HONG KONG.- Two breathtaking bangles, each representing in their very own way the pinnacle of bracelet design, stole the show at Sotheby’s Hong Kong yesterday:

• A diamond and rock crystal bracelet combining the legendary artistry and craftsmanship of Cartier with a phenomenal 63.66-carat pear-shaped internally flawless white diamond, sold for HK$46,877,000 / US$6,036,350.

• A sensational jadeite bangle weighing 277.673 carats and described by the SSEF laboratory as “a true treasure of nature” achieved HK$30,425,000 / US$3,917,830. The bangle carries a subtle range of green to vivid green colours that is characteristic of the finest green jadeite-jade from Burma (Myanmar).

The two pieces were offered in the ‘Magnificent Jewels’ sale which totalled HK$418,588,600 / US$53,901,650, with 62 % of the bidders participating online. This auction was presented in Sotheby’s new innovative format, a hybrid of online advance bidding culminating in the drama of a live auction, with 50% of the lots offered receiving advanced online bids.

Other highlights in today’s sale included:

A 39.88-carat emerald-cut D colour, Flawless, Type IIa unmounted diamond sold for HK$28,005,000 / US$3,606,204, confirming the appetite of the market for large high-quality diamonds. (N.B. last week, a 41.50-carat D color, Flawless, Type IIa round diamond sold for $4.9 million at Sotheby’s New York).

In addition to the sensational jadeite bangle mentioned above, jadeite pieces generated a lot of interest in the sale. A unique jadeite bead, diamond and ruby necklace, composed of 47 slightly graduated intense green jadeite beads achieved HK$23,407,000 ($3,014,119) and a pair of imperial green jadeite earrings soared to HK$6,951,000 / US$895,080 - a record for a cabochon ‘Imperial Green’ Jadeite (price per carat: US$35,101), marking this as the highest value lot sold to an online buyer in the sale.