Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewellery and Jadeite Jewellery auction on 30 May will spotlight an array of the world’s rarest coloured diamonds and gemstones, exceptionally pure diamonds, signed pieces and jadeite jewellery of exquisite and unique designs.
In this Spring auctions series, Christie's Hong Kong will introduce a real-time multi-media auction service Christie’s LIVE™, hence becoming the first international auction house in Asia to offer fine art and jewellery through live online auctions. Christie’s LIVE™ enables collectors around the world to bid from their personal computers while enjoying the look, sound and feel of the sale.
Coloured Diamonds
Coloured diamonds are a fascinating produce of nature and highly treasured for their natural beauty and rarity. Rainbow hues of green, pink, orange, yellow and blue, echoing the colours of Spring, are showcased in a kaleidoscope of fancy coloured diamonds in the May sale.
Green diamonds are among the rarest in the world of diamonds. The green colour is produced by exposure to natural radiation deep inside the earth’s crust, where they have formed over hundreds of millions of years. Christie’s is privileged to offer an exceptional oval-shaped fancy intense yellowish green diamond of 3.07 carats. Its highly saturated green tone and brilliance of colour make it a true rarity in the market (Lot 2227, estimate: HK$6,000,000-8,000,000/ US$750,000-1,000,000).
‘Chameleon’ diamonds are one of the great mysteries of nature. True to its name of a ‘Chameleon’ diamond, this stone, like the animal whose name it has taken, changes colour under various physical conditions; from deep green to yellow when gently heated or left in darkness. The largest ‘Chameleon’ diamond ever to appear at auction in Asia, it exhibits a pure fancy deep grayish greenish yellow tone which is the most desirable colour for a ‘Chameleon’ diamond (Lot 2040, estimate: HK$2,800,000-4,000,000/ US$360,000-550,000).
Jadeite Jewellery
Jade is the symbol of virtue in China and greatly admired for its mythical qualities. In the forthcoming sale, Christie’s has assembled a special group of jadeite jewellery illustrating the perfect combination of fine workmanship and high quality stones.
Leading this section is a perfect pair of stylish jadeite hoops – one carved for the lady (Lot 2188, estimate: HK$2,500,000-3,500,000/ US$320,000-440,000), and the other specially designed for the gentleman (Lot 2189, estimate: HK$3,000,000-4,000,000/ US$385,000-500,000). Carved from the same stone, this matching pair of green hoops shares a fine texture; inherently complementing each another. Despite their much-desired thickness, they both display a high degree of translucency and a vivid emerald green tone, the imperial jade colour most coveted by the connoisseur.
Gemstones
Christie’s Hong Kong will tempt collectors this season with a remarkable selection of beautiful natural gemstones from the world’s famous mines. These stones show no indication of clarity enhancement and are avidly sought-after by collectors.
A cut-cornered rectangular-cut emerald ring of 12.16 carats possesses an intensity of hue, tone and saturation typical of Colombian stones (Lot 2109, estimate: HK$2,400,000-4,000,000/ US$300,000-500,000).
In fact, among all Sri Lankan sapphires, the most prized one is the ‘padparadscha’ sapphire, whose unusual pink-orange hues recall the colours of a fiery sunset and the famed lotus flower for which its name derives. An enchanting 7.55 carat oval-shaped Sri Lankan ‘padparadscha’ exhibits a delightful princess orange-pink hue epitomizing the best in colour for a ‘padparadscha’ (Lot 2105, estimate: HK$360,000-520,000/ US$45,000-65,000). Its unique colour, combined with the ideal cut and excellent clarity make this jewel look brilliant and lively.
Auction:
Magnificent Jewellery and Jadeite Jewellery, 30 May at 11:30 am & 2:00 pm (HK Time)
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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About Christie’s
Christie’s is the world's leading art business with global auction sales in 2006 that totaled £2.51 billion / $4.67 billion. This 36% increase over 2005 marks the highest total in company and in art auction history. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service, and international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 600 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, cars and more. Prices range from $200 to over $80 million. Christie’s has 85 offices in 43 countries and 14 salerooms around the world including London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Dubai and Hong Kong. Most recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging markets such as China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Dubai, Mumbai and Russia. Christie's also offers its clients worldwide access to its sales through Christie's LIVE, its unique, real-time online bidding service.
