This retro tank design Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring from the 1940’s sold for a hammer price of €550,000 at the James Adam Jewellery sale in Dublin today. It had been estimated at €150,000-250,000. The ring is centred on a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 6.22cts, between old brilliant and tapered baguette-cut diamond shoulders and baguette-cut diamond borders, mounted in 18 carat gold. The diamonds are approximately 2.00 carats in total.
In 1880 a landslide in the Himalayas revealed an unusual type of rock previously buried under layers of soil from which blue stones protruded. Mining began in 1882 and by 1887, despite the intensely hot summers, the mine had been exhausted. With the assistance of British geologists a new mine was found in the valley below but this too was quickly depleted. No other deposits have since been found. Kashmir sapphires command a high price because they contain a top-quality specimen. You may come across other blue sapphires, Burmese or Ceylonese, but only those from Kashmir possess a distinctive tint. Experts call it blue velvet.
See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 3, 2025