Sapphire, a highly-esteemed gemstone, has its finest specimens originating from the mountains of Kashmir. It is a remote region that defines the northern most border between Pakistan, India and China. The Kashmir gem deposit was revealed after a landslide on a mountain in the Zanskar range of the Himalayas in 1881. Mining was primitive and intensive, and only continued for a brief period between 1881 and 1887 at irregular intervals. The rough yield quantity was small due to extreme elevation, harsh climate, inhospitality and political unrest. The deposit was exhausted by the 1920’s and there have been no new finds in the area. The Kashmir sapphires are talked about in almost a mythical way these days, and provide qualities against which all others are judged. We are honored in this auction to present lot 2019, a 13.66 carat Kashmir sapphire ring. It is a special collector’s gem with exceptional value. The well-proportioned rectangular-shaped sapphire shows depth of color sof tened by the warm inner glow. Kashmir sapphires are indeed an exclusive class of their own, worthy of admirations for the generations to come.

Poly Auction. Magnificent Jewels, 2 October 2017 1:30pm, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong