Return To GemBlog

$1M ‘Royal Sapphire’ helps Christie’s to $12M total in Paris

A vintage sapphire weighing 7.58 carats, previously connected with a royal family, sold for more than three times its low valuation, helping Christie’s fetch a record-setting $12.03 million – well exceeding the sale’s $9.8 million upper presale estimate.

The exquisite Kashmir gem is a cushion-cut, graded vivid blue with strong saturation. It has clarity characteristics consistent with origin in a remote northern area of the Himalayan mountains. Initially estimated to sell for between $327,000 and $436,000, the gavel fell at $1.03 million, easily making it the star attraction of the Joaillerie Paris online auction.

Christie's Paris Auction
Credit: Christie’s

 

Although the specific royal family associated with the sapphire was not disclosed by Christie’s, the auction also featured another notable item—an extraordinary 29.60-carat fancy intense yellow diamond. This extraordinary gemstone, sold for $577,000 came from the family collection of Prince Barbu Alexandru Știrbey, who served as the prime minister of the Kingdom of Romania in 1927.

Yellow Diamond
Credit: Christie’s

 

Other notable lots sold at the auction:

A Van Cleef & Arpels ring set with a unique oval step-cut Burmese ruby, estimated to weigh between 6.5 and 7.5 carats, between half-moon antique cut diamonds. The piece sold for $611,000, nearly triple its high presale estimate.

Burmese Ruby
Credit: Christie’s

 

A Cartier ring featuring a 16.20-carat I color VS1 clarity emerald-cut diamond. The piece sold for $440,167, slightly exceeding its high presale estimate.

Cartier Diamond
Credit: Christie’s

See the auction preview.

Subscribe to our GemBlog

Receive a weekly roundup of intelligence and insight from our expert team of gemologists and jewelry enthusiasts.

"*" indicates required fields

Name