December 21, 2023

Significant Sapphires at Auction

Every year at the major auction houses around the world stunning and important jewellery pieces often including sapphires are sold at auction. Auction houses, including Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonham’s, meticulously select jewellery pieces based on factors like historical significance, craftsmanship, and rarity to capture the discerning eyes of collectors and enthusiasts.

Sapphires with their enticing allure and high sparkle, display a visual feast under the auction house's lights which adds an extra layer of intrigue to their rich histories, beauty and cultural significance.

Exquisite, desirable sapphires and other magnificent gemstones which are sold at auction may be accompanied with a rich historical, royal provenance, back story or perhaps once owned by a famous celebrity or jeweller. Rarity is a key factor and various other attributes such as carat weight, an unusual colour, exceptional clarity, masterful craftsmanship and country of origin can all increase the intangible value that enriches the auction’s narrative.

Sapphires sold at auction attract a global audience and the international appeal of these gems turns auctions into dynamic events where cultures and tastes converge in admiration of the timeless beauty of sapphires.

The glamour of sapphires, and especially unique one-off pieces with their timeless charm are not only revered for their aesthetic beauty but also for their potential as valuable assets.

Here are some examples of recent fabulous high end jewellery auction sales:

Bulgari Coloured Sapphire & Diamond Necklace

Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Part 1 - Sotheby's Auction May 2022 - Bulgari coloured sapphire & diamond necklace from Private Collection - sold 170,000 CHF

Russia's Romanov Sapphire and Diamond Brooch and matching Ear Clips.

Russia's Romanov jewels once owned by Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna (aunt of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II) with their rare provenance smuggled out of Russia during the 1917 revolution - Sotheby's Geneva Auction Nov 2021 - sapphire & diamond brooch and ear clips - sold 806,500 CHF (approx: US $ 883,641)

David Webb Bombé Ring

Sotheby's Geneva Auction Nov 2021 - David Webb Bombé Ring - yellow & blue sapphire & diamond ring from Private British Collection - estimate: 13,000 - 26,000 CHF

Art Deco Pink Sapphire and Diamond Brooch

Vienna 1900 : An Imperial and Royal Collection - Sotheby's Auction Nov 2023 - Ceylon pink sapphire and diamond brooch circa 1910 - sold: 16,510 CHF

Fine Padparadscha and Diamond Necklace and Ring

Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Part II - Sotheby's Auction May 2022 - Harry Winston Ceylon padparadscha sapphire & diamond necklace and ring - property of a Princess - estimate: 130,000 - 220,000 CHF

Art Deco Blue Sapphire and Diamond Pendant Necklace

Vienna 1900 : An Imperial and Royal Collection - Sotheby's Auction Nov 2023 - Sugarloaf Ceylon blue sapphire and diamond pendant necklace circa 1910 - from the collection of Tsarina of Bulgaria (1860-1917) - estimate: 11,000 - 16,000 CHF

Pink Sapphire and Diamond Ring

Fine Jewels - Sotheby's Auction June 2023 - Ceylon pink sapphire and rose-cut diamond ring - estimate : 20,000 - 30,000 USD

Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Ring

Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Part II - Sotheby's Auction May 2022 - Elizabeth Gage Ceylon yellow sapphire and diamond ring - estimate: 28,000 - 45,000 CHF