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Lot Essay
The Blue Belle stands out as one of the world’s rarest sapphires, both in size and quality. Sapphires over 100 carats are extremely rare, and few are known by name. Even among royal collections, examples of this caliber are scarce. The Iranian Crown Jewels list only three sapphires of note, the largest weighing 191.58 carats. The Kremlin’s Diamond Treasury holds a 250-carat cornflower blue sapphire from the former Russian royal regalia. Another, linked to Catherine the Great, weighs 337 carats. Yet despite these remarkable stones, the Blue Belle remains nearly unmatched at 392.52 carats.
From the very short list of faceted sapphires weighing over 350 carats, the Blue Belle has always remained a mystery. After the Blue Giant of the Orient (486.52 carats), the Queen of Romania's Sapphire (478.68 carats) and the Logan Sapphire (423 carats), this legendary sapphire has a lesser known history.
Uncovered in 1926 at Pelmadula, Ratnapura ('The City of Gems') in Ceylon, it is difficult to locate information regarding the exact weight or shape of the Blue Belle at the time of it’s discovery. It is often mentioned that it was 'valued at 50,000' in 1928, 'weighing approximately 400 carats after having been cut and polished'. It had a 'highly prized peacock blue color and excellent clarity' and was owned by the well-known gem and jewelry dealers Macan Markar in Colombo. The famous firm, established in 1860 by O. L. M. Macan Markar, had one of the most spectacular collections of gems which attracted the world’s most discerning collectors, including several members of the British Royal family including HM King Edward VII and HM King George V.
In 1937, the Blue Belle was sold to British motor magnate Lord Nuffield (1877-1963). The founder of Morris Motors Limited, he was also an important philanthropist and in the 1920s, he had made his first substantial public benefaction. In 1937, Lord Nuffield founded and endowed Nuffield College, Oxford and in 1943 he gave $10 million to form the Nuffield Foundation. The trust was designed to benefit medical research, hospitals and education. At the time of his death in 1963, he had given away more than $32 million to charitable institutions.
The reasons behind his purchase of the Blue Belle were mysterious. It was reported that the sapphire was to be presented to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on her coronation day on 12 May 1937. Instead, the Blue Belle 'disappeared' into private hands and that its location was unknown for the next 35 years. According to records from the 1970s, the famous Swiss based gem-dealer Theodore Horovitz had the opportunity to examine the sapphire. His notes and drawings give precious additional information on the shape and weight of the gem.
Most recently in 2014, the Blue Belle was thrust into the spotlight at Christie's in Geneva. It was revealed as a necklace centering upon the spectacular sapphire and achieved an astounding price of $17.3 million.
Sapphires of this size, color and clarity are extremely rare. This magnificent specimen ranks as one of the most prestigious colored gems to have come to the market and Christie's is honored to once again present the Blue Belle to our extraordinary collectors.
From the very short list of faceted sapphires weighing over 350 carats, the Blue Belle has always remained a mystery. After the Blue Giant of the Orient (486.52 carats), the Queen of Romania's Sapphire (478.68 carats) and the Logan Sapphire (423 carats), this legendary sapphire has a lesser known history.
Uncovered in 1926 at Pelmadula, Ratnapura ('The City of Gems') in Ceylon, it is difficult to locate information regarding the exact weight or shape of the Blue Belle at the time of it’s discovery. It is often mentioned that it was 'valued at 50,000' in 1928, 'weighing approximately 400 carats after having been cut and polished'. It had a 'highly prized peacock blue color and excellent clarity' and was owned by the well-known gem and jewelry dealers Macan Markar in Colombo. The famous firm, established in 1860 by O. L. M. Macan Markar, had one of the most spectacular collections of gems which attracted the world’s most discerning collectors, including several members of the British Royal family including HM King Edward VII and HM King George V.
In 1937, the Blue Belle was sold to British motor magnate Lord Nuffield (1877-1963). The founder of Morris Motors Limited, he was also an important philanthropist and in the 1920s, he had made his first substantial public benefaction. In 1937, Lord Nuffield founded and endowed Nuffield College, Oxford and in 1943 he gave $10 million to form the Nuffield Foundation. The trust was designed to benefit medical research, hospitals and education. At the time of his death in 1963, he had given away more than $32 million to charitable institutions.
The reasons behind his purchase of the Blue Belle were mysterious. It was reported that the sapphire was to be presented to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on her coronation day on 12 May 1937. Instead, the Blue Belle 'disappeared' into private hands and that its location was unknown for the next 35 years. According to records from the 1970s, the famous Swiss based gem-dealer Theodore Horovitz had the opportunity to examine the sapphire. His notes and drawings give precious additional information on the shape and weight of the gem.
Most recently in 2014, the Blue Belle was thrust into the spotlight at Christie's in Geneva. It was revealed as a necklace centering upon the spectacular sapphire and achieved an astounding price of $17.3 million.
Sapphires of this size, color and clarity are extremely rare. This magnificent specimen ranks as one of the most prestigious colored gems to have come to the market and Christie's is honored to once again present the Blue Belle to our extraordinary collectors.