A Superb Belle Époque Sapphire And Diamond Ring

Designed as a two-stone ring, set with an antique cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 9.22 carats and a cushion-shaped diamond weighing 5.25 carats, to the single and old European-cut diamond shoulders, mounted in platinum, circa 1910, ring size 5¾  - Estimate HK$12,000,000 - HK$20,000,000 ($1,600,000 - $2,600,000) - Price Realized HK$14,100,000 ($1,828,073)

Accompanied by report no. 44969 dated 6 July 2005 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the 9.22 carat sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating

Report no. CS37371 dated 15 October 2004 from the American Gemological Laboratories stating that the 9.22 carat sapphire is natural and based on available gemological information, it is the opinion of the Laboratory that the origin of this material would be classified as Kashmir, heat enhancement: none, clarity enhancement: none

Report no. 0807201 dated 26 August 2008 from the Gübelin Gemmological Laboratory stating that the 5.25 carat diamond is D colour, internally flawless clarity. Accompanied by an appendix and a note stating that this diamond is classified as Type IIa (a chemically very pure type of natural diamond, with no measurable traces of nitrogen). It possesses a purity of colour and degree of transparency which are particular to the finest of natural colour type IIa diamonds. Diamonds of this type and size, exhibiting a superior quality, are very rare. Such diamonds have been unearthed from only a limited number of sources around the world (e.g. South Africa, Brazil and India)

Christie's. Jewels:The Hong Kong Sale. 2 December 2008. Hong Kong. Image 2008 Christie's Ltd. www.christies.com