Royal Blue: Massive return for stunning sapphire necklace

A remarkable sapphire and diamond necklace has generated an impressive return at a recent auction in Hong Kong.

Described as ‘Royal Blue’, the necklace features 16 antique cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphires weighing between 3.43 carats and 13.37 carats. Each sapphire is framed with white diamonds, totalling more than 121 carats.

The necklace was the headline item at the 25 November Magnificent Jewels auction hosted by Christie’s in Hong Kong and returned $USD16.1 million ($AUD24.6 million).

“In the jewellery world, ‘royal blue’ describes sapphires with a richly saturated, straight blue colour that does not appear blackish, possibly with a slight purplish tint, embodying nobility and elegance. For centuries, it has symbolised the pinnacle of all sapphires,” Christie’s said in a statement in the lead-up to the auction.

“With few surviving examples, the appearance of any Kashmir sapphire in the market generates eager anticipation among collectors. A necklace uniting 16 top-quality Kashmir sapphires is a treasure of unparalleled rarity, embodying the essence of nature and cosmic mystery.”

The auction returned $USD69.1 million ($AUD105.5 million) in total and included pieces by Cartier, Harry Winston, JAR, and Van Cleef & Arpels.