James J. Hill Sapphire sold
The StarTribune.com reports the gem's sale for a record high bid of $3.064 million at a New York City auction earlier this week, however, indisputably left officials of the Minnesota Historical Society in a pleasant state of shock at their unexpected windfall. James J. Hill gave his wife the 22.66 carat sapphire on Dec. 24, 1886.
"We're still reeling from the news," said Nina Archabal, Historical Society director.
Myfoxtwincities.com reports the money will be put toward the Hill House endowment, meant to preserve the home, which is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
The sale of the Kashmir sapphire set two world auction records – top sale price and record price per carat for a sapphire.
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