One of the world’s most coveted stones is set to take center stage at auction next week: a 3.26 ct. cushion-shape Kashmir sapphire, set in a brushed platinum ring, will be offered by Woolley & Wallis on Oct. 30 during the second day of its Fine Jewellery sale.
The stone is accompanied by a report from the Gem Certification Service confirming its origin in Kashmir and that it shows no indications of heating, a key distinction prized by serious collectors.
Kashmir sapphires derive their legendary status from an extraordinary—and extraordinarily brief—mining history. The only significant mining occurred from 1881 to 1887 in the high-altitude Zanskar range of the Himalayas, after a landslide exposed a sapphire-bearing rock pocket. The altitude, the remoteness of the terrain, and the short summer mining season all limited supply almost instantly, ensuring that only a finite number of fine stones would ever reach the market.
These stones are immediately recognizable by their rich cornflower-blue hue and soft, velvety texture—qualities created by minute, silk-like inclusions scattering light within the crystal. This unique appearance, combined with the short-lived origin, means examples today reside in museums or historic jewelry settings, for the most part, appearing at auction only on rare occasions.
“Kashmir sapphires occupy a near-mythical status in the world of gemstones,” said Woolley & Wallis specialist Marielle Whiting in a statement. “They were mined for barely a decade in the late nineteenth century, making them incredibly rare. This ring represents not just exceptional beauty, but a fleeting moment in geological history that will never come again.”
The ring is estimated to achieve between $135,000 and $160,000 (converted from £100,000 to £120,000) during the sale.
Top: A solitaire ring in a plain rub-over setting in brushed platinum with a 3.26 ct. cushion-shape Kashmir sapphire shows no indications of heating, estimate $135,000-$160,000 (£100,000-£120,000)
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