Sapphire Jubilee

Congratulations to the Queen for becoming the first British monarch to reach their Sapphire Jubilee.  Today marks the anniversary of the start of her reign 65 years ago.

To help celebrate, listed below are some of the worlds most famous sapphires:

This 22.66 carat Hill's Kashmir Sapphire was purchased by railroad magnate, James J Hill on Christmas Eve 1886 for his wife Mary as part of a necklace for $2,200.  The necklace was dismantled in 1919, 3 years after Hill's death with the sapphire and other 36 gems being passed to his daughters.  In 2006, the sapphire was donated to the Minnesota Historical Society with authorisation to sell it where it sold for over $3 million at auction.

The Stuart Sapphire was originally acquired by Robert II of the House of Stuarts in the 14th century and rests on the crown band weighing 104 carats.  

Set in a brooch, the Logan Sapphire is the 2nd largest sapphire in the world.  The jewellery was donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington by Mrs John Logan in 1960.

The sapphire pendant was Cartier's prized jewel in the 1919 Autumn Exhibition in San Sebastian, Spain.  It was bought by Prince Ferdinand for his mother Queen Marie of Romania, paying approximately 1,375,000 francs which she worn at his coronation in 1922.  The pendant remained in the royal family until after the war when it was then sold on to the Greek royal family.  It was then auctioned by Christies in November 2003.

The Mona von Bismarck sapphire art deco necklace was made by Cartier in 1935.   It is named after Countess Mona von Bismarck who purchased the sapphire in Sri Lanka in 1926 whilst on honeymoon with Harrison Williams, said to be the richest man in America and grandson to German Chancellor, Otto Von Bismarck.

At the time, Mona was regarded as the "Best Dressed Woman in the World"

The sapphire engagement ring first worn by Princess Diana was purchased through Garrard Jewellers.   The ring was then presented to Kate Middleton by Prince William on their engagement.