Hancocks London is spotlighting the incredible story of Kashmir sapphires, which were mined for only a few years in the 1880s, through a ring with a 1.89 ct. octagonal step-cut sapphire as its December Jewel of the Month.
The platinum and 18k gold ring also features approximately 1.3 cts. t.w. French-cut diamonds and hand-engraved detailing. It is available from Hancocks for £95,000 (approximately $121,000).
“Kashmir sapphires hold an unparalleled place in the world of fine jewelry, and this remarkable example offers a glimpse into the extraordinary beauty of these rare stones that makes them so coveted,” said Guy Burton, managing director of Hancocks London, in a statement. “This ring exemplifies what we are renowned for: sourcing the finest gemstones and hand-making them into timeless mini masterpieces with unmatched precision and a dedication to craftsmanship—all rarely seen in today’s jewelry world.”
Kashmir sapphires were discovered in 1881 when an avalanche in the remote Zanskar region of the Himalayas, in northern India, revealed a hidden trove of the velvety blue gemstones within pegmatitic rock of untouched terrain at an elevation over 14,500 feet.
The extreme altitude and nearly constant heavy snowfall restricted mining to the summer months, from July to September. After just five years of intense excavation, between 1882 and 1887, the deposit of these exquisite sapphires—some as large as three to five inches—was depleted.
The Kashmir mining operations, often referred to as the “old mine” period, produced sapphires of extraordinary quality and rarity that now have legendary status in the world of fine gemstones.
(Photos courtesy of Hancocks London)
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