Size 6
喀什米爾的藍寶石令人趨之若鶩的原因之一是其稀少得驚人的數量。位處喜瑪拉雅山脈山谷裡的傳奇礦區在約100年前早已被開採殆盡,現今在市場上看得到的頂級喀什米爾藍寶都是百年前的材料,珍貴程度可想而知。來自此產地的藍寶石藍光輕柔,擁有絲絨般的質感,但顏色濃郁亮麗,在任何燈光照射下都能閃出動人的彩光。相比起來,其他產地的藍寶石可能會顯得稍為偏紫或偏灰。
這三顆藍寶石(拍品635及636)採用了方形切割,在喀什米爾藍寶石當中更見稀珍,原因是只有最乾淨、顏色分佈最平均的原石才能用上這種切割。任何重逾5克拉來自喀什米爾的藍寶石,如果沒有經過任何熱處理,固然備受藏家追捧,此戒指的設計出自世界有名的法國珠寶商卡地亞,對於藏家來說,吸引力更加非同一般。The allure of sapphires from Kashmir partly rests in their legendary origin amidst the Himalayan Mountains, a source that was exhausted more than a hundred years ago, limiting the supply of top-quality Kashmir sapphires to an extremely low number. Their unsurpassed colour is the other captivating attribute that sets Kashmir sapphires apart. Its unique blue so soft and velvety, yet rich and lustrous, glows under any kind of light, unlike sapphires from other origins which may appear purplish or greyish in comparison. These three sapphires (Lots 635 and 636) are particularly rare for they all adopted the step-cut, which is a cutting style reserved for the finest and cleanest sapphire roughs. Any sapphire from Kashmir weighing over 5 carats and free from any heat treatment is greatly sought-after by gem connoisseurs all around the world. Needless to say, if such a gemstone is set by one of the world’s most notable jewellery houses, Cartier, it only adds to the appeal of the blue gem.