Emeralds, particularly from the fabled Muzo mines in Colombia, have been performing well at auction due to their exceptional rarity, striking colour, fire and intensity, as well as high degrees of transparency.
On offer in this sale is The Green Jewels – a pair of 7.32 and 6.46 Carats Natural Colombian No Clarity Enhancement Muzo Emerald Earrings (estimate: HK$8,000,000 – 12,000,000/ US$1 Million – 1.5 Million) which exhibit a matching homogenous lush green colour and possess remarkably rare high clarity, and are complemented by dazzling pink diamonds.
The earrings are best matched with another notable highlight, a Colombian No Clarity Enhancement Emerald and Diamond Necklace by Cartier (estimate: HK$10 Million – 15 Million/ US$1.25 Million – 1.9 Million).
Sapphires from Kashmir are almost a legend as they are extremely rare nowadays due to exhausted mines. The ever-growing demand and their ‘blue velvet’ texture and tint, continuously drive intense bidding at auctions. Offered in this sale will be a Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet (estimate: HK$6 Million – 8 Million/ US$750,000 – 1 Million) by another famous American jeweler, David Webb.
Ceylon sapphires are also a collectors’ favourite due to their captivating flair. This sale will present a Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Rivère Necklace by Etcetera (estimate: HK$5.5 Million – 8.5 Million/ US$700,000 – 1.1 Million). Designed by Etcetera’s founder and renowned jewellery designer Edmond Chin, each unheated Ceylon sapphire is arranged alternatively with a white diamond in the classical manner, and innovatively based with colourless synthetic sapphires by titanium wire and titanium links paved with sapphire melee, making the gems appear to float above the neck in a cloud of light.
Burmese sapphires are becoming increasingly rare due to limited mining, and thus they often fetch high prices at auction. One of the sale highlights this season is a 15.32 Carat Burmese ‘Royal Blue’ Sapphire Ring (estimate: HK$2.5 Million – 3.5 Million/ US$320,000 – 440,000) which radiates an alluring midnight blue glow.
Paraiba tourmaline, a new variety of semi-precious gemstones discovered in Brazil in the late 1980s, has taken the jewellery market by storm in recent years and is now a rising star in auction rooms. Collectors are charmed over by its stunning neon blue colour, high transparency, and luminous brilliance due to the presence of copper in the stones. On offer this season is a 14.20 Carat Brazilian Paraiba Tourmaline and Diamond Ring (estimate: HK$5.8 Million – 8.8 Million/ US$750,000 – 1.1 Million).
JADEITE
Due to limited production in Burma and its continued popularity among Asian buyers, jadeite remains one of the most sought-after gemstones in Asia.
This season, Christie’s is delighted to present three exquisite jadeite pieces that exhibit high translucency and a highly saturated green hue – a Jadeite Bead and Diamond Necklace, with beads of a uniform size and in the same exceptional quality (estimate: HK$26,000,000 – 35,000,000/ US$3.3 Million – 4.5 Million), a remarkably translucent Jadeite Bangle (estimate: HK$3,800,000 – 5,800,000/ US$480,000 – 750,000), and a pair of Jadeite Double Hoop and Ruby Earrings (estimate: HK$2.2 Million – 3 Million/ US$280,000 – 380,000).
Jadeite Bead and Diamond Necklace. Estimate: HK$26,000,000 – 35,000,000/ US$3.3 Million – 4.5 Million. © Christie's Images Ltd 2021.