HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale 2016 will take place on 5 April at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The sale will highlight an extraordinary selection of the rarest coloured diamonds sourced from around the world, including the highly anticipated De Beers Millennium Jewel 4, a 10.10ct Oval-shaped Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond, a spectacular 4.08-ct Fancy Vivid Orange Diamond and an extremely rare 4.90-ct Fancy Intense Green Diamond, among others. These are complemented by a fine selection of superb natural coloured gemstones, diamonds, pearls, jadeite and vintage jewels from the most coveted brands worldwide, including iconic designs from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels spanning the 1920s to the present. Approximately 270 lots estimated in excess of HK$740 million / US$96 million will be offered.

QUEK Chin Yeow, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia and Chairman of International Jewellery, Asia said, “Given the phenomenal auction track record of coloured diamonds of late, we are tremendously excited about our group of three rare diamonds coming into the auction market in Hong Kong this April at Sotheby’s: a 10.10-carat oval-shaped internally flawless fancy vivid blue, the ‘De Beers Millennium Jewel 4’, a pear-shaped fancy vivid orange and a heart-shaped fancy intense green. For pure contrast, we are also honoured to be entrusted with a jewel box of lovely pieces, including the important single strand of Natural Pearls, from An Important Asian Private Collection for this coming auction in April to kick-start the 2016 schedule. ”

HIGHLIGHTS:
DIAMONDS
For decades Sotheby’s has brought to the market many important coloured diamonds, including the Blue Moon of Josephine that set the world auction record for any diamond last November. This Spring Sotheby’s will offer an extraordinary selection of rare and important top-quality coloured diamonds, led by the celebrated ‘De Beers Millennium Jewel 4’, a 10.10-Carat Oval-shaped Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond (Est. HK$235 – 280 million / US$30 – 35 million, lot 1843), the largest oval-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond ever to appear at auction.

Another remarkable colour, orange, is in diamonds believed to be caused by nitrogen, the same element responsible for yellow colours in diamonds. Only a minute fraction of fancy coloured diamonds are graded as pure orange without modifying hues. They are rarely seen on the market, even at the most prestigious auctions. GIA states that it rarely sees polished orange diamonds exceeding 4 carats. This 4.08-Carat Fancy Vivid Orange Diamond and Diamond Ring (Est. HK$12 – 14 million / US$1.6 – 1.8 million, lot 1875) from the collection of an Asian lady is a remarkable example of one of the rarest and most prized colour sensations observed in the world of diamonds. Its elegant shape is echoed by the similarly-cut adjoining white diamond, accented by a soft curve that continues its subtle outline, freeing the two dazzling diamonds from any kind of enclosure, thus allowing this one-of-a-kind orange diamond to display fully its true marvellous colour.

While red is by far the rarest hue in fancy coloured diamonds, green comes a close second. The green colour in diamonds is caused by millions of years of exposure to natural irradiation in the earth which alters the stone’s absorption of light. The majority of naturally irradiated diamonds show isolated green strains (also known as ‘skins’) that barely penetrate the surface of the crystal and are almost always removed during the cutting process. Only a very small number exposed to radiation long enough exhibit an even green hue throughout the entire crystal. Among these rare stones very few have a pure green colour without any bluish, greyish or yellowish modifying hues, making them truly unique, as is the heart-shaped centre stone of this 4.90-Carat Fancy Intense Green Diamond, Coloured Diamond and Diamond Ring (Est. HK$21 – 28 million / US$2.7 – 3.6 million, lot 1842). Only a handful of natural green diamonds have been auctioned in the past three decades, the majority exhibited either bluish or yellowish modifying hues. With a pleasing heart shape, weighing 4.90 carats (uncommonly large for its kind), this fancy intense green diamond is representative of an extraordinary group of beautiful and enigmatic gems, and presents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a peerless stone.

Pure yellow diamonds with no modifying hues are relatively rare and greatly sought after. Of significant size, a lively and saturated golden yellow colour and a classic emerald cut, this rare and fine 10.30-Carat Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond and Diamond Ring (Est. HK$10 – 16 million / US$1.3 – 2.1 million, lot 1846) is certainly a stunner.

The kaleidoscopic range of coloured diamonds will be complemented by a superb selection of perfect colourless stones embodying the finest attributes in a diamond: D colour, internally flawless clarity, excellent cut, polish and symmetry (Triple X) and the purest Type IIa quality. Among them are a 22.40-Carat DIF Diamond Ring (Est. HK$25 – 32 million / US$3.3 – 4.1 million, lot 1844) and a pair of 5.03 and 5.02-Carat DIF Diamond Pendent Earrings (Est. HK$7.8 – 8.8 million / US$1 – 1.1 million, lot 1845).

COLOURED GEMSTONES
Last October in Hong Kong, a 27.68-carat Kashmir sapphire achieved a world auction record price per carat for Kashmir sapphire at US$242,145 per carat. It was the latest in an incredible string of records since the October 2014 sale in Hong Kong in which the same record was broken twice, illustrating the rapidly growing demand for top-quality sapphires. This season Sotheby’s will offer two striking sapphires from different origins, both free from indications of heating and displaying the most captivating naturally saturated blue colour: a 38.88-Carat Burmese Royal Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring (Est. HK$14 – 16 million / US$1.8 – 2 million, lot 1739) with an impressive size and superior quality, as well as a 12.00-Carat Kashmir Cornflower Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring (Est.HK$14 – 16 million / US$1.8 – 2 million, lot 1874,) with a richly saturated and homogeneous colour and very fine purity which makes this stone highly exceptional.

Sotheby’s selection of natural coloured gemstones would not be complete without this 6.04Carat Burmese Ruby and Diamond Ring (Est. HK$18 – 22 million / US$2.3 – 2.8 million, lot 1872), centring on an unheated Burmese ruby of outstanding purity and a beautifully saturated ‘pigeon’s blood’ red colour, which is primarily found in rubies from the famed Mogok Valley, the most prestigious origin for rubies.

ROYAL JEWEL
This Colombian Emerald and Diamond Brooch, Late 19th Century, formerly in the Collection of Queen Amelia of Portugal (Emerald totalling approximately 18.60 Carats, Est. HK$9.5 – 12 million / US$1.2 – 1.6 million, lot 1712), is a rare piece originating from the court of Portugal that made its way to Asia through the hands of various illustrious preowners. Queen Amelia of Portugal (pictured left) was born Princess Amélie of Orléans in 1865. She married Carlos of Portugal in 1886, who became King Carlos I in 1889. Their son Manuel II, the last King of Portugal, reigned until 1910 when the country was declared a Republic. The brooch was given to Queen Amelia in 1886 as a wedding gift from her godfather, the Duke of Aumale, a son of Louis Philippe, the last King of France. It subsequently passed into the collections of the Princes of Orléans and Bragança; HRH, The Crown Princess of Yugoslavia, and the late Gabriele Murdock, wife of the late David Murdock, American businessman and philanthropist.

The grandeur of this brooch lies not only in its provenance, but also in the three attractive Colombian emeralds that are natural and free of clarity treatment, among which the centre stone weighs a stunning 12.22 carats. A noble brooch with such important gemstones is certain to appeal to both antique jewel aficionados and gem connoisseurs.

SIGNED VINTAGE JEWELLERY
With their exquisite designs and craftsmanship combined with scarce supply, wellpreserved vintage pieces from renowned jewellery houses are highly sought after at auction. The sale offers a charming selection of vintage pieces from celebrated maisons including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels which are set to attract jewellery connoisseurs.

The cover lot of the sale, this Art Deco Burmese Ruby and Diamond Bracelet, Cartier, Paris, Circa 1920 (Est. HK$3.8 – 5.3 million / US$480,000 – 680,000, lot 1743), featuring five natural unheated Burmese rubies totalling approximately 11.00 carats, is a perfect marriage of the finest gemstones, excellent craftsmanship and Cartier’s iconic Art Deco design. It is complemented by an Art Deco Gem-set and Diamond Brooch, Van Cleef & Arpels, 1926 and later (Est. HK$800,000 – 950,000 / US$100,000 – 120,000, lot 1802) embellished with carved and cabochon sapphires, rubies and emeralds, which are characteristic of the period’s design motifs.

Following last season’s Cowdray Pearls that fetched a record price of HK$41.08 million / US$5.3 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October 2015, Sotheby’s will offer a pair of Natural Pearl and Diamond Pendent Earclips, Cartier Paris, Circa 1949 (Est. HK$6.3 – 7 million / US$810,000 – 900,000, lot 1732), featuring a pair of white and grey natural pearls of similar drop shapes, significant size, and attractive lustre cleverly matched by Cartier and suspended on fan-shaped diamond surmounts.

Another superb piece featuring natural pearls is a Natural and Diamond Necklace, One Cultured (Est. HK$3 – 5 million / US$390,000 – 650,000, lot 1870) from a distinguished private Asian collector. Strung with a meticulous collection of 32 natural saltwater pearls and one cultured pearl measuring approximately 12.50 to 9.15 mm, of well-matched shape, colour and lustre, this exquisite necklace is complemented by a diamond clasp signed by Van Cleef & Arpels.

JADEITE
An Exceptional Jadeite Ring (Est. HK$30 – 35 million / US$3.9 – 4.1 million, lot 1822) is an exemplary specimen of superb fine texture, luscious and even green colour as well as captivating translucency – the most highly prized trait in jadeite. With a soft glow and gleaming lustre which are remarkably rare for a cabochon of at such an impressive size of 30.08 x 19.23 x 13.07 mm, this top-quality jadeite will captivate discerning jadeite collectors around the world.

This Fine and Important Jadeite Plaque and Diamond Pendant (Est. HK$28 – 32 million / US$3.6 – 4.1 million, lot 1724) is inscribed with an important sankrit mantra ‘om mani padme hum’ on both sides. With deep and diverse meanings, this mantra has been translated into countless languages and is the best-known mantra in the world. Despite its important size, measuring 68.41 x 36.40 x 8.55 mm, this exceptional jadeite plaque displays a rich and saturated green colour as well as fine translucency and is set to attract collectors with an interest in the Buddhist faith.