Two cushion-shaped diamonds on side, 1.70 and 1.65 carats
Platinum
Size 5¾
(20.26-carat Sapphire) SSEF report numbered 72823, dated 21 February 2014, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), no indications of heating, "Royal Blue" colour. Appendix letter states, this sapphire "exhibits a remarkable size and weight of 20.267 ct, combined with a well-saturated blue colour, a fine purity, and an attractive cutting style......A natural sapphire from Ceylon of this size and quality is very rare and exceptional". Gübelin report numbered 14010204 (duplicate), dated 29 January 2014, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), no indications of heating, "Royal Blue" colour.
附 SSEF 及 Gübelin 證書
Catalogue Essay
Today while Kashmir and Burma are the two prime origins of blue sapphires, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is also a reputable source of this blue gemstone among collectors. In fact, Sri Lanka is the most historically significant source. The earliest record of Ceylon sapphires in western jewellery appeared amongst the Etruscans (600-275 BC) and sapphires were extensively used by the Greeks and Romans from 480 BC onwards. In more contempory times, the famous panther brooch made by Cartier for the Duchess of Windsor also features a Ceylon sapphire. Presence of the characteristic inclusions of exsolved silks, Ceylon sapphires commonly show a warm and softer tone of blue colour. 'Royal Blue', a term trade and connoisseurs use to describe a pure and saturated blue hue usually associated with the finest Burmese stones, is rarely found in natural, unheated Ceylon sapphires. Whilst sapphires of eye-clean clarity without noticeable inclusions are uncommon, especially in large sizes. As illustrated in the SSEF gem report, the present Ceylon sapphire possesses a remarkable size of 20.26 carats, combined with saturated blue colour and fine purity, well deserving of the word “Exceptional”.