay in payment. Please check with the specialist department if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to these import restrictions, or any other restrictions on importation or exportation.
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.

• 附瑞士SSEF證書（編號54669，日期2009年9月29日）• 兩顆紅寶石產地為緬甸 • 未經加熱處理

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瑪麗·羅克斯堡公爵夫人的緬甸紅寶石

現今市場上一般的紅寶石都經過加工處理，最常見是將其加熱以取得較為接近緬甸紅寶石的顏色，此獨特的紅色正正是世界各地寶石收藏家和鑑賞家所追求的正紅色。但事實上，品牌最超卓的緬甸紅寶石本身已集最佳的條件於一身，無需任何外來的人工幫助亦能展現全天然的高貴艷麗，而這一對完全未經任何加熱處理的紅寶石耳環就是最佳的証明。單單一顆超過5卡拉色彩均勻濃艷而含絶少內含物的天然緬甸紅寶石已稀若麟鳳，世上難得一見，進而可聯想到這一對品質相互匹配、接近7卡拉的天然緬甸紅寶石是何等稀珍，其重要性絶對不容忽視。

這對紅寶石除了背負了緬甸產地的盛名以外，它們還有位身份非凡的前主人－－英國瑪麗·羅克斯堡公爵夫人。她是克魯侯爵和侯爵夫人的女兒，馬龍梅耶·羅斯柴爾德曾孫女。她於1935年下嫁羅克斯堡第九公爵，後來更成為了羅克斯堡公爵夫人。羅克斯堡公爵夫人儀態萬千、韌力過人都是她廣為人知的美德，而她所繼承和配帶的珠寶當然也是焦點所在。公爵夫人曾為許多慈善機構出一分力，曾為National Union of Townswomen’s Guilds的主席。她亦是英國皇家芭蕾舞團的忠實贊助人和英國皇家文學會的熱心成員。

這對難能可貴的紅寶石耳環跟一條相配的紅寶石項鏈原為一套，據羅斯伯里第五伯爵日記記載，相信是他於1884購自Garrard。而剛巧就在幾年前，英國取得了緬甸抺谷山脈的開採權，倫敦著名珠寶商Edward Streeter更被委以統籌的重任，因此有理由相信這一套紅寶石是最早到達英國的抺谷紅寶石。這套首飾很有可能是伯爵贈予其妻子漢娜的禮物，漢娜其後將其贈予她的女兒，克魯侯爵夫人，然後再傳給瑪麗·羅克斯堡公爵夫人。