Rare Kashmir Sapphire to be auctioned in Geneva

The 55.19 carat gem, formerly held in the collection of Maureen Constance Guinness, a marchioness who died in 1998, will be sold along with another cushion shaped Kashmir Sapphire weighing 25 carats. Together, the pair of extremely rare blinders, is expected to fetch $2-3 million.

Kashmir Sapphires were mined from the valley in the 18th century, from 1882. Over-mining led to depletion of the source in 1887, making the gems extremely rare. Kashmir Sapphire are considered the most valuable of all blue sapphires due to their true blue color and extraordinary velvety texture. The gems maintain their lusture in any light, another rare trait they share with very few other stones. Jewels crafted with these precious stones are coveted eagerly on the market.

Along with the sapphire, the auction will include a diamond and pearl tiara held by the Italian Savoy royal dynasty. The diadem has 11 pearls and was crafted in the first half of the 19th century. The expecting price is around $1.5 million.

Sotheyby’s has said that there is an unprecedented demand for tiaras from Asia, with wealthy younger clients demanding jewels with royal lineage. A third of the tiaras sold by the venerable auction house in the past five years have been bought by Asians. Sotheyby’s has created a special Instagram filter for people to see themselves wearing the tiara in a background of an opulent palace.

A diamond weighing over 100 carats is also up for sale, expected to be sold within a range of $12 – 15 million. Named the Alrosa Spectacle, the stone is the largest cut internally flawless gem from Russia. It was harvested from a stone found in the Yakutia region in 2016.

Among the other notable gems to be auctioned is an emerald surrounded by 104 carats of pear-cut diamonds, crafted by the American jewelry brand Harry Winston. It too is expected to be sold within the $1 -1.5 million range.