Sapphire

The appraisal and sale of a high-quality, untreated, and unheated sapphire often requires laboratory analysis, which we can arrange. This analysis will help determine the origin of your sapphire, ensuring it is sold for the best possible price.

The sapphire is part of the family of "four precious stones." It belongs to the corundum gem variety and can appear in many colors, except red, which is classified as ruby. The term comes from ancient Greek: sappheiros ("blue stone") or possibly from Hebrew, sappir ("the most beautiful thing"). Blue sapphires are found in many countries, but the majority come from Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Burma, as well as from China, India, Brazil, Thailand, and Africa.

The Most Prized Sapphires:

• Kashmir Sapphires are among the most exceptional stones, combining unique characteristics with fascinating history and mystery. The Zaskar region in Indian Kashmir once produced the most prized sapphires. Their fame is due to their unparalleled color: a velvety and intense silky blue with a hint of violet. These deposits, located at more than 4,000 meters in the Northwest Himalayas, were discovered and exploited starting in 1881. Mining of Kashmir sapphires continued until 1979, when it abruptly ceased, reportedly due to the exhaustion of the deposits (though rumors suggest some deposits may have been reopened in recent years). Kashmir sapphires, particularly those found in antique jewelry like old rings, are now exceptionally rare and fetch high prices at auction. However, Burma produces sapphires with a very similar tone, which are also becoming increasingly rare, and their prices are approaching those of Kashmir sapphires.

• Burmese Sapphires are renowned for their beautiful intense blue color—a rich, deep blue that tends to darken significantly in evening light. These mines are located upstream of Mogok.

• Ceylon Sapphires, from the Ratnapura region in the southwest of Sri Lanka (the "land of sapphires"), have been known since antiquity. The stones are typically myosotis blue or cornflower blue with a hint of purple, but they can also appear in yellow, orange, green, pink, brown, or colorless varieties. A large majority of sapphires on the market come from Sri Lanka, and their valuations are generally lower than Burmese sapphires. Traditionally, blue sapphires were almost exclusively used, but contemporary trends have embraced a variety of colors. Pink, yellow, and blue sapphires, in particular, complement each other beautifully. The appraisal for the sale of a high-quality, untreated, and unheated sapphire will often require laboratory analysis, which we can provide. This analysis will clarify the origin of your sapphire to help achieve the best possible sale price.

Our specialists are available to evaluate your precious and semi-precious stones, jewelry, bracelets, rings, necklaces, vintage creations, or signed pieces set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and fine pearls. They offer free and confidential appraisals by appointment. The team travels throughout France and to the house’s representative offices.

Feel free to contact us to discuss the purchase or sale of a piece of jewelry.