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Lot Essay
The colored gems emerald, sapphire and spinel have been closely associated with nobility for millennia. Their symbolic use in royal raiment and regalia are a visible display of wealth and authority. From Cleopatra’s obsession with Egyptian emeralds, to the frequent references to precious sapphire amongst ancient Roman and Greek texts, these stones have been treasured. Though often misunderstood in the past, spinel appears prominently amongst the most revered royal objects of the British monarchy. Today this fascination continues and the demand for exceptional examples grows ever stronger.
Christie’s is proud to present the spectacular emerald, sapphire and spinel rings featured in the Property of a West Coast Collector. What distinguishes this particular aspect of the collection is the collector’s extraordinary eye for exquisite color combined with excellent quality. Chosen for their subtle interplay of hue, saturation, and brilliance, these three gemstones speak to a collecting philosophy of both connoisseurship and expertise.
Lot 87 showcases an impressive emerald-cut Colombian emerald. With minimal inclusions, gemological testing has concluded there is ‘no evidence of clarity enhancement’ meaning the traditional methods of improving clarity present in virtually all emeralds were avoided. Weighing 7.64 carats, this emerald has a lively green color thanks to trace elements like chromium and vanadium. “No oil” emeralds of high quality from the famed Colombian mines such as Muzo and Chivor are becoming increasingly rare and sought after.
Lot 86, the Sapphire and Diamond Ring, features a deep blue sapphire of 12.70 carats hailing from Sri Lanka. The incredible gem lore from the island of Ceylon, to use the more historical name, is known the world over. Though a great many gem varieties are recovered, none is more renowned than sapphire where the famed “cornflower blue” stones have been recovered for centuries. This example has been cut in a highly desirable and seldom seen emerald-cut shape. Devoid of any heat treatment and expertly faceted, it is an excellent example of important sapphires from this region.
Lot 85 boasts a vividly saturated pink-red spinel cut into a remarkably lively oval shape. While spinel has been mined for well over 2,000 years in locales such as Tajikistan and Burma, this particular stone was found in the newest source of Mahenge, Tanzania. Discovered in the early 2000s, spinels from this region are sought after due to their intense color and excellent clarity. Impressively, Mahenge spinels have set a new standard against which all spinels are measured and this superb gem exemplifies this quality.
Christie’s is proud to present the spectacular emerald, sapphire and spinel rings featured in the Property of a West Coast Collector. What distinguishes this particular aspect of the collection is the collector’s extraordinary eye for exquisite color combined with excellent quality. Chosen for their subtle interplay of hue, saturation, and brilliance, these three gemstones speak to a collecting philosophy of both connoisseurship and expertise.
Lot 87 showcases an impressive emerald-cut Colombian emerald. With minimal inclusions, gemological testing has concluded there is ‘no evidence of clarity enhancement’ meaning the traditional methods of improving clarity present in virtually all emeralds were avoided. Weighing 7.64 carats, this emerald has a lively green color thanks to trace elements like chromium and vanadium. “No oil” emeralds of high quality from the famed Colombian mines such as Muzo and Chivor are becoming increasingly rare and sought after.
Lot 86, the Sapphire and Diamond Ring, features a deep blue sapphire of 12.70 carats hailing from Sri Lanka. The incredible gem lore from the island of Ceylon, to use the more historical name, is known the world over. Though a great many gem varieties are recovered, none is more renowned than sapphire where the famed “cornflower blue” stones have been recovered for centuries. This example has been cut in a highly desirable and seldom seen emerald-cut shape. Devoid of any heat treatment and expertly faceted, it is an excellent example of important sapphires from this region.
Lot 85 boasts a vividly saturated pink-red spinel cut into a remarkably lively oval shape. While spinel has been mined for well over 2,000 years in locales such as Tajikistan and Burma, this particular stone was found in the newest source of Mahenge, Tanzania. Discovered in the early 2000s, spinels from this region are sought after due to their intense color and excellent clarity. Impressively, Mahenge spinels have set a new standard against which all spinels are measured and this superb gem exemplifies this quality.