Sapphires - More than Meets the Eye!
Richard Bearne previews some of the jewellery containing sapphires in the upcoming
fine jewellery auction within the Summer Fine Sale and notes that there is more
to sapphires than meets the eye...
Sapphires are one of the most popular and precious gems used in jewellery, second
perhaps only to diamonds in popularity. However, there is more to this beautiful
blue stone than first meets the eye!
Boucheron. A Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring (FS19/168) offered in our Two Day
Fine Art Sale starting on 3rd July 2013 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.
The sapphire is part of the corundum gem variety, the other two being ruby
and padparadshca. The ruby is defined as corundum in the shade of red.
The padparadshca is of a pinkish-orange variety, more rare than the sapphire
and ruby gem stones.
Natural padparadshca sapphires often draw higher prices than many of the finest
blue sapphires. Sapphires can be found in many colours including grey and black,
the most well-known being blue.
A sapphire and diamond mounted triple cluster ring with central oval sapphire between
pear-shaped stones within a surround of small diamonds in 19th century style
(FS19/157).
Fancy sapphire colours such as pink sapphires are popular at auction and deepen
in colour as the quantity of chronium increases. The deeper the pink, the higher
their value.
White or 'colourless' sapphires are also used as diamond substitutes in jewellery.
You can often define white sapphires by their cut. The value of a natural sapphire
depends on its colour, clarity, size, cut and overall quality.
The
Jewellery
department has been busy. There are several pieces of jewellery using sapphires
in the upcoming
jewellery auction
in our
Summer Fine Sale
that is being held on the 3rd/4th July 2013 at our
Exeter Salerooms.
A sapphire and diamond round cluster ring, with single cushion-shaped sapphire (FS19/161).
The
Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring
(FS19/168) is a good example of a sapphire in jewellery with its good cut and clarity.
Boucheron
are a well-known and respected firm of jewellers who have been trading in Paris
since 1858.
The
Sapphire and Diamond Mounted Triple Cluster Ring
(FS19/157) incorporates sapphires that are less intense in colour but cut into attractive
oval and pear shapes. A more affordable example than the Boucheron ring, this is
still a charming piece of jewellery.
The
Sapphire and Diamond Round Cluster Ring
in lot 161 is valued in between lots 157 and 168 at £900-£1,300. A simple circular
cushion cut shows off the central sapphire to great advantage, being a
deep Royal blue, contrasting nicely with the brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding
it.
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
- Fine Jewellery Auctions
- Sapphire Rings
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