P100-m Romanov sapphire up for auction in Geneva
GENEVA, Switzerland — Royal jewels from some of Europe's top dynasties go up for auction in Geneva on Wednesday, led by a spectacular 198-carat sapphire linked to Russia's imperial Romanovs.
The vivid blue Ceylon sapphire, measuring roughly three by 3.5 centimeters, entered the Romanov collection in the mid-19th century although the gemstone itself is far older, Andres White Correal, chairman of jewellery at auctioneer Sotheby's, told AFP.
The sapphire was listed for sale after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution and eventually made its way from the Bolsheviks via several owners to Cartier, which created its current diamond-set bracelet mounting in 2015, he said.
Sotheby's said the sapphire was once mounted by Faberge as a diamond brooch. Its sale value is estimated at between 850,000 and 1.7 million Swiss francs (P65.6 million to P131 million).
Other highlights of the Sotheby's sale include a diamond tiara by Mellerio, estimated at 300,000-500,000 Swiss francs (P23.1 million-P38.6 million), and an opal-and-diamond Cartier jewel created for Mary Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, valued at up to 1.1 million Swiss francs (P85 million).
The piece was worn at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
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