Fifteen Famous Sapphires
- gem_head
- Sep 13, 2020
- 10 min read
I absolutely love sapphires and forever looking for an excuse to talk/write/wear/dream about this gorgeous blue gemstone! The month of September is of course the perfect occasion because Sapphire is the birthstone of September.
Sapphire belongs to the mineral species ‘Corundum’. Corundum occurs in a variety of colors - all colors except blue and red are referred to as Fancy Colored Sapphires in the gem trade, and denoted by their primary body color i.e. Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire. The blue variety of corundum is simply ‘Sapphire’, the red variety of corundum is ‘Ruby’, and the orangish-pinkish variety is ‘Padparadscha’.
Sapphires and rubies are two of the three most coveted colored gemstones in history, emerald being the third. Their beauty, durability and metaphysical properties have appealed to people of diverse cultures across the globe, over many millennia. Even today, rubies and sapphires are highly sought after for their beauty, and are considered auspicious.
Corundum is more durable than most other colored gemstones worn in jewelry due to its high hardness - ranked number 9 on Moh’s scale of hardness. Diamond being number 10 is the hardest known material on earth.
Mughal Maharajas, Royalty in Europe, Emperors of East Asia wore talismanic sapphire rings, and sapphires on their crowns as they believed sapphires protected kings from harm and envy. Some even believed sapphires make a stupid man wise, and a belligerent man good-tempered. In old European legends the Star Sapphire has been referred to as ‘the stone of destiny’ or ‘the victory stone’. Star Sapphires are those that display the optical phenomena ‘asterism’ - a six ray star, on rare occasion, a twelve rayed star on its body when cut en cabochon. The star occurs due to intersecting silky fibrous inclusions within the crystal known as ‘Rutile’.
Rutile inclusions are seen in sapphires occurring in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, but of course not limited to these countries. Many of the famous star sapphires listed below are however from these two destinations.
While each natural i.e. mined gemstone is super special, there are a few exceptionally special sapphire specimens known to man - special because of its sheer beauty, size, rarity, provenance, history and lore. Below list features fifteen famous (blue) sapphires celebrated around the world.
1. Napoléon Bonaparte’s Engagement Ring for Empress Joséphine
Although their marriage was not the happiest, Napoleon was head over heels in love with Josephine. His love letters to Josephine are some of the most celebrated in history. This sapphire and diamond set in 14K gold engagement ring nonetheless, continues to be a symbol of Napoleon’s unwavering love for Josephine over the many turbulent years of their marriage. The two stones set side by side are symbolic of their union. Both the gemstones are just under one carat each, the ring doesn't look much, but it's said to have cost Napoleon a fortune in 1796 to have it made.
When the ring came up for auction at the French auction house Osenat in 2013, the ring smashed the estimated sale value of $20,000, when the hammer came down at approximately $950,000 - purchased by an anonymous buyer.
2. Lady Diana’s Engagement Ring
Picked from a sales catalogue belonging to royal jeweler Garrad&Co. by Lady Di herself, this ring unlike other royal jewels, was not custom designed. An approx. 12 carat oval Sri Lankan Sapphire surrounded by 14 brilliant cut diamonds are set in white gold, and is one of the most recognizable pieces of jewelry in history. Today, the ring belongs to the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton - daughter in law of the late Princess Diana.
3. Rockefeller Sapphire
The flawless Burmese Sapphire is believed to have been acquired by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1924 from an Indian Maharajah (thought to have been the seventh and the last Nizam of Hyderabad - Mir Osman Ali Khan).
The sapphire was made into a Brooch by the Cartier’s for Rockefeller’s first wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, who wore the jewel until her passing in 1948. Later, transferred to Rockefeller’s second wife Martha Baird who had the stone mounted on a ring. Upon her passing, the ring went up for auction in Zurich and it sold for $170,000 to Raphael Esmerian. The Sapphire has since changed hands many times, and was most recently seen at Christie's auction of 2001 mounted in a Tiffany&Co. platinum ring flanked by two cut-cornered triangular diamonds. The Rockefeller sapphire has been re-cut several times, and weighed 62.02 carats during Christies’ auction of 2001, where it sold for approx. $3million.
4. Stuart Sapphire
Weighing at 104 carats, the Stuart Sapphire is one of the largest gemstones incorporated on to the British imperial crown. While the origins of this stone is not exactly confirmed, it’s believed the stone originally belonged to British monarch King Charles II of the House of Stuart - thus named the Stuart Sapphire. The stone is said to have been passed down royal families, until Queen Victoria had it set on the Imperial Crown during her reign. Originally, the Stuart Sapphire sat on the front of the crown, below the Black Prince’s Ruby, later moved to the back of the crown where it sits today, and in its place on the front now is the Cullinan II diamond.
5. The Grand Sapphire of Louis XIV and The Ruspoli Sapphire
For many years, the Ruspoli Sapphire and the Grand Sapphire of Louis XIV were considered to be the same, however GIA’s Gem&Gemology Winter 2015 issue, confirmed them to be two separate stones. They are both of very similar carat weights (Grand Sapphire at 135.74 cts. and Ruspoli at 136.9 cts.), however they were both cut to look very different from each other (Grand Sapphire of a very unique lozenge shape, and Ruspoli of a classic cushion shape).
The Grand Sapphire was lost temporarily during the French revolution, was later found and currently resides at the French National Museum of Natural History in Paris among other French Crown Jewels. While unable to absolutely confirm, the GIA study of 2015 speculates the Grand Sapphire originated in Sri Lanka.
The whereabouts of the Ruspoli Sapphire unfortunately is unknown at this time, it was believed to have been in the possession of renowned British banker Henry Philip Hope at one time before being acquired by Cartier in 1909 who then sold it to the Russian Imperial family, and passed on to Queen Marie of Romania, from her to her daughter Ileana who eventually sold it to a New York based Jeweler around 1950.
I clubbed these two separate sapphires together at number 5 because their history is intertwined, the Grand Sapphire and the Ruspoli Sapphire are however two different stones as explained above. So, technically, this article presents 16 famous sapphires! 😉
6. Star of Bombay
Currently housed at the Smithsonian Institution’s mineral and gem gallery, the Star of Bombay is a spectacular star sapphire of 182 carats. The violetish-blue Star of Bombay is not only exceptionally large, but displays a sharp and prominent six rayed star. It's body is semi-translucent, which is quite rare for natural star sapphires. The Rutile inclusions in star sapphires generally make the body look cloudy and opaque.
Although dubbed Star of Bombay, the stone originates from Sri Lanka. The Star of Bombay was gifted to the Smithsonian by American movie legend Mary Pickford, who received the stone mounted on a ring from her husband Douglas Fairbanks, Sr - also an American movie legend of the Gilded Era.
7. Star of Artaban
The enormous grayish-blue Star Sapphire dubbed the Star of Artaban weight 287 carats, and currently resides at the Smithsonian Institution. It is believed to be of Sri Lankan origin, and was donated to the Smithsonian collection by an anonymous mineral collector in 1943.
Although, unconfirmed, the name ‘Star of Artaban’ is believed to have been inspired by Henry van Dyke's novel ‘The Other Wise Man’ published in 1895. This story refers to Artaban, supposedly the 'fourth Wise Man' who was on his way to Bethlehem to see the child of christ but doesn't make it. Artaban is said to have carried three gemstones - a Red, White and Blue gem to gift to the child of christ.
8. Star of Asia
The 330 carat gorgeous Star of Asia Sapphire is one of the most beautiful star sapphires in the world, it is currently housed at the Smithsonian Institution’s mineral collection in Washington D.C. This specimen originated from Mogok mines in Burma, present day Myanmar. While unconfirmed, the stone is said to have belonged to the Maharajah of Jodhpur in India at some point.
9. Blue Belle of Asia
The magnificent 392.52 carat Sri Lankan, ‘cornflower blue’ sapphire with pre-sale estimate of $ 9.9 million, sold for a record $17.3 million at Christie’s Geneva in 2014, and remains the highest price paid at auction for a sapphire.
Blue Belle of Asia discovered in 1926 in Pelmadula, Sri Lanka was sold to a British businessman in 1937 by a Sri Lankan jeweler. The cushion shaped Blue Belle of Asia is suspended on a brilliant-cut diamond tassel pendant with oval-shaped diamond terminals, to the brilliant-cut diamond neck chain, mounted in gold.
10. Logan Sapphire
Another from the Smithsonian collection is the enormous Logan Sapphire. Named after its original owner Polly Guggenheim Logan who donated the remarkable specimen to the Smithsonian Institution in 1960.
The Logan Sapphire is an internally flawless sapphire specimen from Sri Lanka, a cushion-cut stone of rich deep blue color and is one of the largest known sapphires in the world weighing at 422.99 carats. The Logan sapphire is displayed in its original brooch setting surrounded by 20 round brilliant cut diamonds.
11. Blue Giant of the Orient
One of the largest faceted Sapphires known to date, the Blue Giant of the Orient is a whopping 466 carats. This spectacular sapphire was unearthed in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka at almost 600 carats in 1907. The stone was faceted to its current weight of 466 carats in Sri Lanka and sold to an American mineral collector for approximately £7,000 in 1907.
The whereabouts of this stone was unknown for many years until it came up for auction at Christie’s in 2004 - an anonymous buyer is said to have purchased the Blue Giant of the Orient.
12. Queen Marie of Romania Sapphire
Yet another truly magnificent sapphire unearthed in Sri Lanka is the enormous Queen Marie of Romania Sapphire of 478.68 carats, named after Queen Marie herself of course. King Ferdinand, her husband is said to have purchased the sapphire suspended on a diamond necklace for Queen Marie from the Cartier’s in 1921. He is said to have paid the Cartier’s 1,375,000 francs in four installments for this necklace from 1921 to 1924. Queen Marie of Romania Sapphire (only the pendant portion) resurfaced at a Christie's auction held in 2003, and was sold for approximately $1.4 million to an anonymous buyer. This is the largest sapphire ever presented at auction to date.
13. Star of India
The 563.35-carat Star of India sapphire is one of the largest gems in the world, and the most famous gem at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The Star of India remarkably displays sharp six ray stars on both sides of the stone, unlike the Star of Bombay the stone is less violet-ish, and more gray-ish Blue.
Star of India was donated to the AMNH by New York Banker J.P. Morgan, and is said to have been fashioned by renowned Tiffany Gemologist George F. Kunz in New York.
I must mention however, the name ‘Star of India’, yet again like in the case of Star of Bombay is an unfortunate misdirect from its actual place of origin, which is Sri Lanka. While India and the Mughals have a magnificent past (and present) with gemstones, India is yet to produce a star sapphire that could rival the colossal, high quality star sapphires unearthed in Sri Lanka.
14. Star of Adam
The Star of Adam was much more recently discovered compared to many others on this list. Discovered in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka in 2015, the Star of Adam is currently possessed by an unknown private collector. It is the largest known Star Sapphire weighing at 1404.49 carats, roughly a little more than the weight of a roll of nickels. The Star of Adam has a rich blue body color and a sharp six ray star on its body.
15. St. Edward's Sapphire
The St. Edward Sapphire is an octagonal, rose-cut sapphire of unknown weight and is set on the Maltese cross at the top of the British Imperial State Crown. It is also regarded the oldest known stone on the Imperial State Crown, with a history dating back to the 11th century. The St. Edward’s Sapphire gets its name from Edward the Confessor, the king of England from 1042 – 1066. This sapphire of exceptional color is said to have been originally set on King Edward’s ring - while he was buried with it, was later recovered from his body during a relocation. The stone is believed to have been recut at some point before setting it on the Imperial State Crown. While unconfirmed, the stone is believed to have originated in Sri Lanka.
References:
Christie’s. (2014, November 11). A SPECTACULAR SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND NECKLACE. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-spectacular-sapphire-and-diamond-necklace-5844924-details.aspx
CNN. (2016, January 6). Star of Adam Sapphire [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/style/article/worlds-biggest-blue-star-sapphire/index.html
Curry, C. (2018, September 10). 7 of the World’s Most Famous Sapphires and the Stories Behind Them. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://www.galeriemagazine.com/7-most-famous-sapphires/
Elizabeth Jewellers. (2015, October 24). The Blue Giant of the Orient. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://www.elizabethjewellers.com/blogs/sapphire-jewelry/72919363-the-blue-giant-of-the-orient
Farges, F., Panczer, G., Benbalagh, N., & Riondet, G. (2015). The Grand Sapphire of Louis XIV and The Ruspoli Sapphire | Gems & Gemology. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2015-sapphire-ruspoli-sapphire-historical-gemological-discoveries
Harlow, G. E., & Sofianides, A. S. (2015). Gems & Crystals: From One of the World’s Great Collections (Revised ed.). New York, New York: Sterling Signature.
Jarrett, D. (2011, July 1). The Story Behind the Stone: The Star of BombayThe Story Behind the Stone: The Star of Bombay – Southern Jewelry News. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://southernjewelrynews.com/columnists/the-story-behind-the-stone-the-star-of-bombay/
Jewel Box of Morgan Hill. (n.d.). Napoleon’s Engagement Ring to Josephine. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://jewelboxofmorganhill.com/napoleons-engagement-ring-to-josephine/
Larif, S. (2008a, March 16). St. Edward’s Sapphire – News. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://news.internetstones.com/st-edwards-sapphire/
Larif, S. (2008b, April 2). Star Of Artaban – News. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://news.internetstones.com/star-of-artaban/
Lin, A. (2012, October 24). World Famous Sapphires. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://blog.saffronart.com/2012/10/24/world-famous-sapphires/
Nag, O. S. (2018, June 3). A List Of The Most Valuable And Word Famous Sapphires. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/a-list-of-the-most-valuable-and-word-famous-sapphires.html
Natural Blue Sapphires. (n.d.). The Word’s Five Most Famous Blue Sapphires. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://www.naturalbluesapphires.com/news/the-words-five-most-famous-blue-sapphires/
Oehler, C. (2019, November 27). Why Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring Caused Controversy Within the Royal Family. Retrieved from https://www.brides.com/story/why-princess-diana-engagement-ring-was-controversial
[Photograph]. (2013, September 3). Blue Giant of the Orient. Retrieved from http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/images/the-blue-belle-of-asia-a-cushion-shaped-kashmir-sapphire-sold-for-a-record-breaking-sum-of-17305996-at-christies-geneva-in-november-2014/
[Photograph]. (2016, August 3). Queen Marie of Romania Sapphire. Retrieved from http://royalwatcherblog.com/2016/08/03/romanian-diamond-sautoir/
[Photograph]. (2018, August 14). Lady Diana Engagement Ring. Retrieved from
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a22727712/princess-diana-engagement-ring/
Reuters. (2013, March 13). Napolean’s Ring for Josephine [Photograph and Illustration]. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2293722/Napoleon-love-
Engagement-ring-emperor-gave-wife-Josephine-goes-auction-set-fetch-13-000.html
Royal Collection Trust. (n.d.). Stuart Sapphire [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.rct.uk/collection/31701/the-imperial-state-crown
The Court Jeweller. (2017, September 25). The Stuart Sapphire. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from http://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2017/09/the-stuart-sapphire.html
The Natural Sapphire Company. (2008, April 9). Famous Sapphires. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/blog/famous-sapphires
Wikipedia contributors. (2019, August 29). Ruspoli Sapphire. Retrieved September 12, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruspoli_Sapphire
Comments