Jewel of The Month - December 2024

This December, Hancocks London has chosen a piece of jewellery which combines exceptional rarity and unparalleled craftsmanship as its Jewel of the Month.

The piece in question – an antique Kashmir sapphire and diamond geometric halo ring in platinum - centres on an unheated 1.89ct octagonal step-cut sapphire of Kashmir origin, a gemstone famed for its velvety, rich blue hue and unmatched quality.

Surrounding the sapphire is an intricately designed octagonal halo of French cut diamonds, each meticulously cut and shaped for this ring. The elegance continues with tapering French cut diamonds, leading to an 18ct yellow gold hand-engraved band, finished with delicate millegraining - hallmarks of Hancocks' master craftsmanship.

Guy Burton, Managing Director, Hancocks London, says: “Kashmir sapphires hold an unparalleled place in the world of fine jewellery, and this remarkable example offers a glimpse into the extraordinary beauty of these rare stones that makes them so coveted."

"This ring exemplifies what we are renowned for: sourcing the finest gemstones and handmaking them into timeless mini masterpieces with unmatched precision and a dedication to craftsmanship – all rarely seen in today's jewellery world."

The sapphire is accompanied by two reports (AGL and SSEF) stating that the sapphire, weighing 1.89ct, is of Kashmir origin with no gemmological evidence of heat.

ABOUT KASHMIR SAPPHIRES

Kashmir sapphires were first discovered in 1881, high in the remote Zanskar region of the Himalayas, northwest India, following an avalanche. The avalanche revealed a vast, untouched terrain of pegmatitic rock, located 4,500m above sea level, and rich with precious sapphires.

Due to the high altitude and near perpetual heavy snowfall, the mine could only be worked from July-September each year. Miners unearthed some of the finest and largest sapphires ever recorded—some measuring an extraordinary three to five inches—from this glacial deposit for a total of five years, from 1882 to 1887. The mines were mined intensely during this time, but the supply was depleted, and mining was halted. This initial mining period is known as the "old mine," making the origins of these sapphires highly prized for their unparalleled beauty and rarity.