SOTHEBY’S GENEVA BRINGS $108,377,219

A WORLD RECORD FOR A VARIOUS OWNER JEWELLERY SALE

MAGNIFICENT JEWELS AND NOBLE JEWELS SALE

The Private Collection of Suzanne Belperron

Totals $3,459,307 – More Than Tripling the Pre?Sale Expectation

THE BEAU SANCY

One of the Most Important Royal Diamonds

Ever to Come to Auction Sells For CHF 9,042,500 / $9,699,618

Sotheby’s Geneva, 15 May 2012 – Tonight Sotheby’s Auction House set a new world record of $108,377,219 for a various owner jewellery sale, with the conclusion of its two?day Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Sale, surpassing the record set by Sotheby’s Geneva in November 2010 of $105 million.

Over the two days 24 lots sold for over $1 million. The Beau Sancy, one of the most important royal diamonds to ever come to auction, sold for CHF 9,042,500 ($9,699,618). The result achieved by the celebrated jewel brought the total for the May Jewellery
auctions to an outstanding total of CHF 104,298,625 ($111,836,526), almost doubling the pre?sale low estimate of CHF 54 ?85 million*.

Speaking after the sale, David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Department in Europe and the Middle East and Co?Chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland commented: “The legendary Beau Sancy is a truly magical stone that has entranced generations of royal owners and continues to exert a powerful influence over all who see it. Its supreme historical importance was reflected tonight in the strength of the bidding and the remarkable result realized. The two days of sales of jewellery at Sotheby’s this week achieved a record total with 94% of lots finding buyers and doubling the pre?sale estimate: proof that privately sourced jewels, many with noble provenance are highly sought after.”

The Beau Sancy
No less than five bidders competed for The Beau Sancy (lot 595), driving the price to an outstanding CHF 9,042,500 / $9,699,618 almost five times the pre?sale low estimate of CHF 1,850,000?3,650,000 ($2?4 million).
After a battle of nearly eight minutes, the celebrated jewel was finally bought by an anonymous buyer bidding over the telephone.
The Beau Sancy has been the privileged witness of 400 years of European history. Passed down through the Royal Families of France, England, Prussia, and the House of Orange, the celebrated stone was worn by Marie de Medici in 1610 at her coronation as Queen Consort of Henri IV. The 34.98 carat modified pear double rose cut diamond would have come from the area of Golconda in India, the sole source of diamonds until the discoveries in Brazil in the 1720s.
Noble Jewels
Continuing Sotheby’s distinguished history of offering jewels with aristocratic provenance, Sotheby’s Geneva sixth annual sale of Noble Jewels brought a combined total of CHF 23,196,025 ($24,881,680), tripling the presale low estimate of CHF 7,022,500?11,705,000 ($7.532.825?12,555,602).

In addition to the Beau Sancy, the Noble Jewels section was highlighted by The Murat Tiara (lot 594) which realized CHF 3,610,500 (3,872,875), in an eleven minute bidding battle between three telephone bidders, more than double its pre?sale low estimate of CHF 1,375,000?2,285,000 ($1,500,000?2,500,000). This impressive pearl and diamond jewel was created in 1920 by Joseph Chaumet for the marriage of Prince Alexandre Murat (1889 – 1926) to Yvonne Gillois (1894 – 1961). The diadem boasts one of the largest natural pearls ever recorded, at 303.37 grains. As stated by the SSEF laboratory, “the main pearl in the center is outstanding in its size and one of the most important pearls certified so far at the SSEF” and “natural pearls of this size, quality and with a documented historic provenance are very rare and thus the described tiara with three large pearls represents a very exceptional treasure”.

Among the other gems of great historical significance which belonged to prestigious European families was a diamond brooch set with a 7.33 carat Fancy deep yellow diamond coming from the collection of Prince Filippo Corsini (lot 589) which fetched CHF 902,500 ($968,085), (est. CHF 275,000?460,000/ $300,000?500,000).  The central diamond was offered to the Corsini family by Charles Edward Stuart (1720 – 1788), commonly known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie” in the 1770s, most certainly in gratitude for their support during his years of exile.
From the Estate of the late Prince Kinsky, an Important natural pearl and diamond necklace made circa 1880 (lot 593) achieved CHF 1,142,500 ($1,225,525), quadrupling its pre?sale low estimate of CHF 275,000–460,000 / $300,000–500,000).

Enjoying a similarly illustrious provenance a selection of jewels coming from the collection of a member of the Princely Family of Thurn und Taxis was highlighted by a very fine emerald and diamond demi?parure (lot 592), composed of a necklace and a pair of earrings, which was purchased by Albert, 8th Prince of Thurn und Taxis around 1890. Estimated at CHF 200,000?300,000/ $220,000?330,000, these superb jewels were sold for CHF 962,500 ($1,032,445).  A fine sapphire and diamond brooch/pendant circa 1910 (Lot 588) which belonged to the Italian Countess Adriana Guillichini della Gherardesca was sold for CHF 386,500 ($414,587) (est. CHF 185,000?370,000/$200,000?400’000.

Magnificent Jewels
The Magnificent Jewels section was led by two necklaces from a royal collection. The first, a necklace suspending a detachable pear?shaped D colour diamond weighing 41.40 carats (lot 734) achieved CHF 4,050,000 ($4,344,314) against an estimate of CHF 2,750,000?4,550,000 ($3,000,000?5,000,000). The necklace was purchased by Amer Radwan who has named it “Dubai Vision”.

The second, a magnificent emerald and diamond necklace designed by Bulgari circa 1970 (lot 733) sold for CHF 2,200,000 ($2,359,874) against an estimate of CHF 1,400,000?2,800,000 ($1,500,000?3,000,000).

The sale comprised a group of white diamonds which were D Colour ? the finest colour grading for white diamonds. An exceptional diamond ring by Harry Winston set with a 36.43 carat internally flawless diamond (lot 721) realised CHF 3,834,500 ($4,113,153) (est. CHF 3,200,000?5,000,000/ $3,550,000?5,500,000). This stone had been found to be part of the rare Type IIa subgroup comprising less than 2% of all gem diamonds. Diamonds of this group are chemically the purest of all diamond crystals and often have extraordinary optical
transparency.
The offering of coloured diamonds included an important ring centering on a fancy intense purple?pink brilliant?cut diamond weighing 3.71 carats, between shoulders set with marquise?shaped rubies (lot 731) which fetched CHF 5,122,500 ($5,494,752 USD) against an estimate of CHF 1,850,000?3,650,000/ $ 2,000,000? 4,000,000).

A Superb Private Collection of Gems and Jewels
At the core of the sale was also a superb private collection of gems and jewels which brought a combined total of CHF 17,648,325 ($18,889,002) almost doubling the pre?sale low estimate of CHF 9,059,000?14,288,500 ($9,695,848?15,292,982). Comprising over 80 pieces, this exceptional collection has been assembled by two generations of a family, from the mid?1960s until present day.
Reflecting the passion for gemstones that animated the family for 50 years was a pair of impressive Kashmir sapphire clips (lot 674) which sold for CHF 1,482,500 ($1,586,720) (est. CHF 825,000?1,370,000/ $900,000?1,500,000), a ring set with a cabochon Burmese sapphire weighing 58.56 carats (lot 666) which made CHF 1,314,500 ($1,406,909) (est. CHF 730,000?1,275,000/ $800,000?1,400,000) and a very rare and highly important multi?coloured sapphire and diamond suite (lot 663) which surpassed its estimate of CHF 50,000?
910,000 and sold for CHF 1,482,500 ($1,586,720).

“White Glove” Sale for the Personal Collection of Suzanne Belperron
On May 14th all 60 Jewels from the Personal Collection of Suzanne Belperron (1900?1983), one of the most important jewellers of the 20th Century, sold for the outstanding total of CHF 3,224,950 ($3,459,307), more than tripling the pre?sale expectation of CHF 902,000?1,365,000. The sale – the most significant collection of jewels by Suzanne Belperron ever presented at auction ? was a “white glove sale”, with 100% sold by lot and value. Demand for seminal pieces from Belperron’s oeuvre was intense with international bidding driving prices
well above estimates.

(Reuters) – A “Mirror Diamond” necklace bearing five Mughal empire pendant diamonds with emerald drops has been offered for private sale at a price of $20 million, auction house Bonham’s said on Monday.

It said the Mughal Mirror Diamond necklace was an extraordinary example of the colorless, rough diamonds discovered in the ancient Golconda mines in India during the height of the Mughal empire across the Indian Subcontinent in the 16th and 17th centuries, which were reserved for royalty.

At 28 carats, the central stone is the largest mirror or table-cut diamond known to survive, and the five diamonds (ranging from 16 to 28 carats) are the largest known matching set of table-cut diamonds from the Mughal 17th century. It is most likely that the diamonds belonged to a Mughal emperor.

“The presentation of the Mughal Mirror Diamond necklace, containing five extraordinarily well matched mirror diamonds, is causing great excitement in the world of jewelry scholars as well as potential buyers,” Bonhams CEO and International Head of Jewelry Matthew Girling said in a statement.

To both Mughal emperors and Indian maharajas, the quality and size of the gem were of paramount importance, and table-cut diamonds were valued for their clarity and size above all else.

At the time, gem-cutters only sought to remove areas with cracks and inclusions, so the shape of the rough gem determined the final outline of the polished stone. As a result, gems had an irregular and asymmetrical form as the cutter was striving for the maximum size possible.

Weighing approximately 96 carats in total, the skillfully rendered table-cut diamonds were designed to emphasis the beauty of the stones without sacrificing their size.

The table-cut description refers to a thin diamond section with a flat top and bottom, where the diamonds have also been faceted around the edge. This faceting acts as a border around the irregular shape of the diamond, to produce a refractive brilliance.

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has speculated that the five near colorless diamonds were cut from the same crystal.

The Columbian emerald drops were added at a later date, probably late 18th/ early 19th century.

Pendants such as the necklace were an important element of Mughal jewelry and were used as turban ornaments and armbands.

With changing political regimes, tastes and fashions it is remarkable that the Mughal Mirror Diamond necklace has survived, even with its old setting intact, Bonham’s said.

Many of India’s royal pieces of jewelry were subjected to the 19th and early 20th century fashion for replacing and recycling old jewels with new, Western settings or re-cutting into brilliant diamonds. And as the Mughal Empire weakened and collapsed, many of the royal jewel collections were dissipated or lost.

INCLUDING THE BEAU SANCY

A DIAMOND OF SUPREME HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE

JEWELS WITH ILLUSTRIOUS ARISTOCRATIC PROVENANCE

and IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

On 14 and 15 May 2012, Sotheby’s Geneva will present over 700 lots in its sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. The two?day sale will be spearheaded by one of the most important historic diamonds ever to come to auction: The Beau Sancy.

Commenting on the forthcoming sale, David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Department in Europe and the Middle East and Co?Chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland said: “With fascinating Noble Jewels led by the legendary Beau Sancy diamond, several important private collections including the personal jewels of Suzanne Belperron, and many exceptional gemstones and period creations, the May auction should be a delight for all lovers of fine Jewellery”.
The Beau Sancy
At the heart of the sale will be The Beau Sancy, a diamond which has been the privileged witness of 400 years of European history. Passed down through the Royal Families of France, England, Prussia, and the House of Orange, the celebrated stone was worn by Marie de Medici in 1610 at her coronation as Queen Consort of Henri IV. The 34.98 carat modified pear double rose cut diamond was almost certainly discovered in the area of Golconda in India, the sole source of diamonds until the discoveries in Brazil in the 1720s (est. CHF 1,850,000?3,650,000/ $2?4 million, illustration above).

Noble Jewels
Continuing Sotheby’s long tradition of offering jewels with aristocratic provenance, Sotheby’s 

Geneva 6th annual sale of Noble Jewels will bring together gems of great historical significance having belonged to prestigious European families.
Following the record for a tiara established by Sotheby’s Geneva last May1, the forthcoming auction will include The Murat Tiara, an impressive pearl and diamond jewel created in 1920 by Joseph Chaumet for the marriage of Prince Alexandre Murat (1889 – 1926) to Yvonne Gillois (1894 – 1961) (est. CHF 1,375,000 ? 2,285,000/ $1,500,000 – 2,500,000, illustrated left).

Prince Alexandre Murat, through his ancestry with Joachim Murat (1767 – 1815) who married Caroline Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister, was associated with one of the most glorious periods of French history. The heroic cavalry charges of Joachim Murat, an inn?keeper’s son from Gascony, contributed to the victories of Iéna, Eylau and Austerlitz and from 1808?1814 he and Caroline were popular rulers of the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily. The diadem boasts one of the largest natural pearls ever recorded, at 303.37 grains. As stated by the SSEF laboratory, “the main pearl in the center is outstanding in its size and one of the most important pearls certified so far at the SSEF” and “natural pearls of this size, quality and with a documented historic provenance are very rare and thus the described tiara with three large pearls represents a very exceptional treasure”.

In addition to the Beau Sancy, the sale will feature several jewels with royal provenance. Among them is a necklace suspending a detachable pear?shaped D colour diamond weighing 41.40 carats and coming from the collection of a member of a royal family (est. CHF 2,750,000?4,550,000 / $3,000,000?5,000,000, illustrated left).

Another piece of historical importance is to be found in a diamond brooch set with a 7.33 carat Fancy deep yellow diamond coming from the collection of Prince Filippo Corsini, a descendant of the illustrious Florentine family whose history dates back to the 12th century and whose lineage includes many popes (est. CHF 280,000?480,000/$300,000?500,000, illustrated below).

The central diamond was offered to the Corsini family by Charles Edward Stuart (1720 – 1788) in the 1770s, most certainly in gratitude for their support during his years of exile. Most commonly known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie”, Charles Edward Stuart was the second Jacobite pretender to the thrones of Great Britain and Ireland. His attempt to make the Stuarts regain the crown ended with the Battle of Culloden in 1745 which precipitated his exile to France and Italy. It is possible that the diamond was inherited by Prince Charles from his mother Marie?Clementina Sobieski, Granddaughter of King John III of Poland and, therefore, was originally part of the Sobieski Jewellery Collection.

Thirteen jewels from the Estate of the late Prince Kinsky will also be presented, shedding light on the history of one of most illustrious and oldest dynasties originating from Bohemia. Tracing its roots back to the thirteen century, the House of Kinsky was part of the most powerful and influential families in the region in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its members served in high diplomatic or military positions of the Habsburg Monarchy and subsequently the Austrian Empire. An Important natural pearl and diamond necklace made circa 1880 evokes the splendour and lavish style of the imperial court (est. CHF 275,000–460,000 / $300,000–500,000, illustrated).
Enjoying a similarly illustrious provenance is a selection of jewels coming from the collection of a member of the Princely Family of Thurn und Taxis.  Among them is a very fine emerald and diamond demi?parure, composed of a necklace and a pair of earrings, which was purchased by 
Albert, 8th Prince of Thurn und Taxis around 1890, most certainly as a wedding present for Austrian Archduchess Margarete whom he married on 15 July in that year (est. CHF 200,000 ? 300,000/ $220,000 – 330,000).
Another highlight from this group is an attractive sapphire and diamond bandeau dating rom early 1930, accompanied by a fitted case which was painted by Princess Margarete of Thurn und Taxis (est. CHF 75,000?130,000/ $80,000? 140,000, illustrated above left).
Typical of the early twentieth century is a fine sapphire and diamond brooch/pendant dating from circa 1910 which belonged to the Italian Countess Adriana Guillichini della Gherardesca (est. CHF 185,000?370,000/$200,000?400,000, illustrated below).

Posted on April 20, 2012

Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s

Two fancy colored diamonds sold for record prices at auction this week—and they were both bought by the same man.

At Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels auction on April 18, Brett Stettner of Stettner Investment Diamonds bought a fancy blue diamond ring from Tiffany & Co. for $2.4 million, or $687,712 per carat. The 3.4 ct. VS1 marquise fetched the auction’s top bid and went for several times more than its high estimate of $500,000.

According to Sotheby’s, that is a world record per-carat price for a fancy blue diamond, topping the 20.17 ct. fancy blue diamond ring that sold for $9.9 million ($490,952 per carat) at Sotheby’s New York in October 1994.

The previous day, Stettner set a U.S. record when he paid $15.7 million for the Clark Pink, a ring-set, 9 ct. cushion-cut, fancy vivid purplish pink diamond at a Christie’s New York auction.

Stettner says that he feels “humbled” to have won such rare stones.

“These are unique wonderful colored diamonds,” he says. “I am looking for diamonds that I can create value with and pass that value on to my clientele. There are not many stones like these. They are priceless.”

Overall, the Sotheby’s auction took in $43.1 million, the highest-ever total for a spring sale of jewelry at Sotheby’s New York, topping last April’s then-record tally of $39.4 million.

Other auction highlights:

• A 23.02 ct. cushion-shape step-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond ring went for $1.8 million ($81,429 per carat).
• A natural pearl and diamond necklace from Cartier Paris, circa 1935, went for $1.3 million.

NEW YORK (AP) — Signed pieces of Cartier and Tiffany jewelry belonging to a late Montana copper mining heiress have sold for nearly $21 million at a New York City auction.

Christie’s said Tuesday’s sale from the estate of Huguette Clark had caught the attention of collectors worldwide. The star of the collection, a rare pink cushion-cut 9-carat diamond ring, sold for nearly $16 million.

The auction house had estimated the collection of 17 pieces would bring between $9 million to $12 million.

The reclusive Clark was 104 when she died last year at New York’s Beth Israel Medical Center. Her father was U.S. Sen. William A. Clark, once one of America’s wealthiest, building a fortune from mining copper and railroads.

The Carolina Emperor, weighing 64.82 carats, showpiece of the Nature Research Center in the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.

A pair of gem enthusiasts from Hiddenite, North Carolina, have found themselves in the fortunate position of deciding what to with a 50.5-carat emerald, which they discovered while exploring the nearby North American Emerald Mine.
Kevin and Libby Barrieault had joined members of the Mountain Area Gem and Mineral Association Club (MAGMA), for a trip to mine. It was the first time in 40 years that the mine’s owners had allowed non-commercial miners to explore and work on the property.
According to Libby Barrieault, they hit pay-dirt pretty quickly. They were at the site for not much more than five minutes before making their discovery, she told WCNC, a television station in Charlotte.
In the opinion of Jamie Hill, the owner of North American Emerald Mine, the Barrieault’s emerald could bring them about $10,000. But Libby is not sure whether it is for sale. “I don’t think I’ll sell it, but we’re not sure yet” said told WCNC. “I might just put a wire around it and wear it like it is. It’s beautiful.”
The Barrieaults were not the only gem enthusiasts to get lucky. A day later, a couple from Florida discovered a 30-carat emerald, and then a rock embedded with several emeralds, estimated to weigh 370 carats in total.
The community of Hiddenite is well known to gem enthusiasts around the United States. The area around it is a host to 63 different types of naturally occurring gems and minerals, including emerald, aquamarine, sapphire, garnet, topaz, amethyst, citrine, rutile and tourmaline.
The town also is the original source of hiddenite. A green, chromium-rich, transparent variety of spodumene, the gemstone was named after William Earl Hidden, who played a key role in identifying the gemstone. The town of Hiddenite is reportedly named after the stone and not the individual.
North Carolina is a the most prominent known source for emeralds in the United States. Just last month, three uncut emeralds, with one weighing 1,225 carats, and the largest cut emerald in North America were given to the state Museum of Natural Sciences by an anonymous donor. The gems will be exhibited in the new $56 million Nature Research Center in the state capital of Raleigh.
The two other uncut emeralds weigh 685.5 carats and 591.5 carats, respectively. The cut stone, known as the Carolina Emperor, weighs 64.82 carats and is styled after one once owned by Russian ruler Catherine the Great.
Chris Tacker, the museum’s curator of geology, estimates the emeralds were in the ground for 250 million years to 300 million years before being discovered.

March 28, 2012 by John Rosen

S.F. jeweler wins national design competition

Giraux Fine Jewelry in San Francisco took first place in a Jewelers of America competition. The winner, featuring three tanzanite gemstones set in 14k rose gold with 54 micro-pave set diamonds, was awarded first place in the women’s jewelry over $5,000 category.

The win was thrilling for lead designer Raffi Kendirjian, who created the ring using fragments from a larger broken tanzanite gemstone. The fragments were re-cut into ” uneven half moon” shapes, which make the design both unconventional and unique.

       14 KT White gold diamond and tanzanite ring by Raffi Kendirjian

Amazing jewelry design by Raffi Kendirjian. Winner of the women’s over $5,000 category.

The annual Retail Design Competition is “the only national platform that showcases the craft and creativity of independent jewelers,” said Robert Headley, chief operating officer at Jewelers of America.

In Memoriam: Mike Roberts of the Roberts Yogo Sapphire Mine

By Robert Kane and Richard W. Hughes

March 21, 2012—In 2005, Alaskan gold miner Mike Roberts was offered a trade. Lanny Perry owned the Vortex Sapphire Mine at Yogo Gulch, Montana and said he’d swap it straight across for Roberts’ gold mine outside of Fairbanks. “Why not?” thought Roberts. And that’s how he came to own what is now known as the Roberts Yogo Sapphire Mine.

The mine was his passion. He worked it mostly by himself, frequently through the night, staying underground as much as 24 hours at a time. In 2009 he fell off a ladder and barely struggled out. But he recovered and continued to work the blue seam, following the same dream that has pushed miners from the beginning of time. Just a few more feet, just a few more shovels, just a little bit more effort. Happiness and wealth is just around the bend…

During the night of March 19, 2012, Mike Roberts had another accident. This time he was not so fortunate. A distress call went out; he didn’t make it.

Mike Roberts showing with a handful of Yogo sapphires in front of his home at Yogo’s Sapphire Village in July 2010. Click on the photo for a larger image. Photo © Richard W. Hughes

    The first thing one noticed about Mike Roberts was his smile, which is evident in the photos here. And if by chance you had the opportunity to visit his mine, you also quickly discovered his enthusiasm for the work. One day in July 2010, we visited his subterranean world, diving some 400-feet down into the Vortex extension of the world famous Yogo dike. With a depth of 7000 feet, the Yogo dike is the world’s largest proven sapphire deposit.

Mike Roberts and Bob Kane examining the tailings outside the Roberts Yogo Sapphire Mine. Click on the photo for a larger image.
Photo © Richard W. Hughes

The Yogo deposit was discovered back in the 19th century, and worked for several decades by an English company. As anyone who has seen one can testify, in sizes above one carat, Yogo stones are world class sapphires. Sadly, perhaps only one in 10,000 of the crystals that are found will cut stones above a carat. This has kept Yogo sapphires as an inside secret. Few are traded outside the country, with the lion’s share being gobbled up by collectors in the northwestern US.

Map of central Montana showing the location of the Yogo mine. Click on the map for a larger image.
Map © Richard W. Hughes

Mike Roberts working the sapphire-bearing vein at the Roberts Yogo Sapphire Mine. Click on the photo for a larger image.
Photo © Robert Kane

In the 19th century, the famous Tiffany & Co. gemologist George F. Kunz was sent a cigar box of stones by the original miner, and the famous NY jeweler has remained a strong fan of the blue stones from Big Sky. According to Roberts, Tiffany remained one of his biggest customers, but he just didn’t produce enough for their needs. Now, with Roberts’ death, it looks like Yogo sapphires could become even more scarce.

Mike showing us a handful of sapphires straight from the jig at the Roberts Yogo Sapphire Mine. He had an uncanny nose for ore; we were stunned watching him wash just a bit and then pulling out so many fine stones. Click on the photo for a larger image. Photo © Robert Kane

Richard Hughes and Mike Roberts. Click on the photo for a larger image. Photo © Robert Kane

Mike Roberts clearly knew the risks. And yet he loved his “underground mansion.” As we spoke with him in 2010, he nonchalantly described his previous accident—what for ordinary folk like us would be akin to kissing death straight on the lips.

He brushed it off. Working underground and alone, the danger was self-evident. No different than the mountain men who journeyed into the American wilderness centuries before. Living off the land, trapping, hunting, prospecting, dreaming. But as he spoke of the risks, his blue eyes sparkled like the sapphires he sought. The spark was there.

Two fine sapphires from Yogo Gulch, Montana. Photo courtesy Robert E. Kane & Fine Gems International; © Tino Hammid.

Mike Roberts lived his dream and died with boots firmly on. He was a 19th century mountain man working in the 21st. Showing us all that life has far less to do with timing than hard work and passion.

Mike, we were so lucky to have known you. Catch you on the backside, somewhere down the 541. Wherever we end up, we’ll find time to sit down together and share a beer, a burger and a tale or three. Sounds like Utica, doesn’t it? Yes, let’s meet in Utica.

Postscript

Mike Roberts is survived by his wife and three children. Our hearts go out to them.

References

For more photographs of Mike Roberts and the Yogo Mine, see the Montana Sapphire album in our Shooting Galleries.

• Stiffler, Emily (2011) Blue gold. ExploreBigSky, June 19.
• Stukey, Katie (2012) Great Falls man dies in accident at Yogo mine near Utica. 3KRTV.com, March 20.

Views expressed in this article are the authors’ opinions alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization that employs them. Those organizations bear no responsibility and assume no liability for content on this website, nor are they liable for mistakes or omissions.

This article is <http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/mike-roberts-yogo-sapphire.htm>

Posted 21 March, 2012; last updated 24 March, 2012

When it became apparent to that something was up, I decided to check up on my suppliers. But to do so required some chicanery. I packed all the rubies and sapphires in a box ready to be inspected the following day, but not in the sequence that they had intended. Consequently, to their total dismay, I inspected the lots of rubies during the morning hours, and the lots of sapphires during the afternoon hours.

I was shocked! All the ruby estimates that I gave in the morning were at least 10 percent lower than what I had given the previous evening, and all the sapphire estimates in the afternoon were at least 10 percent lower than what I had estimated in the morning.

That night I woke up in a cold sweat, brought on by a revelation. If I had examined the rubies in the morning and the sapphires in the afternoon I would have saved myself a great many dollars. But, if as a business strategy I buy the rubies in the morning sell them in the afternoon, and buy sapphires in the afternoon and sell them in the morning, I’d be rich!

 
So inspired was I that considered creating a small, closed community of dealers to whom I would disclose this amazing secret. I would be the leader and get a piece of the action. I even thought of a name for this society: MBAR – Morning Blues and After Red.

So I decided to approach my best friend and my gemology student (with distinction, 1977), Rafi Zadikof, one of the gem industry’s leading experts, and disclose to him my new-found understanding.

The moment I began explaining my premise, the man looked at me with a surprised expression which was soon transformed into a patronizing smile. “GOOOOOOD morning Menahem!!” he laughed. For the record, it was 5 PM.

“That’s a secret? Dealers around the world have been aware of this for ages. And what about emerald dealers in Israel who always buy in the northern-facing room and sell in the southern-facing room, where the color is excited by the sun light? And what about buying lighter gems in Bangkok knowing that they will look much better in New York City, and what about a dark gem in New York which will sell as a very attractive open color in Bangkok?”

“I knew that, but never made the connection. Why does nobody ever talk about it?” I asked Rafi. “How can it be that it is not mentioned anywhere?”

He answered as he accompanied me to the door “I do not know why nobody talks about it, but I am sure that even the cave men sold their rubies in the cave around the fire where they looked better, and traded for them them during the daytime hours when they looked less attractive. But don’t talk about it! It’s one of the last secrets we have in the gem trade.”

And so I divided my gems into morning and afternoon items. And since it is the trade’s last secret, I decided to keep it as such. Until now that is.

It is with a heavy heart that I report, according to an article from the Great Falls Tribune, Yogo Sapphire Mine Owner/Operator, Mike Roberts was killed in a mining accident.

“A mine accident near Utica killed a Great Falls man sometime Monday night or early Tuesday morning, according to the Judith Basin County Coroner’s Office.

Deputy Coroner Dick Brown said in a press release that Michael Duane Roberts, 54, was killed in a Sapphire Mine accident that was reported early Tuesday morning. The exact time of the accident is unknown, Brown said. Roberts was the only person in the mine at the time and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of death is under investigation.”

I am posting this with a photo of Mike doing what he loved…from the Yogo Website.

This is extremely sad news for many in the local community who shared an evening with Mike & Laura just a couple nights ago at the “Art and Yogo Gala” benefiting Special Olympics.
A good time, a good cause and an education on Montana’s famous sapphires came together at the Holiday Inn – the event raised money for Special Olympics.
“It’s a cause dear to our hearts,” said Laurie Roberts of the Roberts Yogo Co. near Utica. She described the basics of Yogo mining, including the absolute darkness in the shafts and the filthy laundry that results, during the event.
Mike Roberts said the sapphires are nicer to mine than gold. “Everybody in Montana likes Yogos,” he said.  The evening was a huge success!
That is how the Great Falls Tribune reported it.

But this page from the Special Olympics Event Program says so much about the man…

click for a larger image…

Thank you to Dick Hughes for posting this information on his Ruby-Sapphire page on Facebook

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