Size Of The Zanskar Crown

In recent context the name Zanskar Crown has been used, to refer to a fine Kashmir blue sapphire once owned by the Maharajas of Kashmir. The cushion cut blue sapphire, was said to have exited the treasury of the Maharajas in the early 1920s.

Rumors now claim that the Zanskar Crown has been traced to a collection in Europe. The narrative seems to hold, details have however been scarce. When talking about the size of the Zanskar Crown sapphire, it is relevant to know that the gemstone entered the royal treasury, as a piece of rough sapphire.

Rumors now claim that the Zanskar Crown has been traced to a collection in Europe. The narrative seems to hold, details have however been scarce. When talking about the size of the Zanskar Crown sapphire, it is relevant to know that the gemstone entered the royal treasury, as a piece of rough sapphire.

Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1857 – 1885) is believed to have acquired, the large piece of rough blue sapphire. There are a few mentions of the weight of the rough gem, weighing around 500 carats. The general claim is that the name Zanskar Crown was assigned, after the piece of rough was cut and polished into a cushion shaped gemstone. The big sapphire was stored in the treasury under tight security.

Some reports put the weight of the Zanskar Crown at 170 to 200 carats, others provide an estimate of 200 to 220 carats. Mere visual inspection can at best be approximations – it is expected that more accurate size estimates of the Kashmir blue sapphire, would be revealed in the near future.

It was Maharaja Pratap Singh (1885 – 1925) who took over the reigns from Maharaja Ranbir Singh, who had an exorbitant necklace designed and crafted – to showcase the Zanskar Crown. There are no details about the gemstone having been recut, so the size of the gem is unlikely to have changed at this point.

Faced with financial difficulties Maharaja Pratap Singh, is believed to have sold (early 1920s) the Zanskar Crown along with few other valuable gemstones. The sapphire was believed to have travelled to Europe along with its new owner. Information of subsequent transfers or sales, remained confidential.

With recent reports claiming that, the Zanskar Crown had been traced – talk about the size of the gemstone is expected to increase. It is not known whether the Kashmir sapphire, has been recut at some point. With no indication of an intent to sell the gemstone, it might be a while before authenticated information, related to the Zanskar Crown is made available.

NOTES

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