Kashmir blue sapphires are celebrated for their exceptional blue color, velvety appearance and place in gemstone history. Among these remarkable gems, sugarloaf cabochon cut sapphires occupy a distinctive position. Their high, sloping surfaces showcase the depth of the blue color, creating a bold and elegant appearance. Three notable examples are the Vanderbilt Sapphire, the Van Cleef & Arpels Kashmir Sapphire and the Thomas Fortune Ryan Kashmir Sapphire. Beyond these documented gemstones, the story of the Peacock Blue pendant presents an even larger Kashmir sapphire whose reported weight places it among the most remarkable stones associated with the region.
1. The Vanderbilt Sapphire – 42.68 Carats
The Vanderbilt Sapphire is a magnificent 42.68-carat sugarloaf cabochon cut blue sapphire from Kashmir. Its rich royal-blue colour and distinctive cut make it a notable example of the beauty associated with fine Kashmir sapphires. The gemstone is mounted in an early twentieth-century Tiffany & Co. diamond-set brooch with an important family history. Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt presented the jewel to her daughter, Gladys Moore Vanderbilt, Countess Széchényi. The sapphire achieved international attention when the brooch was offered at Phillips Geneva on November 10, 2025. It sold for approximately US$ 3,500,000 establishing a significant auction milestone for this historic Kashmir gemstone.
2. The Van Cleef & Arpels Kashmir Sapphire – 31.53 Carats
The 31.53-carat Van Cleef & Arpels Kashmir Sapphire is another outstanding sugarloaf cabochon cut gemstone. Although it does not have a formally established individual name, it is commonly identified through its association with the celebrated jewelry house. The sapphire displays the distinctive appeal of Kashmir blue, with a substantial cabochon form that highlights the color and visual depth of the stone. Set in a Van Cleef & Arpels ring, it combines the beauty of a significant natural gemstone with the craftsmanship of a prestigious jewelry maker. The ring appeared at Christie’s New York in April 2012 and achieved a sale price of US$2,658,500, bringing international recognition to this exceptional sapphire.
3. The Thomas Fortune Ryan Kashmir Sapphire – 25.87 Carats
The 25.87-carat Thomas Fortune Ryan Kashmir Sapphire is a notable sugarloaf cabochon cut blue sapphire associated with the distinguished Ryan collection. Like the Van Cleef & Arpels example, it has no formally established individual gemstone name and is identified by its historical association. Its substantial weight, Kashmir origin and elegant cabochon shape make it an important addition to the story of large Kashmir blue sapphires. The gemstone was mounted in a platinum ring with diamonds and attracted considerable attention when it appeared at Sotheby’s New York in December 2015. The ring sold for approximately US$5.12 million, reflecting the strong interest among collectors in rare Kashmir sapphires with distinctive cuts and important jewelry settings.
Sapphire In The Peacock Blue Pendant – Around 65 Carats
One Kashmir blue sapphire stands apart from this list because of its reported size and remarkable historical story. The sugarloaf cabochon cut sapphire set in the Peacock Blue pendant, once associated with the Maharaja of Kashmir, is narrated to weigh approximately 13 to 15 grams, equivalent to around 65 to 75 carats. According to the narrative, the Maharaja presented the pendant to a European diplomat returning to his home, country after completing a distinguished tenure in the region. Neither the pendant nor its magnificent blue sapphire, has made a subsequent public appearance or featured in a major auction. Its reported weight places the sapphire in the Peacock Blue pendant among the most significant Kashmir sapphire stories, preserving the memory of a remarkable jewel linked to the royal history of Kashmir.
For now, The Vanderbilt Sapphire weighing 42.68 carats, should rightly be considered to be, the largest sugarloaf cabochon cut, Kashmir blue sapphire. That until the gemstone from the Peacock Blue pendant, makes an appearance, with reliable documentation.
