Record Jade. Diamonds are no longer the only thing that can drive up the prices of jewelry at auction. The proof? It comes from the auction organized by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. A jade necklace signed Cartier, with ruby and diamonds, owned by the heiress Barbara Hutton (1912-1979) was sold for more than $27.4 million at the Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Auction. The sale set a world record for a jadeite jewel and for an object signed Cartier. The necklace also achieved more than double the estimate of $12.8 million. According to Sotheby’s, it is the “largest jadeite necklace of historical importance”. The bid to win the jewel lasted just 18 minutes: it is composed of 27 jade beads, which the auction house describes as “emerald green in color, very transparent”. The necklace is completed with a clasp with rubies and baguette diamonds, set in platinum and 18k yellow gold. The jadeite beads range from approximately 19.20 to 15.40 millimeters.
