Lot 196. An Important 42.42-Carat Natural Unheated Burmese Mogok "Cornflower Blue" Sapphire and Diamond Pendent Necklace by Cartier. Estimate: HK$17,000,000 - 25,000,000 (US$2,180,000 - 3,200,000). Sold for HK$20,400,000 (US$ 2.600,000). Photo Tiancheng International

HONG KONG.- Tiancheng International Jewellery and Jadeite Autumn Auction 2016 concluded with triumph today, realising over HK$100 million／US$13 million, with nearly 60% of total value sold and 63% of lot sold. It is noteworthy that all white jade ornaments and jewels were sold and nearly 20% of all auction items were sold above estimate. Together with the spring auction, Tiancheng achieved HK$228 million／US$29 million in 2016, and four auction records were also set in the spring charity auction. 

The top lot of the auction belongs to the 42.42-Carat Natural Unheated Burmese Mogok "Cornflower Blue" Sapphire Necklace by Cartier. Bidding opened at HK$12 million, followed by an intense battle among room bidders and phone bidders. Abruptly another phone bidder jumped in at HK$16.5 million and after a total of 12 bids, the magnificent piece was hammered at HK$17 million, which was eventually sold for HK$ 20.4 million／US$ 2.6 million including the buyer’s premium. This diamond necklace was crafted with a marvellous 42.42-carat sapphire of superb quality by French jeweller Cartier in the 1950s. Created at a challenging time when the world was barely recovering from the devastation of the Second World War, this necklace is a treasure of extreme rarity. It is the epitome of Cartier’s highly selective use of gemstones in the 1950s: the sapphire glows with an intriguing saturated colour and impressive clarity that sets it apart from most stones of its kind, and is accompanied by a pear-shaped D-colour Type IIa diamond weighing over 11 carats. The diamond necklace weighing approximately 27.50 carats is meticulously crafted with a delightful design that evokes the curves of a ribbon flowing gracefully towards the sapphire and diamond pendant

. Lot 196. An Important 42.42-Carat Natural Unheated Burmese Mogok "Cornflower Blue" Sapphire and Diamond Pendent Necklace by Cartier. Estimate: HK$17,000,000 - 25,000,000 (US$2,180,000 - 3,200,000). Sold for HK$20,400,000 (US$ 2.600,000). Photo Tiancheng International

The articulated necklace suspending to the front with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 42.42 carats, anchored by a pear-shaped diamond weighing 11.11 carats, completed by a necklace embellished with trilliant, tapered baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds together weighing approximately 27.50 carats, mounted in platinum, signed and numbered 426, length approximately 368mm. 

Accompanied by AGL report numbered CS1077992, dated 23 August 2016, stating that the 42.42 carat sapphire is natural, Blue colour, of ClassicTM Burmese origin, with no indications of clarity enhancement; along with a special AGL Jewel Folio, stating that 'this sapphire has received the highest origin determination issued by AGL: ClassicTM Burma (Myanmar). Such stones have originated from the historic Burmese locality of the Mogok valley. This beautiful sapphire possesses a deep and richly saturated blue colour that distinguishes a fine gem. The cushion-shape form further provides for a face-up appearance larger than its already impressive 42 ct size and instills a charm factor that is difficult to quantify. Additionally this sapphire also possesses a high clarity, providing a superior degree of transparency. Top quality blue sapphires of this size, colour, and clarity are very seldom recovered from any of the sapphire deposits found around the world...This beautiful gem is additionally mounted in a necklace by one of the most important and influential jewelry houses of Cartier. The elegance of the necklace's design allows for the sapphire to be prominently displayed. Its impressive size of 42.42 carats, additionally places this gem in a very exclusive class with very few top, gem-quality sapphires from any source. ClassicTM Burma sapphires possessing such an extraordinary combination of attributes, superior color and high clarity are exceedingly rare and a tribute to the delicate balance that nature must maintain to allow for such gems to form.';

Two GIA reports numbered 1152349381, dated 18 April 2013, stating that the 11.11 carat diamond is of D colour, SI1 clarity; along with a diamond type classification stating that 'the 11.11 carat Modified Pear Brilliant diamond described in GIA Diamond Grading Report #1152349381 has been determined to be a Type IIa diamond. Type IIa diamonds are the most chemically pure type of diamond and often have exceptional optical transparency. Type IIa diamonds were first identified as originating from India (particularly from the Golconda region) but have since been recovered in all major diamond-producing regions of the world. Among famous gem diamonds, the 530.20 carat Cullinan I and the 105.60 carat Koh-i-noor are examples of type IIa.'; 

Another star item belongs to the Titanium, Sapphire and Diamond “Butterfly” Brooch by Nisan. Bidding started from HK$50,000 and the room bidders were successively outbid at HK$160,000, followed by a bidding battle among two phone bidders from HK$ 160,000 to HK$ 240,000. The refined brooch was hammered at an astonishing price of more than 4 times of its estimate, and sold for HK$ 288,000／US$ 36,900 including the buyer’s premium, with 25 furious bids in total. Brought to life by Thai jewellery brand Nisan, this wonderfully lifelike “butterfly” brooch features wings of titanium rendered an enthralling indigo colour by intense heating, with a lustre and fine texturing that perfectly evokes the radiant scales on butterflies’ wings. Set with sapphires weighing 11.25 carats and diamonds weighing 4.90 carats on its body, wings and antennae, this splendid butterfly is set to dazzle as it flutters by. 

Lot 193. Titanium, Sapphire and Diamond “Butterfly” Brooch by Nisan. Estimate: HK$68,000 - 98,000 (US$8,700 - 12,600). Sold for HK$288,000 (US$ 36,900). Photo Tiancheng International

Modelled as a butterfly, the thorax centring on an oval sapphire, surrounded by circular-cut sapphires extending to the head, the antennae and abdomen embellished with circular-cut sapphires and single-cut diamonds, the wings set with purple and blue titanium, accented by pear-shaped, circular-cut sapphires and single-cut diamonds, the sapphires and diamonds together weighing approximately 11.25 and 4.90 carats respectively, mounted in titanium, 18 karat yellow and blackened gold, signed.

The Blue Zircon and Diamond Ring from Kat Florence also brought sparkles to today’s auction. Beginning from HK$ 38,000 and followed by a total of 31 bids from two phone bidders in 5 minutes, this precious piece was hammered at HK$ 170,000, and sold for HK$ 204,000／US$ 26,200 including the buyer’s premium. The heated bidding tells the market’s strong demand for the exquisite jewelleries, testifying the success of Tiancheng International’s focus on such a niche.  

Lot 81. Blue Zircon and Diamond Ring from Kat Florence. Estimate: HK$40,000 - 80,000 (US$5,100 - 10,300). Sold for HK$204,000 ($ 26,200). Photo Tiancheng International

Centring on a cushion-shaped blue zircon weighing approximately 26.20 carats, to a stylised basket decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds together weighing approximately 1.65 carats, mounted in 18 karat white gold, signed. Adjustable ring size. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. 

Lot 120 Jadeite Bangle is another highlight item that was sold for over HK$ 282,000／US$ 36,200 with the buyer’s premium, which was 5 times of its pre-sale estimate. The bidding battle lasted for 4 minutes with 27 intense bids. Of enchanting translucency and vivid colour, this charming bangle is an embodiment of virtue and fortune in Chinese culture. 

Lot 120 Jadeite Bangle. Estimate: HK$48,000 - 100,000 (US$6,150 - 12,800). Sold for HK$282,000 (US$ 36,200). Photo Tiancheng International.

The jadeite bangle of apple green colour, suffused with emerald green and bright emerald green patches, with flattened inner rim. 

Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory report numbered SJ103375, dated 9 October 2014, stating that the jadeite is natural, known in the trade as 'A Jade'.

Wang Jie, Managing Director of Tiancheng International and Stewart Young, Director of Jewellery Department of Tiancheng International, remarked, “We are very pleased with the stunning results today despite the slow economy. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to every collector. Since our establishment in 2011, Tiancheng International has been devoted to exploring new frontiers and bringing unique designer pieces to the market. This season, we have presented a vast array of important gemstones and branded jewelleries to meet the diversified needs of the market. Apart from the renowned brands like Cartier and Harry Winston, other individual designers such as Jewellery Theatre, Kat Florence and Nisan are also highly desirable in the market. Going forward, we will assuredly continue to present the finest treasures to all collectors!”