Auction / Guinness World records / largest sapphire / luxury / Etcetera
Christie's New York exhibits in their Rockefeller Plaza headquarters a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS sapphire destined to become a landmark in world jewellery history
On October 29 -31 Christie's New York exhibits in their Rockefeller Plaza headquarters a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS sapphire destined to become a landmark in world jewellery history, ahead of their November 27th Hong Kong auction
Mark your calendars. On November 27th, 2018 Christie’s Hong Kong will offer a landmark sapphire, one listed in the Guinness World Records. An extraordinary gem, combined with an extraordinary “no reserve” sale, creates an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history.
As Richard Hughes, author of classic books on ruby and sapphire and founder of Lotus Gemology Co. Ltd, puts it in the adjunct to its gemological report: “When you hold this jewel in your hand, you hold something fit for a potentate.”
When this sapphire came to light in the late 1990’s, it caused a sensation. Featuring an exquisite “cornflower blue” color, it originally entered the Guinness World Records weighing 397,095 ct. Then known as the “Côte d'Azur” (Azure Coast), it was later repolished to 396,89 ct and renamed “the Ultimate Mogok Blue Treasure,” in honour of the fact that the renowned Mogok mines from which it originates are nearing depletion. Chances are, a larger piece will never be found.
The Ultimate Mogok Blue Treasure is not only the world’s largest cabochon-cut sapphire, originating from Myanmar (ex-Burma), as per Guinness World Records, but also the world’s largest polished unheated Burmese sapphire of gem quality, as attested to by two prominent gemological laboratories.
Designed by the famous jewellery house Etcetera, which boasts several world auction records in previous years, the necklace is enhanced with exaggerated rose-cut sapphire and diamond prongs. These support the weight of the gargantuan sapphire, yet appear nearly invisible, allowing the gem to be viewed in its entirety. The jewelry of Etcetera, founded by Edmond Chin in 2000, is characterised by technical innovation, and often incorporates new methods of mounting and presenting gems, giving each of their jewels a unique and sometimes unexpected appearance.
After New York the “Ultimate Mogok blue treasure” will be exhibited in Geneva, Switzerland, Singapore, Bangkok, Thailand and Hong Kong prior to the landmark sale
