A Royal Blue Treasure of Nature

Kashmir sapphire was highlight of the jewellery sale in Monte Carlo.

In the jewellery auction in Monte Carlo on 22 July, in cooperation with the leading French auction house and fellow IA partner Artcurial, Lempertz archived a sensational result for a ring set with an exceptional cabochon-cut Kashmir sapphire. The 22.80 ct stone in the rare "Royal blue" colouring was described in a letter from the Swiss Gemmological Institute in Basel (SSEF) as "very rare" and a "true treasure of nature". Similar to the blue diamond which Lempertz sold in last year's auction for €1.8 million, this stone also originated from West German private ownership. In an exciting bidding battle between a saleroom bidder and several telephone bidders, the piece rose from the estimate €400,000 to become the most expensive lot in the auction and a real highlight at €932,000.

Results Online Auction M2002, 21/22 July Fine Jewellery