A SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING

This lot is offered without reserve.

VARIOUS PROPERTIES The region of Sri Lanka, (formerly Ceylon), one of the world's most beautiful and exotic islands located just below the southern tip of India, has long been thought of as the first source for rubies and sapphires and is mentioned as such in the earliest Sanskrit texts, while ancient Greek and Chinese historians referred to these stones as "the beautiful gems of Ceylon." The famous Western traveler, Marco Polo, wrote of his visit in 1292: "I want you to understand that the island of Ceylon is, for its size, the finest island in the world, and from its streams come rubies, sapphires, topazes, amethyst and garnet." King Solomon reportedly wooed the Queen of Sheba with Ceylonese precious stones and royal crowns in the Green Vaults of Dresden are covered with sapphires from this region. Tellingly named the "Jewel Box of the Indian Ocean," Sri Lanka has yielded many fine blue sapphires as well as yellow and color-changing varieties, with the pinnacle being the unique and rare pinkish orange Padparadscha sapphire. A stunning example is lot 381, an exceptional cushion-shaped Padparadscha sapphire, weighing 35.99 carats, which shows a mesmerizing and extremely vivid pinkish-orange color, almost identical to the shade observed in the lotus flower, after whose unparalleled beauty the gem has been named. Another magnificent example is lot 357, an exceptional cushion-cut blue sapphire weighing approximately 100.70 carats. A stone of this magnitude in just sheer size is one of nature's most extraordinary marvels. Its impressive size coupled with an intensely rich color makes this gem a true rarity for the gem connoisseur. Also of considerable importance is lot 378, the captivating cushion-shaped color-change sapphire, weighing approximately 76.11 carats. The stone's significant proportions and distinct color change that can be observed under different types of illumination, is a fascinating natural phenomenon. Sapphires, though typically associated with varieties of blue, come in a range of colors. Illustrating the yellow variant is lot 377, the cushion-cut yellow sapphire weighing approximately 83.58 carats, whose lively and vivid color and immense size are highly sought after by both gem dealers and collectors that frequent Ceylon. Each of these stones is accompanied by important documentation that stands as a testimony to their rarity and form a unique commentary on some of nature's most remarkable works of art.

Details

A SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING
Set with an octagonal-cut sapphire, weighing approximately 5.00 carats, flanked on either side by baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18k gold, with French assay marks and maker's marks
With report 12001307 dated 3 December 2004 from the AGTA Gemological Testing Center stating that the data obtained during the examination of the stone indicates that the probable geographic origin is Thailand. No indications of heating

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Sale room notice

Please note the sapphire weighs approximately 28.28 carats

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