Hong Kong, September 2008 Sotheby’s is delighted to announce the Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite 2008 Autumn Sale will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 7th October 2008. This sale, comprising over 320 lots with an estimated total value of HK$500 million*, offers an array of diamonds, gemstones and jadeites inspired by the natural world, and promises to be one of the most prominent jewelry auctions in Asia. The outstanding highlight of the sale is undoubtedly the Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Necklace. This outstanding piece of jewelry, with an estimated value of HK$58-74 million/ US$7.4-9.5 million, features an extraordinary 102.56-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond – the largest fancy vivid yellow diamond ever to appear at auction. The flower pendant (pictured above) can be detached from the necklace and worn as a brooch.
Quek Chin Yeow, Deputy Chairman and Head of Jewelry Department, Sotheby’s Asia, said, “Following on from the strong sale in April 2008 – which featured top quality jewels and gemstones and attracted top Asian and global collectors – our highlights this Autumn include some exceptional diamonds and colored stones. Amongst the rarities is a 102.56-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond mounted in a flower brooch/necklace combination. The diamond is the largest fancy vivid yellow diamond ever to be offered at auction anywhere in the world; this extraordinary diamond, with its impressive size and auspicious golden yellow color, will be a major attraction. A sensational bejeweled butterfly brooch, a special one-of-a-kind design by Carvin French from New York, is an exquisite rarity; it beautifully incorporated numerous yellow and pink diamonds as well as three rare blue diamonds. A highly desirable 34.07-carat cushion-shaped D-color and Internally Flawless diamond makes up a top trio of exceptional lots to be offered this October in Hong Kong.”
COLORED DIAMONDS
It is known in the trade that it usually takes a 100-carat rough to produce a 50-carat polished diamond, and a near or over 300-carat rough to produce a polished 100- carat diamond.
However, large rough diamonds do not always promise to deliver large polished diamonds of gem quality because of the presence of formation irregularity and various natural inclusions in the roughs. In short, large, top quality diamonds are extremely rare and the demand for them has become stronger than ever.
Therein lies the significance of this extraordinary 102.56-carat Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Necklace (est. HK$58-74 million). The stunning 102.56-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond in the necklace is the largest fancy vivid yellow diamond ever offered at auction. In addition to the impressive carat weight, the diamond is in a superb Fancy Vivid Yellow – the finest yellow saturation; it is very rare for large diamonds to achieve such an outstanding grading.
The design of this captivating diamond necklace is inspired by the beauty and elegance of flowers, encapsulating the wonders of the nature and human creativity. The magnificent fancy vivid yellow diamond is surrounded by meticulously hand-made diamond petals, emphasizing the radiance and splendor of the yellow color; the three dimensional design of the petals and the use of black gold for mounting further highlight the purity and saturated yellow hue of the diamond. The colored diamond butterflies also add grace and vivacity. Also noteworthy is that the exquisitely designed flower pendant can be detached from the necklace and worn as a brooch. This is a truly exemplary piece of jewelry for the discerning connoisseur.
A Colored Diamond Butterfly Brooch is another highlight of the colored diamonds; a quintessential piece by Carvin French, the renowned New York jewelry designer. The centre of the brooch is set with one Fancy Vivid Blue diamond and two Fancy Intense Blue diamonds, all certified by the esteemed Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and weighing 5.53 carats in total. Complementing the blue hues are the vibrant yellow and pink diamonds mounted on the wings of the butterfly. Estimated at HK$30-36 million, this sensational brooch displays myriad colored diamonds and will be a much sought-after piece.
COLORLESS DIAMONDS
With demand for top quality diamonds weighing over 15-carat across the world as strong as ever – plus increasing interest from buyers from around the world – there witnessed fierce biddings in previous record-breaking auctions.
Featured among the colorless diamonds and revealing dazzling beauty is, therefore, undoubtedly this impressive 34.07–carat Cushion-shaped D-color and Internally Flawless Diamond Ring (est. HK$47-55 million). Boasting the “whitest” D-color and Internally Flawless clarity (as graded by GIA), this cushion-shaped diamond is the epitome of classic beauty.
Content from our partners
Another mesmerizing DIF highlight is the 22.18-carat Pear-shaped D-color and Internally Flawless Diamond Ring (est. HK$28-32 million). Its top grade D-color and Internally Flawless clarity makes it one of the most coveted pieces of its kind.
COLORED STONES
Rubies are the rarest amongst all major precious stones, and those weighing over 5 carats are increasingly scarce globally. This autumn, Sotheby’s Hong Kong has the great honor to present a magnificent pair of Ruby and Diamond Earrings by James de Givenchy for Taffin (est. HK$30-35 million). The two unheated, natural rubies, weighing 10.02 and 10.91 carats respectively, are well matched in both color and shape. Each surrounded by 8 rose-cut pink and 8 colorless round diamonds, these rubies show a fiery red hue with dazzling brilliance fascinating all connoisseurs.
Also featured among the magnificent colored stones is A Pair of Star Rubies, Alexandrite and Diamond Earrings (est. HK$5.2-6.8 million). The star rubies, weighing 19.45 and 22.13 carats each, are remarkably matched in both color and shape, and boast intense hues and fine clarity. Each oval-cut cabochon perfectly displays the fine, natural and distinctive six-ray “star” phenomenon. Star rubies of such extraordinary quality are very rare today, and this is a truly remarkable and exquisite pair.
A further highlight is a Colombian Emerald and Diamond ring (est. HK$5-6 million). Without any oil treatment, this natural 10.09-carat emerald boasts high clarity and a saturated color. It is embellished by 10 colorless round diamonds, emphasizing the magnificence of the noble green color.
JADEITE
Leading the Jadeite Jewelry section is a stunning and classic Jadeite Cabochon and Diamond Necklace (est. HK$11–13.8 million) featuring a highly translucent jadeite cabochon unusually sized at 28.35 x 23.12 x 11.92 mm. This jade piece is of the most desirable lao-keng material, in rich, translucent emerald green. Despite its thickness, the piece achieves an alluring hue and luminosity rarely seen anywhere in the market. The jadeite cabochon can be detached from the 30-carat diamond necklace and worn as a ring.
Also on offer is a Jadeite and Diamond Pepper Pendant (est. HK$6.8-8 million). Peppers containing many seeds symbolize having a lot of offspring; the Chinese pronunciation of the word ‘pepper’ suggests ‘affluent life’. Being carved as a pepper, this auspicious pendant is meant to bring wealth and luck to the wearer. It has an impressive size and thickness: 51.40 X 17.75 X 10.70mm. This distinctive pendant will be highly valued by collectors for its high translucency and enthralling emerald green color.
Another focal point is A Pair of Jadeite Cabochon and Diamond Pendant Earrings (est. HK$4.5-5.5 million). This matching pair of jadeite cabochon nestles within diamond frames is an exceptional example of fine jadeite jewelry.
* Estimates do not include buyer’s premium
