Two ultra-rare bangles steal the show at Sotheby's Hong Kong

22 avril 2021

Two ultra-rare bangles steal the show at Sotheby's Hong Kong

HONG KONG.- Two breathtaking bangles, each representing in their very own way the pinnacle of bracelet design, stole the show at Sotheby’s Hong Kong yesterday:

• A diamond and rock crystal bracelet combining the legendary artistry and craftsmanship of Cartier with a phenomenal 63.66-carat pear-shaped internally flawless white diamond, sold for HK$46,877,000 / US$6,036,350.

Lot 1744. Cartier | 'L’Odyssée de Cartier – Parcours d’un Style' 63.66 carats Internally Flawless Diamond and Rock Crystal Bangle. Estimate: 40,000,000 - 65,000,000 HKD. Lot sold: 46,877,000 HKD (6,036,350 USD). Courtesy Sotheby's.

Set with a pear-shaped diamond weighing 63.66 carats, decorated with calibré-cut rock crystals and brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in 18 karat white gold, inner circumference approximately 170mm, signed Cartier, numbered, French assay and maker's marks, main diamond detachable and can be exchanged with alternative fitting set with a pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.05 carats.

Accompanied by GIA report no. 6213531716, dated 12 March 2021, stating that the 63.66 carat diamond is D Colour, Internally Flawless. Further accompanied by a diamond type classification letter stating that the diamond is determined to be a Type IIa diamond. Type IIa diamonds are the most chemically pure type of diamond and often have exceptional optical transparency.Also accompanied by GIA report photocopy no. 2151032028, dated 2 October 2012, stating that the 1.05 carat diamond is D Colour, VVS1 Clarity.

Further accompanied by a copy of Cartier Information Sheet.

• A sensational jadeite bangle weighing 277.673 carats and described by the SSEF laboratory as “a true treasure of nature” achieved HK$30,425,000 / US$3,917,830. The bangle carries a subtle range of green to vivid green colours that is characteristic of the finest green jadeite-jade from Burma (Myanmar).

Lot 1766. Circle Of Happiness. An Exceptional Jadeite Bangle. Estimate Upon Request. Lot sold: 30,425,000 HKD (3,917,830 USD). Courtesy Sotheby's.

The cylindrical jadeite bangle of vivid emerald green colour and very good translucency. Inner diameter and thickness approximately 55.21mm and 10.12mm.

Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade and Stone Laboratory certificate no. KJ 102405, dated 8 January 2021, stating that the jadeite is natural, known in the trade as "A Jade".Also accompanied by SSEF report and Premium Appendix no. 116050, dated 3 February 2021, stating that the jadeite is with no indications of impregnation and may be called "jadeite-jade (Fei Cui) type A" in the trade. The appendix letter further stating that the jadeite bangle is "characterized by a subtle range of green to vivid green colours......is typical and characteristic of the finest green jadeite-jade from Burma (Myanmar).

The two pieces were offered in the ‘Magnificent Jewels’ sale which totalled HK$418,588,600 / US$53,901,650, with 62 % of the bidders participating online. This auction was presented in Sotheby’s new innovative format, a hybrid of online advance bidding culminating in the drama of a live auction, with 50% of the lots offered receiving advanced online bids.

Other highlights in today’s sale included:

A 39.88-carat emerald-cut D colour, Flawless, Type IIa unmounted diamond sold for HK$28,005,000 / US$3,606,204, confirming the appetite of the market for large high-quality diamonds. (N.B. last week, a 41.50-carat D color, Flawless, Type IIa round diamond sold for $4.9 million at Sotheby’s New York).

Lot 1764. An Exceptional 39.88-carat Emerald-cut D colour, Flawless, Type IIa Unmounted Diamond. Estimate 30,000,000 - 40,000,000 HKD. Lot sold: 28,005,000 HKD (3,606,204 USD). Courtesy Sotheby's.

The emerald-cut diamond weighing 39.88 carats.

Accompanied by GIA report no. 5212032811, dated 29 January 2021, stating that the diamond is D Colour, Flawless, Excellent Polish and Symmetry; further accompanied by diamond type classification letter stating that the diamond is determined to be a Type IIa diamond. Type IIa diamonds are the most chemically pure type of diamond and often have exceptional optical transparency.

In addition to the sensational jadeite bangle mentioned above, jadeite pieces generated a lot of interest in the sale. A unique jadeite bead, diamond and ruby necklace, composed of 47 slightly graduated intense green jadeite beads achieved HK$23,407,000 ($3,014,119) and a pair of imperial green jadeite earrings soared to HK$6,951,000 / US$895,080 - a record for a cabochon ‘Imperial Green’ Jadeite (price per carat: US$35,101), marking this as the highest value lot sold to an online buyer in the sale.

Lot 1765. Timeless Harmony. A Fine and Unique Jadeite Bead, Diamond and Ruby Necklace. Estimate 30,000,000 - 40,000,000 HKD. Lot sold: 23,407,000 HKD (3,014,119 USD). Courtesy Sotheby's.

Composed of forty-seven slightly graduated intense green jadeite beads of very good translucency, decorated with highly translucent brilliant emerald green jadeite hoop, ruby and diamond-set dividers, completed by a clasp centring on an oval diamond weighing 2.02 carats, surrounded by brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in 18 karat white gold, length approximately 700mm. Jadeite beads approximately 11.95 to 10.95mm; jadeite hoops approximately 17.81 x 5.19 x 5.50mm, 17.77 x 5.20 x 5.37mm, 17.66 x 5.12 x 5.23mm and 17.74 x 5.10 x 5.26mm.

Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory certificate no. KJ 102498, dated 4 February 2021, stating that the jadeite tested is natural, known in the trade as "A Jade". Also accompanied by GIA report no. 1368486401, dated 4 November 2020, stating that the 2.02 carat diamond is D colour, SI2 clarity, Excellent Polish and Symmetry.

Lot 1681. Pair of Imperial Green Jadeite Earrings. Estimate 3,000,000 - 4,000,000 HKD. Lot sold: 6,951,000 HKD (895,080 USD) - a record for a cabochon ‘Imperial Green’ Jadeite (price per carat: US$35,101) . Courtesy Sotheby's.

Each set with a )highly translucent vivid emerald green oval jadeite cabochon weighing 13.30 and 12.20 carats, mounted in 18 karat white gold, post and butterfly fittings.Cabochons approximately 16.61 x 13.68 x 6.75mm and 16.63 x 13.67 x 6.45mm.

Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory certificate no. KJ 102410 and KJ 1012411, dated 8 January 2021, stating that the jadeite are natural, known in the trade as "A Jade". Also accompanied by SSEF report and appendix letter no. 116052, dated 3 February 2021, stating that the jadeite is with no indications of impregnation and the colour may also be called 'imperial green' in the trade. The appendix letter further stating that "The attractive colour......is typical and characteristic of the finest green jadeite-jade from Burma (Myanmar)".