A remarkably rare sapphire and diamond ring was the headline item of a recent auction in Hong Kong, selling for $USD9.5 million ($AUD14.61 million).
Known as the Regent Kashmir, the ring features an antique cushion-shaped 35-carat sapphire in a band set with round diamonds.
The piece was sold at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale on 27 May, falling within its presale estimate. The gemstone was sourced from the Kashmir mines in India, active only between 1882 and 1887.
Other items of note included a 4.08-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond set in a ring with round diamonds along the band. This piece returned $USD5.3 million ($AUD8.15 million).
A second sapphire ring was sold for $USD2.5 million ($AUD3.85 million). This ring featured an antique 28-carat cushion brilliant-cut Burmese sapphire and nearly doubled its presale estimate.
The auction returned $USD48 million ($AUD73.83 million) in total and featured pieces from designers such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Bulgari.
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Credit: jewellermagazine.com
