Multimillion-Dollar Historic Jewellery Auction, Kashmir Sapphires To Italian Royal Tiara

JAKARTA - The largest Kashmiri sapphire ever auctioned sold for $3.88 million at an auction in Geneva, Switzerland. Not just any gem of course.

Yes, this 55.19-carat gem was once the collection of Maureen Constance Guinness, a marchioness of the Anglo-Irish brewer's family, who died in 1998.

Kashmiri sapphires weighing more than 30 carats are extremely rare and are sold alongside one other sapphire weighing 25.97 carats.

"Kashmir sapphires are one of the rarest colored gemstones known to man," Benoit Repellin, head of luxury jewelry sales in Sotheby's in Geneva, Switzerland told The National News on Wednesday, May 12.

"This gem for many years has gained almost legendary status," he continued, describing a glimpse of a sparkling blue sapphire background that looks very luxurious.

In addition to sapphire Kashmir, there is also a royal tiara featuring a tiered roll motif with diamonds and natural pearls, sold for 1.66 million U.S. dollars.

The tiara was a gift to Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo at her wedding in 1867 to Amadeo I of the Italian House of Savoy, later king of Spain. This tiara was passed down from generation to generation of the Italian royal family.

"That's right, beautiful and historic that has remained in the House of Savoy for over 150 years," Repellin said of the tiara.

While the Sotheby's sale begins on Tuesday in Switzerland, Christie's will hold an extraordinary jewelry auction there on Wednesday.

Marking the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's death, Christie's sold nine imperial gems decorated with sapphires and diamonds from the collection of his adopted daughter, Stephanie de Beauharnais.

The pieces included a tiara worth up to $275,000 and a necklace estimated to be worth $350,000.

"All have remained in the same family since they were offered to Stephanie de Beauharnais, at her wedding at the Tuileries Palace in Paris," said Marie-Cecile Cisamolo, a jewellery specialist at Christie's.

A total of 38 sapphires from Sri Lanka were used to make sets in the early 1800s. Another star of Christie's show is Spectacle, a flawless 100.94 carat diamond priced between $12 million and $18 million.

It is the largest stone ever cut in Russia and carved from rough rock unearthed in a remote northeastern region of Yakutia in 2016.

In addition, Christie's sales included sapphire crowns worn by Queen Mary II of Portugal, who ruled twice before her death in 1853.