PRESS RELEASE | HONG KONG | 12 MAY 2014 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

THE EYE OF GOLCONDA 

THE LARGEST GOLCONDA DIAMOND FOR AUCTION IN ASIA  

TO LEAD CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG MAGNIFICENT JEWELS SPRING AUCTIONS

27 MAY 2014

Hong Kong – Christie’s Hong Kong will hold its Magnificent Jewels auction on 27 May 2014. Consisting of over 300 lots with a combined estimation of over HK$800 million/ US$100 million, headlining the sale is a rare Golconda diamond pendent necklace named The Eye of Golconda, whose centrepiece is the largest Golconda diamond ever to be auctioned in Asia. It also boasts an array of rare coloured diamonds, including fancy orangy pink, fancy deep pink, fancy intense blue, fancy vivid green-blue, fancy intense green, fancy deep yellow-green, fancy violet-grey and fancy vivid yellow diamonds. Having previously set multiple pink diamond auction records (The Vivid Pink, The Perfect Pink and The Martian Pink), this season, Christie’s Hong Kong will unveil an important 9.38 carats pear-shaped fancy intense pink diamond (Illustrated right, Lot 2119, estimate: HK$45,000,000-65,000,000 / US$5,800,000-8,300,000), once again reaffirming its Queen of Pink Diamond title. In addition, two highly-esteemed jadeite jewels by Chow Tai Fook, a number of D colour Flawless clarity Type IIa diamonds, a range of vividly saturated Burmese rubies and sapphires, Colombian emeralds and exclusive vintage pieces from Bulgari, Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels complete the sale.

THE EYE OF GOLCONDA

The introduction of diamonds to the Western world is attributed to celebrated French traveller and gem-merchant, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-1689). During the 17^th century, he travelled to India and brought back a spellbinding stock of diamonds that dazzled the French Court. These sparklers of extraordinary transparency came from Golconda, and a captivated King Louis XIV called them ‘pools of crystal water’. Golconda diamonds are often described as Diamonds of First Water, characterised by an almost indefinable water-clear appearance that attest to their diaphanous quality and a degree of transparency rarely seen in stones from other localities. They are often graded as Type IIa. Type IIa diamonds represent less than 2% of the world’s production of gem-quality diamonds; they are the purest form of diamonds and show exceptional optical transparency.

This season, Christie’s Hong Kong will present a magnificent Golconda diamond pendent necklace, which is named The Eye of Golconda (Illustrated on page 1, Lot 2090, estimate: HK$66,500,000-80,000,000 / US$8,500,000-10,000,000). This Type IIa pear and cushion-shaped diamond and emerald pendent necklace has two important Golconda diamonds, weighing 40.05 and 6.76 carats respectively, and both graded by the GIA as D colour and internally flawless clarity. The former, the necklace’s centrepiece of imposing size, is the largest Golconda diamond ever available for auction in Asia. Apart from their antique cutting style, the diamonds’ Golconda origin further established the jewel’s extreme rarity and value.

D COLOUR FLAWLESS DIAMONDS

Another highlight is a duo of unmounted 26.08 and 26.20 carats D colour Flawless clarity Type IIa (Ex/Ex/Ex) brilliant-cut diamonds (Illustrated left above, Lot 2087, estimate: HK$32,000,000-50,000,000/ US$4,000,000-6,500,000; Illustrated right above, Lot 2088, estimate: HK$32,000,000-50,000,000/ US$4,000,000-6,500,000). All graded as ‘D Flawless’ – the highest accolade for colour and clarity – these diamonds have no internal or external imperfections and represent an exclusive treasure. In addition to their superb quality and tremendous size, they have been awarded ‘Excellent’ for polish, symmetry and cut grade, meaning that they exhibit perfectly aligned facets with an accuracy of up to 1/200^th of an inch, while each of the facets is worked to the greatest possible smoothness. The combination of all these factors exemplifies the outstanding pre-eminence of these masterpieces.

COLOURED DIAMONDS

A strong and diverse coloured diamond collection is prominently featured in the auction, with a 9.38 carats fancy intense pink pear-shaped diamond and diamond ring topping the category. Other notable gems include a 2.04 carats fancy intense blue (Ex polish) cushion-shaped diamond and 12.05 carats D colour internally flawless clarity (Ex polish) briolette diamond pendent necklace (Illustrated left, Lot 2114, estimate: HK$12,500,000-18,000,000/ US$1,600,000-2,300,000), a 6.13 carats fancy intense green (Ex polish) cushion-shaped diamond and coloured diamond ring, a 10.02 carats fancy vivid yellow marquise-cut diamond and diamond ring, as well as a 1.06 carats fancy vivid green-blue (Ex polish) cushion-shaped diamond and diamond ring.

There is also a quartet of coloured diamond jewels by some the world’s most prestigious jewellers, consisting of a 12.93 carats fancy orangy pink (Ex polish) rectangular-shaped diamond and diamond ring by Harry Winston, a 5.64 carats fancy violet-grey cushion-shaped diamond, coral and diamond ring by Taffin, a pair of 0.81 and 0.79 carat fancy deep pink brilliant-cut diamond ear studs by Cartier, as well as a 1.08 carats fancy deep yellow-green square-shaped diamond and diamond ring by Harry Winston.

COLOURED GEMSTONES

After dominating the Christie’s jewels 2013 Autumn sale, rubies are making a return this season, led by a suite of Burmese pigeon’s blood red ruby and diamond jewellery by James W. Currens for Faidee (Illustrated left above, Lot 2082, estimate: HK$32,000,000-50,000,000/ US$4,000,000-6,250,000). Two other top lots in the coloured gemstones section are both made by legendary jewellery design house Bulgari: one is a ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond necklace (Illustrated middle above, Lot 2032, estimate: HK$4,000,000-6,000,000/ US$500,000-750,000), and the other is a sapphire and diamond necklace (Illustrated right above, Lot 2024, estimate: HK$1,600,000-2,500,000/ US$200,000-320,000). Famed for its daring colour combinations, Bulgari experimented with multiple combinations throughout the 1960’s. It was also during this period that their coloured stones were fashioned into the brand’s characteristic en cabochons, a real departure from the customary faceted stones. Lot 2032, featuring blue sapphires juxtaposed with red rubies and green emeralds, is a vintage piece epitomizing the colour revolution of that period and a vivid illustration of the ‘Bulgari style’. The necklace was designed as a dramatic graduated fringe of cabochon sapphires, each embellished with cabochon rubies and diamonds. The front suspends five cabochon rubies, all of the coveted Burmese origin and with no signs of added treatment. Furthermore, it is highlighted throughout with cabochon emeralds, duly accentuating the combinations of complementary colours, making it a grand representation of impeccable taste and splendour.

JADEITE

On the other hand, jadeite continues to be a significant part of the sale. Rounding up the category highlights are a jadeite bangle (Illustrated left, Lot 2103A, estimate: HK$30,000,000-50,000,000/ US$3,800,000-6,500,000) and one jadeite pepper pendent necklace (Illustrated right below, Lot 2069, estimate: HK$3,000,000-5,000,000/ US$380,000-650,000). Among them, Lot 2103A stands out with a perfect balance of the ideal colour, texture and translucency of the material. The bangle displays a vivid emerald green colour with a saturation and tone that are neither too dark nor too light. Moreover, it shows a high degree of translucency while retaining a considerable thickness. Superb craftsmanship is apparent, resulting in such excellent polish and fine lustre that the piece is vitreous, radiating a soft brilliance. These highly coveted features are typical of top-quality Burmese jadeite, making these pieces a gem to behold. 

Top lots include two pieces of jewellery by Chow Tai Fook ­­— a pendent necklace set with a significantly sized jadeite cabochon of pure rich lavender colour (Illustrated middle below, Lot 2073, estimate: HK$2,800,000-3,800,000/ US$350,000-480,000) and a ring set with a jadeite cabochon bearing the top quality colour of vivid emerald green (Illustrated left below, Lot 2074, estimate: HK$6,000,000-8,000,000/ US$750,000-1,000,000). Both of vivid saturation, their fine texture translates into the highest translucency achievable. Complemented by an exceptional thickness, the jewels radiate a luminesce glow that only such exclusive pieces can attain.

CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG MAGNIFICENT JEWELS SPRING AUCTIONS 2014

PUBLIC PREVIEW

Date: 22 to 27 May

Opening hours:            22 to 24 May – 10:30 to 18:00

                                    25 to 26 May – 10:30 to 18:30

                                    27 May – 10:30 to 12:00

AUCTION

Date: 27 May (Tuesday)

Time: 13:30

Venue: Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong