Famous Sapphires
The most popular coloured gemstone in the world right now is the blue sapphire.
We take a look at the most famous of the world's sapphires.
The Logan sapphire
Second largest faceted, blue sapphire in the world.
Weighing in at 422.99carats. Cushion cut, rich deep blue.
Named after a Mrs Polly Logan, a Washington DC socialite who once owned it.
The Bismarck Sapphire necklace
Weighing in at 98.56 carats. Cushion cut, cornflower blue
Purchased in 1926 by American tycoon Harrison Williams for the Countess Mona Von Bismarck during their honeymoon.Famously one of the most influential pieces or Art Deco jewellery, it was donate by Bismarck herself in 1967, to the Smithsonian Institute where it has been on display ever since.
The Stuart Sapphire
Weighing in at 260.37 Carats. Dark saturated Blue, unusual multi faceted cut.
Russian Emperor Alexander II purchased a sapphire whilst at the Great London Exhibition in 1862, for his wife. Subsequently set in a brooch surrounded by 56.60 carats of diamonds, and including gold and silver. Resides as part of the Russian Diamond Fund.
The Stuart Sapphire
Weighing in at 104 carats. Intense blue cabochon stone. - Cabochon meaning highly polished but not faceted.
Set into the back of the Imperial State crown of England. It is thought James II took the stone from Charles II with him when he fled France, and it continued to be passed down through the Royal families.
In Queen Victoria’s state crown it was set at the front of the crown, just below the Black Prince Ruby. During the reign of King Edward VII the sapphire was moved to the back of the crown where it still occupies that position today.
The Rockefeller Sapphire.
Possibly one of the most well known of the famous large sapphires.
Weighing in at 62.02 caratsInternally flawless cornflower blue, rectangular cut.
Purchased in 1934 by John D. Rockefeller from an Indian Maharajah; Mir Osman Ali Khan. It was set as a brooch by Rockefeller’s first wife, and then redesigned as a ring by his second wife.
It has been sold at auction multiple times, most recently for just over $3million in 2001.
Blue Giant of the Orient
The largest Faceted sapphire in the world.
Weighing in 486.52 carats. Cornflower blue, cushion cut.
Discovered in Sri Lanka on 1907, weighing in at 600 carats in the rough. For almost a hundred years the stone disappeared from the public eye, until it appeared in a Christies Auction in 2004. It sold after auction for $1million to an anonymous buyer.
Blue Belle of Asia
The most expensive blue sapphire sold at auction for $17.5 million in 2014.
Weighing in at 392.52 carats. Deep blue cushion cut.
It is part of a diamond tassel pendant necklace. It was discovered in 1926 in Ratnapura in Sri Lanka - the same area as several other sapphire mentioned above.
Sold to Lord Nuffield of England it then disappeared for 35 years, appearing briefly in 1970, but then disappearing again until the auction in 2014 as part of a large estate of a Saudi collector.
The Princess Diana Engagement ring.
The world most famous sapphire, the one most people will name if asked.
Weighing at 12 carats. Ceylon blue, oval, framed by 14 diamonds.
Once belonging to the Princess or Wales, now of course belonging to Prince William’s wife, Kate. A touching sentimental gesture and very much accountable for the rise in sapphire sales cross the world.
Here at Luxury Portal we have numerous pieces of Sapphire Jewellery. Our favourites are listed below.
3.03ct Oval Royal Blue Sapphire & 0.55ct Diamond 18ct White Gold Cluster Ring
18ct Gold 3.56Ct Unheated Natural Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Platinum 3.02ct Sapphire and 0.60tcw Diamond Trilogy Ring.
2.12ct Oval Transparent Blue Sapphire & 0.80ct G/VS2 Diamond Platinum Trilogy Ring.
Please do contact us if we can help in any way with your search for the perfect sapphire.