Christie's Hong Kong Jewels Sale Nets Almost $83M

Christie's Hong Kong sale of Magnificent Jewels achieved $82,705,484, and was 78 percent sold by lot. The top two lots were unmounted diamonds, the first of which was a 35.77-carat, D, type IIa brilliant-cut diamond and it sold to a private for almost $8.3 million or $231,000 per carat, while the second brilliant-cut stone was a 35.61-carat, D, type IIa diamond and it sold for $8.1 million or $228,000 per carat.

Christie's observed a world record price for a pair of emerald ear pendants, which included a 25.38-carat and 23.12-carat, cushioned-shaped pair of Colombian emeralds that sold for more than $4 million.

Other highlights included a 26.41-carat sapphire and diamond Kashmir brooch (pictured) for $3.8 million, a Burmese ruby and diamond cluster necklace by J.W. Currens for $3.8 million and a natural colored pearl and diamond bead necklace that sold for $3.1 million.

Vickie Sek, the director of the jewelry department for Christie's Asia, said, ''A fabulous pair of perfect round diamonds of 71.38 carats achieved $16.4 million, the highest ever price for colorless diamonds in Asia.'' Sek also observed strong prices for colored stones and natural pearls.

-Rapaport