Lot 2053. A fine Burmese Mogok ‘pigeon blood red’ ruby and diamond pendant necklace. Estimate HKD 7,800,000 - HKD 10,000,000 (USD 1,010,527 - USD 1,295,547). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.

The articulated necklace designed as a series of circular and marquise-cut diamond swags with graduated oval and cushion-shaped ruby detail, the front central pendant set with an oval-shaped ruby, weighing approximately 2.36 carats, within a circular-cut diamond border, terminating in an oval-shaped ruby, weighing approximately 3.07 carats, within a marquise and circular-cut diamond surround, spaced by a circular and pear-shaped diamond and V-shaped diamond link, mounted in platinum and gold, 43.0 cm

Accompanied by report no. 82145 dated 25 September 2015 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the rubies are of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating and the colour of a majority of these rubies may also be called ‘pigeon blood red’ in the trade; also accompanied by an appendix stating that the ruby necklace possesses extraordinary characteristics and merits special mention and appreciation. The rubies have been carefully selected for this necklace based on their highly matching and saturated colour and their very fine purity. The small inclusions found by microscopic inspection and the analysed properties are consistent with those rubies originating from the reputed Burmese ruby deposits in Mong Hsu (a majority of the described rubies) and the Mogok valley. Their attractive and saturated colour is due to a combination of well-balanced trace elements in these gemstones, characteristic for the finest rubies from Burma (Myamar). Due to the setting, there are limitations for the colour grading of these rubies, however for a majority and notably the largest of these rubies, the colour may be poetically referred to as ‘pigeon blood red’. Assembling a matching selection of natural rubies from Burma of this quality and size is rare and exceptional 

Two reports nos. 76655 and 76654 dated 26 September 2014 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the 3.07 and 2.36 carat rubies are of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating and the colour of these rubies may also be called ‘pigeon blood red’ in the trade

Six reports dated from 21 December 2009 to 22 October 2014 from the Gübelin GemLab stating that the six rubies weighing from 3.07 to 1.51 carat are of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating and this colour variety of ruby may also be called “pigeon blood red’ in the trade

Eight reports dated from 12 January 2015 to 23 June 2015 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that eight diamonds weighing from 0.50 to 0.24 carat range from D to E colour, VVS1 to VS1 clarity 

Christie's. Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels, 29 November 2016, Hong Kong, HKCEC Grand Hall