KASHMIR SAPPHIRE Kashmir mines, high up in the Himalayan mountains, are home to some of the world’s most finest and rarest gemstones on earth. Kashmir sapphires are so resplendent and distinguished that they proudly set the standards for other blue sapphires around the world. Sapphires from Madagascar, Ceylon, and Burma come close, but Kashmir sapphires still stand out as the pinnacle of them all. What contributes to the uniqueness of these gemstones is their vibrant blue colour combined with a ‘velvety’ texture caused by the inclusion of silk. These precious gemstones also have a prominent history – they were mostly unearthed, in just a short time span of seven years, high up in the stone-cold Himalayas where extreme altitude and remote location made mining extremely difficult. Since the mines were depleted in 1887, subsequent explorations, even with more advanced techniques, have failed to uncover gemstones of similar quality and characteristics. The scarcity of Kashmir sapphires has made these stones tremendously sought-after by gem enthusiasts all around the world, and acquiring such legendary gems is often found extremely challenging since they show rare appearances even in auctions. This 6.60-carat Kashmir sapphire presented at Tiancheng International is exceptional for its colour and clarity, rendering it a beguiling beauty to all discerning collectors.