Romanov sapphire bracelet sells for $4.9 million at Geneva auction, far exceeding estimates
GENEVA, November 12, Saudi Arabia Breaking News – A sapphire bracelet linked to Russia's Romanov imperial family sold for more than 4.1 million Swiss francs ($4.9 million) at a Geneva auction on Wednesday, significantly exceeding its pre-sale estimate, auction house Sotheby's said.
The diamond-set bracelet features a 197.80-carat cushion-shaped Ceylon sapphire believed to have belonged to the Russian imperial family. Sotheby's had estimated its value at between 850,000 and 1.7 million Swiss francs ($1 million and $2 million).
The buyer was identified only as a private collector.
According to Sotheby's, the sapphire likely originated from the Mughal Empire in South Asia before entering Russia's imperial jewel collection during the 19th century. The auction house described it as one of the most significant surviving gemstones associated with the Russian imperial court.
The stone was worn by Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, mother of Czar Nicholas II, at the Winter Palace Ball in 1903, an event regarded as one of the final major ceremonies of imperial Russia.
Sotheby's said the sapphire appeared in official inventories following the Russian Revolution before being included in Soviet government sales of imperial treasures.
The final auction price was more than twice the upper end of Sotheby's pre-sale estimate, reflecting the substantial premium paid for the historic gemstone.
Source: Associated Press (AP)
