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DIAMONDS AT AUCTION

SOTHEBY’S OCTOBER AUCTION IN HONG TO FEATURE 10.6-CARAT PINK, 100-CARAT YELLOW AND 80-CARAT D-COLOR DIAMONDS

 

Sotheby’s much storied Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale in Hong Kong, which this year will take place on October 7, will feature not only one, and not only two, but rather three spectacular diamonds – each one of which would have been the highlight of the sale on its own.

“It is thrilling to be able to bring together three top class diamonds this autumn, all of which are exceptional in quality and rarely seen on the market, let alone presented in a single sale,” said Yvonne Chu, acting head of Sotheby’s Hong Kong’s jewelry department.

Top billing has gone to a 10.64-carat fancy vivid purplish-pink internally flawless diamond, which has pre-sale estimate of between $19.1 million and $25.5 million.

According to Sotheby’s, the pink stone has been is polished as a radiant cut, with the outline of an emerald-cut diamond and the scintillation of a brilliant-cut diamond. It is mounted in and 18-karat white and pink gold ring between trapeze-cut diamonds.

The 80.88-carat colorless diamond with “excellent color and clarity,” which is said to be one of only five emerald-cut diamonds exceeding 80 carats ever to have been offered at auction. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)

The 10.64-carat fancy vivid purplish-pink internally flawless diamond that will headline the Sotheby’s sale, which has pre-sale estimate of between $19.1 million and $25.5 million. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)

ONE OF ONLY FIVE 80-PLUS CARATERS TO GO ON BLOCK

An 80.88-carat colorless diamond with “excellent color and clarity,” which is getting second billing, is said to be one of only five emerald-cut diamonds exceeding 80 carats ever to have been offered at auction.  

According to Sotheby’s, the giant emerald-cut diamond has been graded as a D-flawless. It was cut from a Type IIa rough gem and has excellent polish and symmetry, and also exceptional transparency. 

Unlike the pink diamond, the colorless stone is being sold unmounted. It has a pre-sale estimated price of between $9.9 million and $12.7 million.

THE DUNHUANG PIPA NECKLACE

The third spectacular diamond that will go on the block at Sotheby’s is a 100.02-carat fancy intense yellow diamond set in a necklace designed by Anna Hu, who was especially commissioned by Sotheby’s commissioned to create the piece around the diamond. 

Called the “Dunhuang Pipa Necklace,” Ms. Hu said she had been inspired by images of women playing the pipa, a traditional Chinese lute, which is depicted on murals in Dunhuang, a desert oasis along the Silk Road.

The necklace is fashioned from 18-karat white gold, with pavé diamond set along the along the neckline. It also can be transformed into a brooch and earring.

One of several jewels by Anna Hu that will be featured in the sale, the Dunhuang Pipa Necklace comes with an estimated price tag of between is $5 million and $6.25 million. Other highlights of the sale include a 37.29-carat Burmese sapphire and diamond brooch previously owned by Elizabeth Taylor, with an estimated price of between $1.7 million and $2.3 million; an 11.88-carat “pigeon-blood” ruby and diamond ring, with a high estimate of $8.2 million; and a jadeite bead and diamond necklace with a $4.1 million high price estimat

The “Dunhuang Pipa Necklace,” featuring a 100.02-carat fancy intense yellow diamond. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)

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