Lot Essay
Cornflower Blues.......the legendary rich velvety blue colour which unlike other sapphires, remains the same in day and artificial light. This much desired colour is seen only in sapphires discovered from the mines of Kashmir which were discovered in 1881 when a landslide in the Zanskar range of the Northwestern Himalayas unearthe sapphire bearing rock. By 1887, the initial mine was exhausted and since then there has only been sporadic activity due to the harsh climatic conditions and political unrest.
Over this short period of time when the mines were most active, some of the world's most beautiful gems were mined in this region, including the superb collection of sapphires offered in the following section.
Over this short period of time when the mines were most active, some of the world's most beautiful gems were mined in this region, including the superb collection of sapphires offered in the following section.