Sapphire connoisseurs know that “Classic Kashmir” is a trade term that has been used in the markets to describe blue sapphires with visual and chemical characteristics consistent with those from the historical Kashmir occurrence in India, namely intense blue colour with a velvety appearance caused by profuse minute rutile inclusions. This designation is typically attributed by gemmological laboratories and passed on along the supply chain down to the end consumer.
Kashmir is the famous high-altitude mining area at about 4,500 meters high in north-west India, in the border with Pakistan in the Himalayas, world renown for the historical production of extremely fine blue sapphires. The mining site, in the Kudi valley, was located in ca. 1881 and extensively explored until 1887, with production gradually dropping until the 1930s. Stones over 10 ct are rare, being highly popular in the market. Famous Kashmir sapphires include the Star of Kashmir (19.88 ct), Jewel of Kashmir (27.68 ct) and Imperial Blue Sapphire (17.16 ct).
In the image, the famous “broche-pince panthère”, the panther brooch in platinum, white gold, diamonds, yellow diamonds and sapphire designed by Jeanne Toussaint of Cartier, made in 1949 for Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. The large blue sapphire, cut en cabochon, weighs an impressive 152.35 ct, remarkably large for that occurrence, and is reportedly from Kashmir. Photos © Cartier
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About the author:
Rui Galopim de Carvalho is a renowned independent Gem Education Consultant, author, luxury industry training expert and popular international lecturer on gemmology and on the history of gem materials. During his 30 year experience as a gemmologist, Rui has studied important collections in both public and private museums, notably the Portuguese Crown Jewels.
Founder of the popular Home Gemmology webinar series launched during the COVID-19 lockdown, Rui has a long history as a gemmology communicator, notably on social media where he is a popular figure.
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