A rare conch pearl, coloured diamond and diamond brooch, by Etcetera. Photo Christies Image Ltd 2011

Designed as a blossoming flower centering upon a conch pearl pistil, within a conch pearl shell surround accented by vari-cut pink and colourless diamonds and a petal pavé-set with similarly-cut and coloured diamonds, joined to the brilliant-cut colourless, yellow and brown diamond sepal extending to the stem, mounted in 18k white gold, 10.9 cm long. Price Realized HK$3,980,000

Literature: David Federman and Hubert Bari, The Pink Pearl: A National Treasure of the Carribbean, Milan (2007), page 173 

Christie's. HONG KONG MAGNIFICENT JEWELS. 29 November 2011. Hong Kong. www.christies.com