Christie's Offers $12m Sapphire and $10m Ruby
May 22, 25
(IDEX Online) - Two remarkable gems from the same private collection could fetch $22m between them when they are offered at Christie's Hong Kong next week.
A 35.09 carat Kashmir sapphire has an estimate of HKD 65m to HKD 95m ($8.3m to $12m) and a 13.22 carat Burmese ruby has an estimate of HKD 50m to HKD 80m ($6.4m to $10m).
Christie's say the antique cushion-shaped, unheated, royal blue sapphire, known as the Regent Kashmir, is the most valuable piece of Kashmir sapphire jewelry it's offered anywhere in the last five years. It is set in a platinum ring with round diamonds.
The gem comes from the legendary Kashmir mines in India, which were active only between 1882 and 1887.
The oval brilliant-cut unheated ruby, known as the Regal Ruby, of 13.22 carats, could become the most valuable and largest Burmese ruby to be sold at Christie's Hong Kong in a decade. It is set in a gold ring with half-moon diamonds.
The gems, both belonging to "an important private collector", are to be sold at the Magnificent Jewels live auction on 27 May as part of Hong Kong Luxury Week.
Pics courtesy Christie's.