Dorotheum’s Jewels sale on 30 November 2023 will feature one of the rarest and most coveted gemstones: a Kashmir sapphire of 13.963 ct with an estimate of 200,000 to 400,000 euros.

This "king of sapphires" was discovered in the inhospitable mountain ranges of the Himalayas. In 1880, a landslide in the secluded Paddar region of the Kishtwar district revealed sapphires of extraordinary beauty. The resulting mines, at an altitude of around 5,000 metres, were only productive between 1882 and 1887. After that date, no more significant finds were recorded and the mines were soon declared exhausted. A typical feature of Kashmir sapphires is the velvety shimmer of their blue colour. They are among the most valuable stones in the world. Their exceptional quality was not merely coveted by the Maharajas: they were also valued by European royal houses, who saw them as exclusive natural rarities.

This extremely rare Kashmir sapphire, set in a bracelet and with an impressive size of almost 14 ct, comes from the estate of a European aristocratic family and is now being auctioned for the first time. The 2023 report of the Swiss Gemological Institute qualifies the colour of the stone offered at auction as “blue of strong saturation”, thus certifying the highest colour saturation. Its transparency is particularly enhanced by the simplicity of its cabochon cut. With its smooth, unfacetted surface, it absorbs the power of light to reveal its unique and distinctive blue.

The auction also features a large selection of high-carat diamond solitaires and gemstones, with a total of 238 selected pieces of jewellery. These include coveted brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Chopard.


EXCLUSIVE TIMEPIECES

The Watch sale on 1 December 2023 is just as diverse, including more than 300 fine timepieces. The highlight of the sale is IWC’s Il Destriero Scafusia, estimated between 60,000 and 90,000 euros. It is an extremely rare and fine wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phase, double chronograph, minute repeater, and tourbillon in a gold case. It was produced in 1993 to mark IWC’s 125th anniversary in a limited edition of 125 pieces.

Elegant chronometers from manufacturers such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Rolex round off the offer.