Burmese sapphire ring sells for five times its estimate at Cheffins

A Burmese sapphire and diamond ring was sold for £75,000 at Cheffins on 20^th November, five-times above its lower pre-sale estimate of £15,000, at the final Jewellery, Silver & Watches Sale of 2025. The auction, which was hosted at Cheffins dedicated salerooms in Cambridge, saw a 97 per cent sale rate across 376 lots, and grossed a total of £410,000.

The 14.8ct sapphire was flanked by twelve round brilliant cut diamonds and a baguette cut diamond either side and was purchased by a Hong Kong-based trade buyer. This was followed by a Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring which achieved £16,000 against an estimate of £6,000 - £8,000 and a French 18ct gold carved Buddha pendant which was sold for £5,000 to a London-based trade buyer. Meanwhile, a pair of ruby and diamond cluster ear studs sold for £2,200 to a UK-based private collector, against an estimate of £800 - £1,200.

Sapphire and diamond ring, sold for £75,000

Fay Roach, Head of Jewellery at Cheffins comments: “The results of the 138-lot jewellery section go to show that coloured gemstones continue to be the most sought-after pieces at auction. Anything with bright and brilliant colours, whether they be sapphires, rubies, emeralds or aquamarine, achieved strong prices, with many selling for way above estimates. It was these pieces which drew in a strong contingent of buyers from the trade, but also several private buyers.”

Among the watches, second-hand Rolexes set the bar, with a steel GMT Master wristwatch achieving £5,000 and an early steel wristwatch also from Rolex selling for £1,600. In addition, an early 20^th century 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch sold for £6,000.

Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring, sold for £16,000

The 138-lot silver section also saw some strong prices paid, with a William IV teapot by Paul Storr dating from 1830 achieved £2,200 and a Victorian silver cockatoo spill vase sold for £2,800.

Fay Roach continues: “We saw worldwide interest in this sale with bidders joining us both in the room and online from across the globe and are now looking forward to hosting a series of exciting sales throughout 2026.”

Prices reported are hammer prices, not inclusive of buyers’ premium at 25% plus VAT.

The Jewellery, Silver, Watches Sale – 20^th November 2025

Location: Cheffins, Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 7EA

For further information contact the Fine Art Department on 01223 213343, [email protected]