HONG KONG.- The Bonhams Hong Kong 2013 Spring Fine Jewellery & Jadeite Auction held on 25 May at the Island Ballroom of the Island Shangri-La Hotel offers 190 sparks of marvels that will entice collectors and aficionados alike.

Headlining the sale is Lot 1092, a magnificent art deco ruby and diamond necklace, by Cartier, circa 1925, with an estimate of HK$3,000,000 – 4,000,000. Featuring approximately 20.00ct of rubies and 30.00ct of diamonds, the necklace’s linear outline and geometric design are classic examples of the art deco period. This important necklace was illustrated in the book "Bijoux Art Deco" by renowned French author Sylvie Raulet.

The Art Deco period is one of the most popular and enduring design periods in the history of jewellery. The style reflected the flamboyant and playful attitudes of the era and gave birth to forms and motifs that continue to live on today. Defined by geometric forms and bold colours, the Art Deco jewellery style was in sharp contrast to the jewels of preceding periods. Diamonds were extremely popular in the Art Deco period and were often accompanied by the bright colours of rubies, sapphires and emeralds. While the Art Deco period covers the early 1920s through 1935, its influence extends all the way through the 1950s and 1960s and indeed to the current day.

The Cartier ruby and diamond necklace offered at the Bonhams sale bears witness to the iconic Art Deco style and is imbued with the Maison’s savoir-faire. Reminiscent of a work of art, this Egyptian revival necklace features a series of fifteen cushion-shaped rubies graduating in size to the centre, each within a geometric surround of brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds forming a tapering plaque, the back chain of shield and circular linking pavé set with similarly cut diamonds, the largest to the centre.

Commenting on the sale of this important piece, Graeme Thompson, Head of Jewellery for Bonhams Asia, said: 'We are delighted to be offering such a superb ruby and diamond necklace for sale at Bonhams on 25 May. Necklaces of this period are extremely difficult to find, even more so when they are by Cartier, a House synonymous with Fine Jewellery. Without doubt this jewel that exemplifies Art Deco jewellery at its best.'

In addition to the Cartier Art Deco ruby and diamond necklace, other highlights include:

Lot 1091
An important coloured diamond and diamond ring, by Van Cleef & Arpels
This ring features a step-cut fancy light pinkish-orange diamond in natural colour, VVS1, Type IIa, weighing 11.47 carats, between trillion-cut diamond shoulders, mounted in platinum.
Estimate: HK$5,500,000 - 6,500,000

Lot 1090
A jadeite bangle
This cylindrical bangle of lavender colour with bright green and white patches comes with very good translucency. The outer diameter measures approximately 76.0mm, inner diameter measures approximately 55.6mm and the thickness measures 11.0mm.
Estimate: HK$1,880,000 - 2,880,000

Lot 1089
A sapphire and diamond cluster ring
This floral design ring features a central cushion-cut unheated sapphire from Kashmir, weighing 8.39 carats, within a surround of heart-shaped diamonds, weighing 4.03 carats total, all between bifurcated shoulders set with brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in 18k white gold.
Estimate: HK$1,400,000 - 1,700,000

Lot 1088
An impressive three-stone diamond ring, by Harry Winston
The step-cut diamond, weighing 4.01 carats, is flanked by similarly cut diamonds, weighing 2.03 and 2.01 carats, and mounted in platinum.
Estimate: HK$1,280,000 - 1,600,000

Lot 1087
A ruby and diamond ring, by Harry Winston
The ring features an oval mixed-cut unheated natural vivid red ‘pigeon’s blood’ ruby from Burma, weighing 3.61 carats, within a surround of marquise and pear-shaped diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18k gold.
Estimate: HK$1,010,000 - 1,500,000

Lot 1086
A fine art deco sapphire and diamond bracelet, by Cartier, circa 1930
The bracelet is designed as three articulated centre sections set with rows of calibré-cut sapphires highlighted with cabochon sapphire pegs, each connected with geometric buckle-shaped links pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, to a concealed clasp of similar design. The diamonds weigh approximately 6.05 carats.
Estimate: HK$1,560,000 - 2,700,000

Lot 1085
An impressive diamond necklace, circa 1970
The centre section of this necklace forms an inverted heart of intertwining baguette and profile-cut diamonds, all suspended from meandering courses of similarly cut stones and a swag of brilliant-cut diamonds, the articulated back chain designed as scrolled ribbons highlighted with brilliant, profile and tapered baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum.
Estimate: HK$700,000 - 940,000

Lot 1082
A ruby and diamond ring, by Marcus
The oval mixed-cut natural unheated ruby from Burma, weighing 5.47 carats, is set within modified shield-cut diamonds, mounted in 18k white gold.
Estimate: HK$975,000 - 1,200,000