Famous Sapphires in History: Tales of Elegance & Intrigue

“[The Star of India] has a more or less indefinite historic record of some three centuries.” - George Kunz

One of the largest and most famous sapphires in the world, the Star of India is a symbol of mystery. So intriguing and beautiful that it was once stolen by clever thieves, this gemstone is finally back in safe hands.

The Star of India’s journey from ancient times to today began in Sri Lanka. The exact date is still a mystery, but loud whispers say it was discovered during the mid-19th century.

This gemstone legend rings in at a mind-blowing 563.35 carats. It’s almost flawless with stars on either side that become visible when stricken by light.

The greyish blue gem was part of an impressive collection at the Paris Exposition in 1900 when it was procured by gem expert of Tiffany & Co., George Kunz. 

It spent a significant portion of its life in the American Museum of Natural History but was stolen, alongside other historical gemstones, in 1964. The thieves, who climbed in through a bathroom window, were lucky enough to find the sapphire was being “protected” by a broken alarm.

“Murph the Surf” and his two accomplices were arrested but there was no sign of the Star of India. Some time later, one of the thieves led authorities to a bus locker in Miami where the stone was finally recovered.

Today, it lives at the American Museum of Natural History. Now, we imagine, complete with a working security system.

“It’s simply not a stone you can wear casually.” - Rebecca Guggenheim

Renowned for its deep blue hue and historical connections to the Logan family, the Logan Blue Sapphire has taken many turns in its journey from Sri Lanka to becoming a treasured part of the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection.

At 422.98 carats, not only is this a true gemstone legend, but it’s also one of the largest blue faceted sapphires in the world.

The Logan Blue Sapphire was owned by Sir Victor Sassoon, an Italian businessman and hotelier from a wealthy family. He possibly acquired it from an Indian Maharaja but the story goes back further. This cushion-cut sapphire, roughly the size of a chicken egg, was first owned by a Sri Lankan native, who was beheaded after failing to share the discovery with his leader, according to one New York jeweller.

American diplomat, M. Robert Guggenheim, recognised the gem’s appeal in 1952 and bought it from Sassoon as an extravagant gift for his wife, Rebecca. As the story goes, the stone was so heavy that Rebecca needed a shoulder strap to bear its weight.

The name “Logan” comes from the surname Rebecca acquired when she later married American politician, John A. Logan. 

She donated the famous sapphire to the Smithsonian Institution in 1960 and it’s been on display in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington since 1971.

A fascinating and muddled history brought the Stuart Sapphire to its place in the British Imperial State Crown. Its symbolism within the British royal regalia makes this one of the most interesting historic gemstones ever.

The Stuart Sapphire is believed to have originated in Asia but its exact location is unknown, with sources flitting between present-day Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Kashmir.

Wherever its story began, the 104-carat gem first became part of royal legend in the 17th century, with many historians agreeing that the first royal owner was King Charles II from the House of Stuart.

Triggering a rocky start to his reign, Charles took to the throne in 1660 just after his father was executed.

From that moment, the sapphire was passed through generations of the power-hungry family, even being smuggled to France and witnessing attempted rebellions.

One inheritor of the Stuart Sapphire, Henry Benedict Stuart, was sent to Italy to become a catholic priest. Once he died in 1807, it’s hard to say exactly what happened to the sapphire.

Historians through the ages have attempted the uncover the truth. The accepted story is that an Italian dealer met a merchant from Venice who claimed he owned the Stuart Sapphire. The dealer took the merchant at his word and transported the sapphire to England, where it took its place at the rear of the state crown.

The Stuart Sapphire is a historical gem that’s deeply ingrained with the brutal and often murky history of the royal family. It has its imperfections, including a drilled hole that enabled the stone to be worn as a pendant. But that doesn’t detract from the stone’s allure: It’s a gem oozing with historical value even more than monetary value.

“There is no question that the Rockefeller Sapphire should be considered a masterpiece.” - Christie’s

With its Indian origins and glamorous fate, the Rockefeller Sapphire has long been a symbol of wealth and legacy. It has a deep association with the Rockefeller clan - the archetype of a successful family living the American dream.

At 62.02 carats, the sheer scale of the Rockefeller Sapphire is a sight to behold. 

Destined for a life of luxury, John D. Rockefeller (businessman and philanthropist) bought the stone from an Indian Maharajah in 1934. 

A leading gem dealer, Raphael Esmerian, worked with Pierre Cartier to re-cut the stone and turn it into a brooch for Rockefeller’s wife, Abby. 

It was sold in 1971 and passed through a couple of owners before finding itself back in the hands of the Esmerian family. Raphael’s son, Ralph, bought the gemstone legend for approximately $1,500,000.

It has since been mounted on a platinum ring and sold to an American private dealer as part of an impressive collection of gemstones. The Rockefeller Sapphire picked up $2,850,000 at an auction in St Moriz before Ralph Esmerian, who seemed to have an unbreakable attraction to the famous sapphire, bought and sold it once more.