Sotheby’s – catching up on some beauties!
Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels I on October 7th, 2022, was quite the auction for impressive gems. Just a few that caught our eyes were the following:
First up on our list, Lot number 1926, with no estimate listed, a magnificent jadeite pendant. Labeled “An Extraordinary Imperial Green Jadeite and Diamond Pendant,” the piece sold for 33,045,000 HKD (approx. USD$4.2 million).
Why this piece? The evenness of the color, and translucency of the jade, the saturation of the green, all makes this an outstanding piece of jadeite. You should log into the auction house results here to see the video attached to this spectacular pendant. – gr
Most notes from the Sotheby’s catalogue
An Extraordinary ‘Imperial Green’ Jadeite and Diamond Pendant
“Set with a highly translucent jadeite of vivid emerald green colour, carved as a melon, to the brilliant-cut diamond-set surmount, the reverse decorated with two brilliant-cut diamonds, to a black cord, mounted in 18 karat white gold.”
Jadeite approximately 55.25 x 40.80 x 12.25mm.
Accompanied by Gübelin report and appendix no. 22071290, dated 29 July 2022, stating that the jadeite is natural, with no indications of treatment and may also be called “Type A” in the trade. Gübelin Appendix further stating ‘… The natural jadeite jade described in the above…possesses a richly saturated and evenly green colouration, referred to as “imperial green”, combined with the high translucency as well as their very fine texture…makes this green jadeite jade a piece of outstanding beauty and importance.’
An Exceptional and Extremely Rare ‘Imperial Green’ Jadeite Bead, Diamond and Ruby Necklace
Estimated between 30,000,000 – 50,000,000 HKD, the lot sold for 28,447,000 HKD (approx. USD$3.6 million)
Why this piece? All matching large 12-14 mm beads of imperial jadeite? Wow! – gr
Composed of forty-one jadeite beads weighing approximately 753.35 carats in total, of intense emerald green colour and very good translucency, completed by a diamond and ruby-set detachable clasp, length approximately 550mm and 520 mm.
Jadeite beads approximately 13.95 – 13.90 x 13.70 to 11.85 – 11.80 x 11.60mm.
Accompanied by Gübelin report and appendix no. 22081208, dated 23 August 2022, stating that the jadeite are with no indications of treatment and may also be called “Type A” in the trade. Gübelin Appendix further stating that ‘… A matched set of forty-one natural jadeites described in the above mentioned Gübelin Gem Lab reports posses a richly saturated imperial green colouration, combined with the high translucency as well as their fine texture…makes this set of green jadeite necklace a piece of matching beauty and importance.’
Van Cleef & Arpels, Emerald, Ruby, Diamond and Onyx Pendent Necklace
Estimated between 18,000,000 – 22,000,000 HKD, the lot sold for 16,710,000 HKD (approx. USD$2.12 million)
Why this piece? I am personally drawn to the carved emeralds, pierced ruby beads, black onyx spacers … What’s not to like? – gr
Suspending two detachable pendent brooches featuring carved emeralds, ruby beads, the rubies topped by single-cut diamonds, highlighted with brilliant- and rose-cut diamonds, to a similarly set necklace with onyx beads, length approximately 400mm, signed VCA, numbered.
Cartier, Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Estimated between 7,800,000 – 10,000,000 HKD, the lot sold for 10,781,000 HKD (approx. USD$1.37 million)
Why this piece? Look at that color! This trade terminology of “Royal Blue” just doesn’t do it justice. – gr
Set with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 10.45 carats, between two calf’s head-shaped diamonds, size 6, signed Cartier.
Accompanied by SSEF report no. 122221, dated 2 May 2022, Gübelin report no. 22032183, dated 13 April 2022 and AGL report no. 1120914, dated 29 March 2022, all stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating.
Also accompanied by SSEF Appendix Letter, stating that the “sapphire is characterized by a remarkable size and weight of 10.451ct, combined with an attractively saturated blue colour and a very fine purity.”
Further accompanied by AGL Appendix Letter stating that “Traditionally, stones of this color have been described as having a “Royal Blue” hue…the 10.45 cts unheated Kashmir sapphire detailed in this Prestige Report is a gem worthy of special merit.”
Alexandrite and Diamond Pendent Necklace
Estimated between 6,000,000 – 8,000,000 HKD, the lot sold for 5,418,000 HKD (approx. USD$690,000)
Why this piece? 50 carats of alexandrites! WOW! And with that dramatic Brazilian color change. I’d love to see it being worn and moving in and out of daylight to watch the color change. Fabulous! – gr
The articulated necklace composed of variously shaped alexandrites, spaced by heart- and marquise-shaped diamonds, suspending a similarly set fringe to the front, the alexandrites and diamonds weighing a total of approximately 50.59 and 13.28 carats respectively, mounted in platinum, length approximately 420mm.
Accompanied by Gübelin reports stating that ten of the alexandrites ranging from 3.75 to 2.03 carats are of Brazilian origin, displaying a pronounced colour-change.
Also accompanied by GIA report no. 8476946, dated 29 June 2007, stating that the 3.02 carat diamond is F Colour, VVS2 Clarity.
Fancy Vivid Orange-Yellow Diamond and Diamond Ring
Estimated between 5,000,000 – 8,000,000 HKD, the lot sold for 8,568,000 HKD (approx. USD$1.1 million)
Why this piece? I think it’s interesting that the color is Vivid Orange-Yellow. Straight Orange is extremely rare. This is a pretty diamond, and we can see that it has orange. That is something to celebrate and take notice. – gr
Set with a cut-cornered rectangular step-cut fancy vivid orange-yellow diamond weighing 8.88 carats, decorated with tapered baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds, highlighted by brilliant-cut diamonds of yellow tint, mounted in platinum and 18 karat yellow gold, size 5¾.
Accompanied by GIA report no. 2221080873, dated 10 December 2021, stating that the diamond is Fancy Vivid Orange-Yellow, Natural Colour, VS1 Clarity.
Van Cleef & Arpels, Pair of Diamond Ear Clips
Estimated between 1,900,000 – 2,600,000 HKD, the lot sold for 2,772,000 HKD (approx. USD$353,000)
Why these pieces? I love the fact that they are so close to Z, and fancy yellow, but they just do not make the cut. Basically matching color and size, 11 caraters and almost fancy – U-V and W-X color grades. That is amazing! – gr
Each set with an old-mine-cut diamond weighing 11.17 and 11.03 carats respectively, mounted in 18 karat yellow gold, signed VCA, numbered, French assay and maker’s marks.
Accompanied by GIA report no. 2225518668, dated 12 July 2022, stating that the 11.17 carat diamond is W to X range, VS1 Clarity.
Also accompanied by GIA report no. 2225518776, dated 12 July 2022, stating that the 11.03 carat diamond is U to V range, VS1 Clarity.
Natural Pearl and Diamond Sautoir
Estimated between 1,100,000 – 1,500,000 HKD, the lot sold for 1,386,000 HKD (approx. USD$177,000)
Why this piece? Because there are over 600 matching high luster natural pearls, strung to enhance the variety of colors. It is a magnificent necklace. – gr
The front designed as five rows of graduated natural pearls, to the back composed of three rows of natural pearls, measuring approximately from 10.55 to 3.50mm, highlighted at the sides by two shield-shaped panels of geometric design, set with variously shaped diamonds, joined by old European-, single- and brilliant-cut diamond clasp, shortest length approximately 650mm, side panels can be detached and worn as a double-clip brooch, with brooch fitting.
Accompanied by SSEF report no. 124320, dated 31 August 2022, stating that six hundred and nine pearls were found to be natural, saltwater, with no indications of artificial colour modification (based on a sampling).
Harry Winston, Diamond Ring
Estimated between 350,000 – 600,000 HKD, the lot sold for 945,000 HKD (approx. USD$120,000)
Why this piece? Because it is Harry Winston. And it’s a marquise that breaks all the rules for Length to Width preference. This marquise is over 2:1 in Length to width ratio. It should be too long and skinny, and yet, here it is in a Harry Winston ring. It reminds me of a Harry Winston necklace with all marquises, set width to width, and all cut to reveal a dark center – the dreaded “black bow tie.” The necklace was stunning, and actually named “the black tie necklace.” – gr
Set with a marquise-shaped diamond weighing 3.66 carats, flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds, mounted in platinum, size 4¾, maker’s mark for Jacques Timey.
Accompanied by GIA report no. 682091, dated 9 August 2022, stating that the 3.66 carat diamond is E Colour, VVS1 Clarity. Together with the original working diagram stating that the diamond may be potentially Internally Flawless.
Also accompanied by GIA report no. NY 682091, dated 27 August 1974. Further accompanied by Harry Winston, Inc. invoice with original photo stating that the ring is numbered 43022/8/H, and Insurance Appraisal.
