31 carat no heat sapphire on Sotheby’s for $20, 000!

[Pinkmartini87]

Hi, $20,000 (Swiss francs) + 15% buyer’s premium seems like a great deal to me for such a large sapphire of royal provenance, or am I missing something here? (Are yellow/purple/non-blue sapphires that much less expensive than blue?)

https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2018/royal-jewels-bourbon-parma-family-ge1809/lot.52.html

Accompanied by GGTL report no. 17-G-14792, stating that the yellow sapphire weighing 31.30 carats, measuring 19.99 x 15.92 x 10.70mm, is of Ceylon origin, with no indications of heating. Yellow sapphire with typical inclusions visible under close inspection, yellow of medium strong saturation, abrasions to facet edges. Diamonds bright and lively. Scratches and tarnish to the metal consistent with age and light use. In good condition. Gross weight approximately 10 grams.

 

[voce]

It'll probably sell for more than 20,000 CHF. However, yellow is one of the least expensive colors, way less expensive than purple. The only colors less expensive than yellow are "green" and "black" aka ugly sapphire colors. Sapphires don't do green as nicely as other colored gems.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@voce Thanks for the helpful thoughts!

It actually sold for $20,000. Guess yellow sapphires are significantly less expensive, although 31 carats is quite a honker!!

I wonder how many pieces us PSers would have scrapped together enough to buy there! Maybe a time share deal? Jk

I’ve never seen a great looking green sapphire...

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@voce Here’s a purple sapphire that sold on Sotheby’s. This one IMHO seems overpriced. Huge window. I have a 1920s purple sapphire ring with single cut diamonds at about 6 carats that was sold to me for around $14k and I thought that was already a bit too expensive! Even though carat size and price go up exponentially, this 9 carat sapphire ring seems high to be sold for over $60k without any special provenance.

I’m confused about non-blue sapphire pricing now...

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/fine-jewels-online/violet-sapphire-and-diamond-ring-circa-1910

Description:

“VIOLET SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING, CIRCA 1910

Claw-set with an oval sapphire weighing approximately 9.80 carats, to shoulders set with single-cut diamonds, size M1/2.

Accompanied by GCS report no 14.8 x 11.1 x 6.4mm, stating that the sapphire is of Sri Lankan (Ceylon) origin, with no indications of heat treatment.

Ring stamped PLAT. Estimated total diamond weight approximately 0.20 - 0.40 carats. Gross weight approximately 5.9 grams. Overall in good condition.”

 

[shelovesinclusions]

@voce Here’s a purple sapphire that sold on Sotheby’s. This one IMHO seems overpriced. Huge window. I have a 1920s purple sapphire ring with single cut diamonds at about 6 carats that was sold to me for around $14k and I thought that was already a bit too expensive! Even though carat size and price go up exponentially, this 9 carat sapphire ring seems high to be sold for over $60k without any special provenance.

I’m confused about non-blue sapphire pricing now...

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/fine-jewels-online/violet-sapphire-and-diamond-ring-circa-1910

Description:

“VIOLET SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING, CIRCA 1910

Claw-set with an oval sapphire weighing approximately 9.80 carats, to shoulders set with single-cut diamonds, size M1/2.

Accompanied by GCS report no 14.8 x 11.1 x 6.4mm, stating that the sapphire is of Sri Lankan (Ceylon) origin, with no indications of heat treatment.

Ring stamped PLAT. Estimated total diamond weight approximately 0.20 - 0.40 carats. Gross weight approximately 5.9 grams. Overall in good condition.”

The color is pretty, but that window... it's like a lens with a sparkly rim.

Also, will you share yours?

 

[Pinkmartini87]

The color is pretty, but that window... it's like a lens with a sparkly rim.

Also, will you share yours?

@MissSarah Agreed, and I’m actually quite forgiving about windows (mine has a window too), but for $60k the window is rather glaring.

Here’s mine, also Art Deco era, also no heat sapphire (mine is about 5.8 ct), also in platinum and with single cut diamonds and a window:



I’m actually in the market for a yellow sapphire antique piece, and was surprised at someone buying a 31 carat yellow sapphire with royal provenance for only $20k from a reputable auction house.

 

[shelovesinclusions]

@MissSarah Agreed, and I’m actually quite forgiving about windows (mine has a window too), but for $60k the window is rather glaring.

Here’s mine, also Art Deco era, also no heat sapphire (mine is about 5.8 ct), also in platinum and with single cut diamonds and a window:



I’m actually in the market for a yellow sapphire antique piece, and was surprised at someone buying a 31 carat yellow sapphire with royal provenance for only $20k from a reputable auction house.

Your sapphire ring is lovely! The window is not as much of a stark contrast as the $60k one, and yours has a better luster.

I agree with you about the yellow sapphire. I'd think the origin alone would have bumped up the final price.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@MissSarah Thank you! Yes, I wondered why that yellow sapphire went so “cheaply”. Perhaps the bidders that day were saving their $$$ for the later auction lots (a pearl pendant belonging to Marie Antoinette sold for $3 million).

 

[Niel]

Yellow isn’t all that expensive. I have nabbed a few high ct no heat ones on eBay for a song.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@Niel Gotcha, thank you for the education! I’m glad you were able to find some great deals, and I love your yellow sapphire ring!

I’m looking for a 5-6 carat unheated yellow sapphire, what ballpark $$$ should I be setting aside?

 

[LilAlex]

VIOLET SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING, CIRCA 1910

Claw-set with an oval sapphire weighing approximately 9.80 carats, to shoulders set with single-cut diamonds, size M1/2.

This looks like an inexpensive amethyst and that may be the problem.

The yellow one is crazy-shallow.

 

[collier]

I agree that the provenance along would seemingly have bumped up the price. I remember seeing a pair of pedestrian pearl and diamond studs owned by Princess Margaret go through the roof.

A PAIR OF CULTURED PEARL AND DIAMOND EARCLIPS, BY BIRKS

www.christies.com

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@LilAlex Goid point—both stones are very shallow. Again, surprised that the 9 carat amethyst looking sapphire fetched 3x more than the 31 carat yellow sapphire with royal provenance.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I agree that the provenance along would seemingly have bumped up the price. I remember seeing a pair of pedestrian pearl and diamond studs owned by Princess Margaret go through the roof.

A PAIR OF CULTURED PEARL AND DIAMOND EARCLIPS, BY BIRKS

www.christies.com

Agreed, especially given the air of glamour/beauty surrounding the wearer. I could see something say belonging to Princess Diana fetching a disproportionately large sum due to the legend surrounding the wearer.

 

[collier]

So true. Princess Diana wore a fair amount of faux mixed with real. I would imagine that even the faux would fetch enormous sums if auctioned.