A real gem both literally and metaphorically is about to be auctioned in Monaco by Hotel des Ventes in its December 8th and 9th big event. It is a sapphire but indeed no ordinary sapphire at over 18 carats and of gorgeous colour belonging to a princely family since the 1930s. The region of Zaskar, in Indian Kashmir, is considered to produce some of the most beautiful gemstones in the world.

At the beginning of 1880s a landslide in the Himalayan mountains revealed a source of sapphires at 4000 metres that has become legendary for the quality of its stones. This fame is due to their incomparable color. They are silky-looking sapphires, of an intense blue with a hint of purple. The most sought-after tone is cornflower blue.

The sapphire being auctioned has a certificate attesting “a rich saturated and homogeneous colour, combined with great transparency and a perfectly proportioned size. In addition, this remarkable gem has been spared any heat treatment. Such features are rare in a Kashmir sapphire of this size”.

Entirely pavéd with diamonds and set with an 18.42 carats antique cushion-cut sapphire, the extraordinary jewel is valued by experts between 800,000 and 1.2 million euros.

If rubies are also your choice there are a pair of Birman clip-earrings with a prized ruby of over 5 carats surrounded by diamonds in each earring. The pair are valued at about 500.000 euros. Another beautiful piece on auction is a Cartier Sitard watch with 49 carats of pavé diamonds valued at around 100.000 euros. Perhaps go to the auction just to be dazzled by the 400 lots under the hammer of gems and diamonds and also antique rings from the 18th and 19th century.