Soviet authorities originally offloaded the historic jewel in the 1920s after deeming that it lacked artistic or historical importance. Socialite Ganna Walska later acquired the stone through Cartier in 1927, incorporating it into various necklaces before it appeared in her 1971 estate sale. The 197.80-carat Romanov Sapphire, which was first mounted with a diamond border by Fabergé, resurfaced at a 1992 auction in Geneva prior to receiving its modern 2015 bracelet setting.
Key points
The historical gemstone achieved more than double its original presale estimate of roughl…: The historical gemstone achieved more than double its original presale estimate of roughly $2 million at the Geneva auction.
Socialite Ganna Walska owned the historic stone for several decades after purchasing it d…: Socialite Ganna Walska owned the historic stone for several decades after purchasing it directly from Cartier in 1927.
The gem currently serves as the focal centerpiece of an Art Deco-style Cartier bracelet m…: The gem currently serves as the focal centerpiece of an Art Deco-style Cartier bracelet manufactured in 2015.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
A 197.80-carat sapphire with a direct link to Russia’s imperial past has sold for $4.9 million at Sotheby’s in Geneva, far exceeding expectations. The stone, once part of the Russian Crown Jewels and worn by Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna at the 1903 Winter Palace Ball, was offered as the centrepiece of a Cartier bracelet and had a presale estimate of up to 1.7 million Swiss francs, or roughly $2 million, as per Sotheby’s website.
The sapphire, known as the Romanov Sapphire, carries a history that stretches back centuries. Its journey from the Russian imperial court to a modern auction room is a story of revolution, exile and reinvention, and its final sale price reflects the enduring appeal of objects with a royal past. Read more about it, as per the details on the auction house's website, here:
A sapphire from the Romanov era
The Romanov Sapphire is a 197.80-carat natural, unheated Ceylon sapphire, according to certificates from SSEF and Gübelin. Its unusual faceting style points to a Mughal-era origin, suggesting it may have entered the Russian Crown Jewels long before…
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