A find of gem-quality, genuinely small (can’ardly see ’em), natural-color sapphires, estimated at 14 million carats, has been discovered on a 75,000-acre private estate near Ellerston, New South Wales, Australia, 250 km northwest of Sydney.
Gerry Manning, of Manning International, New York, represents the owners of the new source in the U.S. market, and he’s excited—the sapphires need no color or clarity enhancement, and they can be calibrated in well-cut round brilliants.
Ellerston sapphires will be set in jewels manufactured in New York by Kurt Wayne, Suna Bros., Gumuchian Fils, Frank Mastoloni & Sons, and Kurt Gaum.