The Extraordinary and Auspicious 28.28-carat Heart-shaped D-colour Internally Flawless Diamond and Seed Pearl Pendant Necklace (est. HK$23 – 28 million)

Sotheby’s Hong Kong will hold its bi-annual Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 7th April 2009. The sale showcases exceptionally important and rare diamonds of the highest quality, as well as precious gemstones, and natural, exquisite pearls and jadeite. The 223 lots on offer have an estimated value in excess of HK$210 million.

QUEK Chin Yeow, Deputy Chairman and Head of Jewellery Department, Sotheby’s Asia, said, “We anticipate clients will be more selective; however, savvy buyers are offered unprecedented saleroom opportunities to acquire top diamonds and jewellery at reasonable estimates. We have fantastic pieces in our April sale, including a very rare and perhaps unique 32.84-carat unheated Burmese double-cabochon star sapphire, a perfect lucky 28.28-carat D-colour internally flawless heart-shaped diamond mounted in a most 2 stylish necklace, a 12.13-carat cushion-shaped fancy purplish pink diamond ring, a pair of exquisite peapod jadeite earrings and a very fine jadeite “Guanyin” pendant.”

FLAWLESS DIAMOND
The outstanding highlight of the sale is the Magnificent and Auspicious 28.28-carat Heart-shaped Dcolour Internally Flawless Diamond and Seed Pearl Pendant Necklace (est. HK$23 – 28 million). The 28.28-carat diamond represents the pinnacle of white diamonds - of the best D-colour, internally flawless clarity, the most sought-after Type IIA purity plus excellent polish and excellent symmetry as graded by the esteemed Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Such remarkable attributes are indeed extremely rare, denoting this is a fine example of the highest quality diamond available. The impressive and auspicious diamond weight of 28.28 carats further adds to the allure of this elegant and stylish jewellery piece. The uniqueness of design is augmented by the delicate seed pearl tassel, emphasising the elegance of the heartshaped diamond. The necklace is designed by renowned jewellery designer, James de Givenchy, founder of New York-based jewellery brand, Taffin. He is also the Creative Director of SOTHEBY’S DIAMONDS.

A Pair of Very Fine Marquise-shaped D-colour Flawless Diamond Earrings totalling 16.58 carats (est. HK$11 – 14 million) will also attract intense bidding. Weighing 8.02 carats and 8.56 carats respectively, these perfectly matched flawless marquise-shaped diamonds are among the top quality, flaunting the purest Type IIA material, excellent polish and excellent symmetry. Their superb qualities are augmented by their notable sizes, making this jewellery incomparably precious.

It is very rare to encounter fine quality pink diamonds of over 10 carats in the market. However, such a rarity is on offer in this sale: Exceptionally Large 12.13-carat Cushion-shaped Fancy Purplish Pink Diamond Ring (est. HK$17.5 – 22 million). Such kind of impressively-sized pink diamond has not been offered in the market since Spring 2007 at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. Nestled within a delicate micro-pavé diamond-set frame, this perfectly shaped diamond displays distinctive and captivating purplish pink colour which distinguishes it from other jewels. Its rarity coupled with reasonable estimate is expected to garner much attention from collectors.

Blue diamonds are so rare that they have long been highly sought-after by collectors, setting many world records at recent auctions. In Autumn 2007, a 6.04-carat fancy vivid blue diamond set the price-per-carat record for a gemstone at auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, breaking the previous record that had stood for over 20 years. This season, Sotheby’s Hong Kong is honoured to offer yet another desirable blue diamond jewellery - the Exquisite 3.72-carat Emerald-cut Internally Flawless Fancy Intense Blue Diamond Ring. Estimated at HK$19 – 22 million and bearing comparable attributes to its 2007 counterpart, the present fancy intense blue diamond flaunts its noble emerald-cut, superbly saturated blue colour and internally flawless clarity, making this diamond ring a truly rare find in the coloured diamond market.

PRECIOUS GEMSTONE

In varying cultures, star sapphires have special significance, and are worn as talismans to protect from evil (as was the Victory Stone /das Siegstein of Germany in the 17th century). In the coming sale, an Unparalleled 32.84-carat Unheated Burmese Double-cabochon Star Sapphire (est. HK$2.6 – 3.3 million) will be on offer. This highly significant star sapphire possesses all the qualities of a great gem –  sumptuously saturated blue colour, transparent clarity and remarkable size. This truly exquisite gemstone displays not only a single aster (star stone), as most other asteria do, but also two equally fine and distinct six-ray stars on both domes on the double-cabochon, promising fierce bidding among connoisseurs. Gracefully mounted on a platinum ring set with pink and yellow diamonds, this highly coveted piece of jewellery is enthralling with its whimsical design - the ring can be worn as a reversible necklace pendant and as such both domes bearing the natural six-ray stars can be seen by revolving the sapphire.

Asterism is an incredible optical phenomenon delivered by a cabochon sapphire, whereby numerous well oriented exsolved needle inclusions (known as “silk”) occur naturally. Most asteria are semi-translucent to opaque and have low colour saturation. This star sapphire is a very exceptional natural gift: groups of ultrafine needles display the distinct asterism, but without reducing transparency or softening the alluring and intense blue colour. This type of rare sapphire makes its debut in Hong Kong in the upcoming sale, representing an unprecedented opportunity for collectors.

A further highlight among the coloured stones is the 13.76-carat Columbian Emerald Ring (est. HK$1.8 – 2.3 million), displaying its spectacularly luminous green colour with crystalline clarity. Certified as originating from Columbia, the most notable source for emeralds of vibrant colour and fine quality, this piece has all the characteristics of a quality emerald.

PEARL

A Rare and Unique Set of Natural Pearl Necklace and Earrings (est. HK$6.7 – 7.8 million) will undoubtedly highlight the sale. 10 strands of petite natural purple seed pearls intertwine with lines of white diamonds; 7 large natural sea pearl drops (ranging in size from 10.00mm–12.95mm X 15.95mm to 10.95mm-13.20 X 22.65mm) suspend elegantly from the necklace, matching the natural sea pearl earrings perfectly. With the desire and demand for natural pearls around the world intensifying, fierce bidding is expected on these exquisite pearl jewellery pieces.

JADEITE

Equally charming is A Splendid Pair of Jadeite Peapod Earrings (est. HK$2.5 – 3 million) of excellent quality and vibrant “lao-heng” emerald green colour. Understated and demure in its design, this pair of highly translucent jadeite earrings presents the finest craftsmanship and quality. Peapods symbolize growth and prosperity in the Chinese tradition; here, the three peas in each earring represent luck, wealth and longevity, together symbolise good fortune.

Another impressive jadeite piece is the Spectacular and Serene Jadeite ‘Guanyin’ Pendant (est. HK$2 – 2.5 million) whereby, in traditional oriental culture, ‘Guanyin’ goddess represents peace and calm, bestowed upon the pendant’s wearer. This carefully crafted jadeite pendent displays a vibrant and luminous green colour and excellent translucency. Measuring an exceptional size of 48.10mm X 32.00mm X 7.0mm, the pendant is highlighted by a yellow diamond on top and an 18K white gold cover at the back. It comes with a crystal display stand.

In addition to this fine collection of jadeite jewellery, the Spring sale will also showcase a Double-strand Jadeite Bead Necklace (est. HK$4 - 5 million) comprised of 78 usually translucent jadeite beads with diameters ranging from 5.93 to 10.80 mm. The imperial green jadeite beads - alternated with brilliant colourless diamond beads - create a glamorous masterpiece. In 2007, an almost identical single jadeite bead necklace was auctioned, becoming the top lot of the sale. This double strand piece will certainly enthral the saleroom.

Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Travelling Exhibition
5th – 6th March Shanghai
8th – 9th March Beijing
14th – 15th March Singapore
17th – 18th March Bangkok
21st – 22nd March Taipei