Sotheby’s Hong Kong: Magnificent?
“This Autumn Sotheby’s presents Magnificent Jewels I, featuring an exquisite collection of signed jewels, from an Art Deco Cartier Tutti Frutti bracelet, to modern Serpenti jewels by Bulgari, and contemporary designs by Cindy Chao and Wallace Chan. A 5.21 carat pigeon blood red ruby, The Red Promise, ignites excitement alongside The Crown Jewel of Kashmir, a 12.00 carat cornflower blue Kashmir sapphire sharing the stage with a collection of no oil emeralds from origins such as Colombia, Zambia, Brazil and China. The Diavik Midnight Sun I, an 18.08 carat Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond set with a jacket adorned with Argyle pink diamonds shines its light among a collection of coloured diamonds and diamonds. Finally, The Imperial Bloom earns its name as a complete parure of fifteen well matched, high dome, imperial green colour jadeite cabochons set for the modern collector with the most sophisticated palette. This colourful curation is synonymous to the jubilant celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Sotheby’s in Asia following our Evening Sale of The Infinite Blue Diamond and The Jadeite Tianchi.”
Unsold!
The Crown Jewel of Kashmir, a 12.00 carat cornflower blue Kashmir sapphire – did not sell
A 5.21 carat pigeon blood red ruby, The Red Promise – did not sell
Art Deco Cartier Tutti Frutti bracelet – did not sell
Imperial Blossom Jadeite and Diamond Parure – estimated at 26,800,000 – 38,000,000 HKD, underperformed for 20,415,000 HKD
Of the first fifty lots with the highest estimates, over half went unsold! And of the remainder, six hammered at less than low estimate while only a small handful reached their highest.
That said, there were some magnificent jewels up for sale. Unfortunately for their owners, they came to the house during a worrisome economy.
Don’t call me “Semi-Precious”
Harry Winston | Aquamarine & Diamond Ring
Estimate: 50,000 – 100,000 HKD
Sold: 177,800 HKD (approx. $22,000)
Set with a cushion-shaped aquamarine weighing 7.46 carats, flanked by pear-shaped diamond clusters, mounted in platinum, stamped HW for Harry Winston, numbered, case stamped Harry Winston.
Accompanied by AGL report no. 1104661, dated 6 November 2019, stating that the aquamarine is 7.46 carats with no clarity enhancement.
Stamped HW for Harry Winston, numbered 650291. Stamped Pt950 for platinum. The aquamarine is medium in tone, very slightly greenish blue, eye clean. The diamonds estimated to weigh 1.30-1.50 carats in total, E-F colour, VVS-VS clarity.
Carvin French | Jadeite, Coral and Diamond Brooch
Estimate: 150,000 – 240,000 HKD
Sold: 63,500 HKD
Suspending a carved jadeite pepper of bright green colour, of very good translucency, coral pepper and pepper set with brilliant-cut diamonds of yellow tint, leaves decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18 karat yellow gold, maker’s mark for Carvin French.
Carvin French – one of the great makers of Fine Jewelry.
*Please note that diamonds of yellow tint have not been tested for natural colour origin. Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory certificate no. SJ 224620, dated 2 August 2023, stating that the jadeite is natural, known in trade as “A Jade”.
“Kashmir” – We need three reports? Yes, I guess we do.
Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Estimate: 2,800,000 – 5,500,000 HKD
Sold: 5,334,000 HKD
Set with a step-cut sapphire weighing 7.14 carats, decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in 18 karat white gold, size 6.
*The mounting head needs to be completely reworked in order to have the claws balanced on the sapphire corners. It’s a beautiful sapphire and needs to be beautifully set. – gr
Accompanied by SSEF report no. 127877, dated 13 March 2023, Gübelin report no. 22110004, dated 16 November 2022, stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating. Further accompanied by a gemmological report.
Accompanied by SSEF report no. 127877, dated 13 March 2023, Gübelin report no. 22110004, dated 16 November 2022, stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating.
Further accompanied by a GIA report no. 2214701332, dated 8 March 2016, stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating. For further details, please refer to reports. Stamped 750 for 18 karat white gold, D0.55 referring to the total weight of diamonds`. Sapphire is of medium blue colour, of strong saturation, with few typical inclusions. Diamonds are bright and lively. Metal in excellent condition. Overall in excellent condition.
“Nice Ice”
Icy Jadeite Pendant and Icy Jadeite Bangle
Estimate: 2,800,000 – 3,800,000 HKD
Did NOT sell (one of several)
Comprising an icy jadeite disc pendant, of excellent translucency, to the lavender jadeite bead surmount, and a cylindrical icy jadeite bangle of high translucency.
Icy jadeite disc approximately 53.89 x 9.06 x 11.55mm.
Lavender jadeite bead diameter approximately 13.53mm.
Inner diameter and thickness approximately 56.63mm and 11.65mm.
Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade and Stone Laboratory certificate no. KJ 105782, dated 2 August 2023, stating that the round disc is natural, known in the trade as “A Jade”.Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade and Stone Laboratory certificate no. KJ 105781, dated 2 August 2023, stating that the lavender jadeite bead is natural, known in the trade as “A Jade”.
Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade and Stone Laboratory certificate no. KJ 105782, dated 2 August 2023, stating that the round disc is natural, known in the trade as “A Jade”.
Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade and Stone Laboratory certificate no. KJ 105781, dated 2 August 2023, stating that the lavender jadeite bead is natural, known in the trade as “A Jade”.
Icy jadeite disc is of slightly yellowish celadon tone, highly translucent, with a very few colourless spots, not noticeable under normal lighting. Lavender jadeite bead of saturated lavender colour and good translucency. Icy jadeite bangle of highly translucent light celadon tone, with some white clouds.
There were several important diamonds that caught the attention of buyers, selling for close to the high estimate, or even going well beyond. But there were simply too many beautiful pieces that did not sell.
