5 Major Stones : Sotheby's HK Auctions
4th April 2019
The prestigious English Auction House built its identity and recognition based on its valuable offer and high expertise in various fields. Covering jewels, watches, paintings, sculptures, bags, wines, real estate and many more, Sotheby’s is equal to 275 years of valuations and billions of revenue. In 2018, it sold $6.4 billion worth of artworks worldwide (+16% vs. 2017). This is thanks to its wide network with offices in 40 countries, where about 250 auctions are organized yearly.
This week, Sotheby’s held a jewellery auctions in Hong Kong, reaching a total sales of: 35.6 M€.
Ruby Panthère Bangle, Cartier
This diamond panther presents articulated platinum paws and rotating head, decorated with onyx spots, nose and pear-shaped emerald eyes. The tail is encircling a cushion cut ruby weighing 10.01 carats. The saturated red color stone is from Mozambique origins: Recognized for the brilliant red hue and high transparency of rubies produced, Mozambique rubies have rapidly become one of the most coveted ruby red colours, and as a result, are one of the more valuable rubies sourced from African mines. In order to satisfy the growing demand, within the last ten years, 80% of the global ruby output would originate from Mozambique.
Mozambique rubies differ from Burmese rubies in their strength of colour. The majority of Mogok stones tend to improve in colour along with size, whereas Mozambique rubies are known to excel in the smaller sizes, with stones over ten carats tending to be darker.
The bracelet was estimated between 910K€ - 1.1M€ and remained unsold.
Ruby Panthère Bangle, Cartier. Unsold at Sotheby's HK April 2019.
Emerald Toscany Necklace, Van Cleef & Arpels
Designed as three graduated rows of brilliant-cut diamonds, this jewel is set with five step-cut emeralds weighing 31.74 carats in total. The necklace presents a suspended fringe of graduated pear-shaped diamonds, the diamonds weight approximately 88.00 carats in total, mounted in platinum and yellow gold. The reports state that the emeralds are of Colombian origin, with indications of minor oil clarity modification.
Above their distinct green colour, Colombian emeralds are further enhanced by their natural fluorescence above the rest.
Emeralds typically contain inclusions visible to the unaided eye, which has been accepted by all gemstone connoisseurs; they are referred to “jardin”, meaning “garden” in French. Belonging to the Beryl stones family, the emerald is composed of chromium, iron and vanadium which give this bluish green to green tone.
The necklace was estimated between 630K€ - 850K€, it was sold for 980K€.
Toscany Necklace, Van Cleef & Arpels. Sold for 980K€ at Sotheby's HK April 2019.
Kashmir Sapphire Ring
This ring is set with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 13.88 carats. It is surrounded by pear-shaped and marquise-shaped diamonds. The mounting present a brilliant-cut diamond pave on a white gold structure.
The reports are stating that the 13.88 carat sapphire is of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating. The colour of this sapphire may be called 'royal blue‘, it possesses a richly saturated and homogeneous colour, combined with a high degree of transparency. The Kashmir Sapphires are known for being rare and extremely valuable thanks to their velvet aspect and strong color.
The ring was estimated between 1.6M€ - 2M€ and was sold for 2.2M€.
Kashmir Sapphire Ring. Sold for 2.2M€ at Sotheby's HK April 2019.
Diamond Loose Stone
This stone is an oval cut diamond, D, Flawless with an excellent polish and symmetry for a total weight of 88.22 carats. Moreover, this is a Type IIa diamond: Type IIa diamonds are the most chemically pure type of diamond and often have exceptional optical transparency.
This spectacular diamond bears strong cultural significance as it embodies a pair of eights and twos – an extremely rare and fortunate case, especially for the Asians.
The number eight in Chinese has been a symbol of luck for many generations. It is linked to wealth and is associated with prosperity. Number two also has a special place among Chinese culture, as there is a saying that good things should come in pairs.
The diamond was estimated between 10M€ - 11.4M€, and was sold for 12.3M€.
Diamond Loose Stone. Sold for 12.3M€ at Sotheby's HK April 2019.
Cabochon Jadeite Ring
This spectacular jadeite cabochon is of very good translucency and has a brilliant emerald green colour. It is surrounded by brilliant-cut and half-moon-shaped diamonds, mounted in white gold. The cabochon is approximately 24 x 17 x 7 mm.
This is a type A Jade, meaning that it is a natural stone, free of any chemical treatments.
Attention, the term Jade does not specifically reports to the Jadeite, it can also come from the Nephrite stone. Jadeite is the more valuable of the two and experts can usually detect nephrite by its lower translucency and luster.
Thanks to its composition, and toughness, jade can be seen carved, especially in the Chinese culture. This opaque gemstone is very appreciated in China, it has deep meanings and is related to peace and harmony. China is one of the most important producer of Jade, as well as Myanmar and USA. Some quantities can also be found in New Zealand, Italy, Russia and Canada.
Jade does not only exist in green but in a wide range of colors: orange, lavender, yellow, black, blue, red.
This ring was valued between 430K€ - 550K€ and it was sold for 538K€.
Cabochon Jadeite Ring. Sold for 538K€ at Sotheby's HK April 2019.