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

Christie's Creates 'Online Only' Sale of Select Items from Elizabeth Taylor

Christie's will open registration for an online only portion of its Elizabeth Taylor auction on November 18 at www.christies.com/etonlineonly.

The online portion of the larger sale, which will be held December 13 through 16, will include close to 1,000 lots of fine and costume jewelry, fashion items, accessories and memorabilia. Estimates start as low as $100 and bidding begins December 3 and runs through December 17.

Highlights from the online portion of the auction went on view at Moda Operandi and include items such as a Ruser hummingbird brooch, Chaumet ring, Valentino ear clips, Chanel sautoirs and ear clips just to name a few top designer items.

"The online-only sales provide an additional means for her legions of collectors and fans to participate in the auctions, no matter where they live," said Marc Porter, the chairman of Christie's Americas.

The online sale will enable continuous bidding during the period.

-Rapaport

ROUND FLAWLESS DIAMONDS EXPECTED TO SELL FOR $18M AT CHRISTIE’S AUCTION

Two loose round brilliant cut diamonds with a color grade of D and a clarity grade of Flawless are expected to sell for a combined $18 million at the Christie's Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels sale on November 29.

The stones – put up as separate lots – weigh 35.77 and 35.61 carats and are the largest two diamonds of their type ever auctioned.

Both diamonds were originally mined in South Africa and cut by the Steinmetz Diamond Group. Last year, they were displayed at New York’s Guggenheim Museum.

A statement from Christie’s says that “to find large pieces of colorless rough diamonds within the same timeframe represents an extremely rare occurrence… to combine that with the vision to obtain a closely matched pair raises the project to new heights.”

-The Israeli Diamond Industry