A rare Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring achieved £260,000 at Cheffins jewellery, silver and watches sale on 21st November after fierce international bidding – a record-breaking price for a single lot of jewellery for Cheffins.
25/11/2024 Jewellery, Jewellery & Watches - Interiors
The stunning Kashmir sapphire ring (Lot 171) was from a private source in Norfolk, having been within the family for almost 100 years. It is accompanied by a report from Gübelin, dated 14th October 2024, stating the weight of the sapphire to be 5.79ct (weighed), origin Kashmir, with no indication of heating, and had a catalogue estimate of £40,000-£60,000.
Fay Roach, jewellery specialist at Cheffins, comments: “Kashmir sapphires are unrivalled in their quality, with captivating colour as well as historical significance, so are highly sought-after. As such, the stunning ring in our sale attracted a lot of attention and bidding from auction room, telephone and online buyers, culminating in two determined bidders vying to secure it, driving the price up to significantly above its guide and causing much excitement in the room!”
The Jewellery, Silver and Watches sale saw over 350 lots going under the hammer and was itself, a record-breaking auction for the department, with sales totalling almost £550,000 and 97% of lots sold.
In addition to the sapphire, several unique jewellery pieces achieved significant above catalogue prices, including a Georgian topaz and pearl necklace/bracelet circa 1820 (lot 115, est £1,000-£2,000), which sold for £3,600, a Victorian and enamel memorial pendant (lot 118) which went under the hammer for £6,000, as well as a cultured pearl and diamond necklace (lot 139, est £2,000-£4,000) which achieved £5,500. Meanwhile, watch sale highlights included a steel Omega 'Speedmaster Moonwatch' chronograph wristwatch which sold for £2,200 and an 18ct gold Vacheron Constantin wristwatch, estimated at £1,500-2500 and going under the hammer for £4,200 (pictured below).
There was also excitement in the silver section of the sale, with an impressive 128-piece set of early 20th century French silver cutlery with the mark of Keller Frères achieving £8,500 against an estimate of £5,000-£7,000.
Steven Collins, Head of jewellery, silver and watches at Cheffins, comments: “This was a fantastic sale with a great atmosphere in the busy auction room and some strong prices achieved. The Kashmir sapphire was a wonderful highlight to an incredibly successful day.”