Phillips Hong Kong Auction Features Vivids
Gary Roskin –
Roskin Gem News Report –
Fancy Vivid color diamonds are outstanding rare beauties in the gem world. Their unmistakable color leaves no doubt that they are important. In the diamond grading scale for color, a Fancy Vivid color grade represents the ultimate saturation for a colored diamond. When you are wearing a Fancy Vivid colored diamond, there is no doubt this is an exceptional gem!
In this week’s Phillips Hong Kong auction, there were a number of Fancy Vivid colored diamonds we want to point out.
There was a 15 carat Fancy Vivid Yellow round brilliant, a 1.38 carat Fancy Vivid Purplish-Pink cushion shape brilliant, a 1.79 carat Fancy Vivid Yellow pear shape brilliant, and a grouping of 3 vivids, a 0.35 carat Fancy Vivid Orange-Yellow hexagonal step cut, with a 0.63 carat Fancy Vivid Orangy-Yellow modified shield cut, and a 1.61 carat Fancy Vivid Orange-Yellow modified shield cut.
Investment?
Interestingly, according to Peak Magazine, SPH Media, Singapore, there were jewels in this auction worthy of a “diversified investment portfolio.” Buying gems and jewels for monetary investment, being part of a diversified investment portfolio, is an entirely different conversation, and one that we are NOT going to have here.
As for beautiful pieces of estate jewels, now we can talk! Phillips Hong Kong had several fine items that were auctioned today (and yes, some of the ones we are going to highlight here were also noted in Peak Magazine)!
Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond and Diamond Ring
Set with a brilliant-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing 15.51 carats, between two triangular-shaped diamonds, mounted in platinum and yellow gold. Accompanied by a GIA report no. 1142257492, stating that the 15.51 carat diamond is Fancy Vivid Yellow, Natural Color.
Estimated to sell for HK$7,400,000 – 9,700,000 ($950,000-1,250,000), sold for HK$8,890,000 ($1,136,000)
Saturation of color is everything! This diamonds screams yellow! – gr
Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink Diamond, Pink Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Set with a cushion-shaped fancy vivid purplish pink diamond weighing 1.38 carats, within a spiraling dome-shaped mount set with circular-cut pink sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in pink gold. Accompanied by GIA report no. 6183148259, stating the diamond is Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink, Natural Color.
Estimated to sell for HK$2,400,000 – 3,500,000 ($320,000-450,000), it did not sell today.
Of interest with this piece is the fact that it comes with an GIA report that is more than 5 years old, “… and may require an update.” We can assume that Phillips did caution the seller regarding the older report. Most saavy buyers of important gems will insist on having an updated report – something less than 3 years old. Diamond grading reports are not only opinions, but new technologies can sometimes detect treatments that were not detectable when the gem was last examined. – gr
Ruby and Diamond Bracelet
Set with twelve cushion-shaped, oval and circular-cut rubies weighing approximately 24.59 carats in total, spaced by kite-shaped diamonds, mounted in white and yellow gold, length approximately 172 mm.
Accompanied by Gübelin report no. 24021041, stating that the rubies are of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating, and that a few of the rubies are called pigeon blood red.
Estimated to sell for HK$1,800,000 – 2,400,000 ($230,000-300,000), this beautiful bracelet sold for HK$1,524,000 ($195,000)
This was interesting in how the kite-shaped diamonds were used to frame the rubies. This may have influenced potential buyers, drawing their attention away from the suite of unheated Burma rubies, which of course is where the bracelet’s value is concentrated. – gr
Ruby and Diamond Ring
Set with an oval ruby weighing 4.01 carats, within a surround of brilliant-cut diamonds, shoulders set with brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in white and yellow gold. Accompanied by an SSEF report no. 126811, stating that the ruby is of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating.
Estimated to sell for HK$1,100,000 – 1,400,000 ($140,000-180,000) the ring sold for HK$1,079,500 ($138,000)
Like many rare and valuable gems, the craftsman who cut and polished this ruby was keenly aware of its rarity and the greater need to save as much of the original crystal as possible, hence the unsymmetrical oval shape. Even though we point your attention to the misshapen design, we are not criticizing it. We understand why it was fashioned in this manner, and we accept it. But was that a deciding factor in the purchase? – gr
Emerald and Diamond Ring
Set with an oval cabochon emerald weighing approximately 37.08 carats, within a surround of brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds, mounted in platinum. Accompanied by a Gübelin report no. 24027011, stating that the emerald is of Colombian origin, with indications of minor clarity enhancement.
Once again, we have a note from the auction house that the gemmological report is more than 5 years old and may require an update.
Estimated to sell for HK$800,000 – 1,000,000 ($100,000-130,000), the fabulous emerald cabochon and diamond ring sold for HK$825,500 ($105,500).
It is not often you see a 35 carat Colombian emerald cabochon, and so for that reason alone, this is a rare piece. Being sold in Hong Kong, the seller was relying on the culture of the Far East, having a strong affinity not only for Colombian emeralds, but for imperial green jadeite, that often appears as a large cabochon such as this. – gr
Red Spinel and Diamond Ring
Set with a rectangular step-cut spinel weighing approximately 10.32 carats, within a surround of brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds, shoulders set with brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in white gold, size 7. Accompanied by a gemmological report stating that the gem is of Burmese origin with no indications of heat treatment.
Estimated to sell for HK$380,000 – 500,000 ($48,000-65,000), the spinel ring sold for HK$406,400 ($52,000)
This is interesting in how the corners remain pointed. In gems of a larger size, it is more common to see the corners faceted as on an emerald cut, protecting the corners from being easily chipped. Even with Spinel’s high durability, it is still quite unusual to see these pointed corners. – gr
Paraíba Tourmaline, Ruby and Diamond Ring
Set with an oval paraíba-Mozambique tourmaline weighing approximately 6.00 carats, surrounded by circular-cut rubies and brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in yellow gold.
Estimated to sell for HK$280,000 – 380,000 ($36,000-50,000) this tourmaline ring sold for HK$381,000 ($49,000)
The tourmaline has very nice color, but is noticeably included. The gemmological report has an “H” comment that we will assume stands for heat treatment. – gr
Lavender Jadeite Bangle
The circular jadeite bangle of very good translucency and light lavender colour, inner circumference approximately 180 mm. Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory report no. SJ 230001, stating that the bangle is natural jadeite and no resin is detected.
Estimated to sell for HK$120,000 – 220,000 ($15,000-28,000), this beautiful bangle sold for HK$215,900 ($27,600)
Tap here to see the rest of the Phillips auction results!
https://www.phillips.com/jewels
