Sapphires Information and Price Guide

Information and history of sapphires used in cameo carving and as decorative elements to cameos and intaglios.

Sapphire is one of the two gem-varieties of corundum, the other being ruby (defined as corundum in a shade of red). Although blue is the best-known sapphire color, they occur in other colors, including gray and black, and they can be colorless. A pinkish orange variety of sapphire is called padparadscha. Reference: Wikipedia

The Romans were experts at cameo carvings and there are examples of carved sapphire cameos dating from the 1st century.

A sapphire intaglio ring The circular sapphire intaglio, depicting the head of a lady, facing forward, with upswept hair, within a radiating surround, within a plain mount, French import mark, cameo diameter 1.5cm, ring size T½

Sold for £6,875 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2016

Sapphire cameo of Christ — Cameo; sapphire; half-length figure of Christ with cruciferous nimbus, holding closed book in left hand, right raised in benediction; inscribed. Culture/periodMiddle Byzantine term details Date11thC-12thC

Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum

A PAIR OF ROMAN GOLD, ONYX CAMEO, SAPPHIRE AND PEARL EARRINGS CIRCA 2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D. Each: 1 ¼ in. (3.2 cm.) long

Sold for USD 8,125 at Christies in 2017

Gold, Black Onyx Cameo and Cabochon Ruby and Sapphire Brooch — Gold, Black Onyx Cameo and Cabochon Rubies and SapphiresBrooch 3 round cabochon rubies, 3 round cabochon sapphires, ap. 17.3 dwts.

Sold for $750 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2016

Antique 14k Italian Carved Cameo — 14k yellow gold Italian antique carved sardonyx cameo in mount, with 8 pink sapphires, 2 mm. [2 3/8 x 1 1/4 inches]. Weight .44 ozt.

Sold for $200 at Roland NY in 2018

Necklace with cameo of Veronica's Veil — Necklace with cameo of Veronica’s Veil Maker:Firm of Castellani Date:ca. 1870 Culture:Italian, Rome Medium:Gold, sapphires

Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sapphire and diamond bracelet — apphire and diamond bracelet Composed of multiple rows of textured links, the clasp set with a cameo depicting the profile of Poseidon holding a trident, framed by circular-cut sapphires and single-cut diamonds, length approximately 202mm.

Sold for 5,500 GBP at Sothebys in 2018

Medusa Intaglio Ring — The shoulders and sides of the bezel (head) of this ring are decorated with scrolls on a black enamel ground. The very fine sapphire intaglio (the design engraved into the stone) is Graeco-Roman, dating from the 1st century AD. People The intaglio was probably mounted into the ring in about 1590-1600. It then appears to have entered the collection of the Gonzaga dukes of Mantua. The ducal art collections became the target of dealers, including Daniel Nys, who in 1627 sold to Charles I paintings by, among others, Titian, Raphael, Correggio and Giulio Romano. In 1637, when Charles declined to buy from Nys the Gonzaga gems, Thomas, 14th Earl of Arundel agreed to purchase them through his agent William Petty. Arundel was the most dedicated English collector of his generation, who built a library of 3000 books, exchanged engraved gems with Rubens, and played a role in bringing Van Dyck to London, as well as making collections of antiquities, Renaissance drawings and paintings on the most extensive scale. The range, antiquity and splendour of the objects Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel (1585-1646) acquired put him on a par with great European collectors. As well as paintings and drawings of the greatest importance, he collected works of the classical period. These included cameos and intaglios. His principal agent was the tireless William Petty (possibly born in 1585, died 1639), who in 1638 purchased for Arundel the gem collection of the Flemish dealer Daniel Nys in Italy. The Arundel Collection gems passed by descent to Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough (1706-1758, himself a great collector of engraved gems.The Marlborough Collection was later sold at Christie’s auction house on 28 June 1875. Subjects Depicted The sapphire is engraved with the head of Medusa. In Greek mythology she was one of three sisters, the Gorgons, whose terrifying appearance turned those who saw them into stone. She was beheaded by the legendary hero Perseus. © Victoria and Albert Museum

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