A large, brilliant sapphire that was once part of Russia's royal jewels has sold for nearly five million dollars at an auction in Geneva.
The stone, which measures approximately 30 x 35 mm, is now set on a diamond-encrusted bracelet designed by Cartier Jewelers.
Historical records of this stone show that for the first time, Maria Feodorovna, the Queen Mother (mother of Tsar Nicholas II), wore a necklace in 1903 at the "Winter Palace Festival" in St. Petersburg, with this 200 carat stone in the middle.
After the Russian Revolution and the fall of the Romanovs, a Polish opera singer named Gana Walska bought this gem.
This ruby was later acquired by Cartier Jewelers; They also mounted this stone on a diamond studded bracelet.
The new owner of this bracelet is an unknown collector.
📷 EPA