Unmounted Kashmir Sapphires @ Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels, 20 Apr 10, New York

Two Unmounted Sapphires. photo Sotheby's

The two cushion-shaped sapphires weighing 8.37 and 8.02 carats. Est. 500,000—700,000 USD. Lot Sold 1,082,500 USD

NOTE: Accompanied by AGL report nos. CS 41712 and CS 41711 stating that the sapphires are of Kashmir origin, no gemological evidence of heat. Also accompanied by Gübelin report no. 1003012/1 and 2 stating that the sapphires are of Kashmir origin, no indications of heating.

Two Unmounted Sapphires. photo Sotheby's

The cushion-shaped sapphires weighing 6.39 and 6.31 carats. Est. 300,000—400,000 USD. Lot Sold 974,500 USD

NOTE: Accompanied by AGL report nos. CS 41716 and CS 41715 stating that the sapphires are of Kashmir origin, no gemological evidence of heat. Also accompanied by Gübelin report no. 1003011/1 and 2 stating that the sapphires are of Kashmir origin, no indications of heating.

Unmounted Sapphire. photo Sotheby's

The square-emerald cut sapphire weighing 8.73 carats. Est. 175,000—225,000 USD. Lot Sold 434,500 USD

NOTE: Accompanied by AGL report no. CS 41710 stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, no gemological evidence of heat. Also accompanied by Gübelin report no. 1003013 stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, no indications of heating.

Two Unmounted Sapphires. photo Sotheby's

The two cushion-shaped sapphires weighing 4.31 and 4.29 carats. Est. 125,000—175,000 USD. Lot Sold 362,500 USD

NOTE: Accompanied by AGL report nos. CS 41714 and CS 41713 stating that the sapphires are of Kashmir origin, no gemological evidence of heat. Also accompanied by Gübelin report no. 1003010/1and 2 stating that the sapphires are of Kashmir origin, no indications of heating.

"For sheer beauty a really fine Kashmir sapphire is a thing that stands supreme." J.F. Halford-Watkins, 1935

The Persians believed the world rested on a giant sapphire, with the sky reflecting its pure color. In the 13^th century, Marco Polo left sapphires as a personal calling card on his travels throughout the Near and Far East. And in more modern times, beautiful sapphires have afforded the viewer a sense of serenity, transcendent beauty, and, of course, value. But while exceptional sapphires have long been admired, Kashmir sapphires may be said to truly captivate.

It was not until around 1880 that the world's finest sapphires were revealed by a landslide deep in the Himalayas. Originally bartered by locals for salt and other goods, their true worth soon came to the attention of the Maharajah of Kashmir who promptly took control of the mine. By 1887, almost all of the larger, finer crystals were unearthed and mounted as exquisite jewels. Since that initial torrent of production, intermittent mining has succeeded in uncovering only a trickle of small deposits, making these sapphires among the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world.

The sapphires produced by the legendary Kashmir mines are remarkable for their intense blue color balanced by a distinctively velvety appearance. The gems offered here create a series of soft blue flashes with which one might elegantly encircle a wrist or neck. To come across a single fine Kashmir sapphire is a rare event; to find a matched line of stones such as this is rarer still. It is a collection for the true gemstone connoisseur.

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels. 20 Apr 10. New York www.sothebys.com