A pear-shaped pink diamond with a purplish hue, an extraordinary internal transparency in 8.41 carats of size. This will be one of the most admired lots at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite auction on October 7 in Hong Kong. “It has one of the most beautiful and intense shades of pink that I have ever seen in a diamond and the exceptional clarity helps set the highest estimate per carat ever assigned to a gem of this category,” says Quek Chin Yeow, vice chairman of Sotheby’s Asia and chairman of the International Jewellery department in Asia. Estimated between 13 and 15 million dollars (10-11.5 million euros), it should, in the auction house’s hopes, break the sales record achieved a year ago with the Pink Dream. Of course, it is not the only star stone, there are seven other notable lots, including a 50.05 carat heart-cut colorless diamond estimated between 7 and 9 million dollars (5.9-6.9 million euros) and a set consisting of a necklace, bracelet and ring in jade that belonged to Wanrong, the wife of the last Chinese emperor, with a final price calculated between 250 and 325 thousand dollars (193 – 250 thousand euros). These figures may seem high, but the historical and aesthetic value also count in the evaluation: the setting with gold pearls in the shape of flowers is, according to experts, one of the most intricate ever made by imperial goldsmiths. The aim is to total between 32 and 50 million dollars with this series of precious stones (reaching around 40 million euros). And to attract the greatest number of buyers, a gem tour is planned in the most important cities in the sector, namely Singapore, Taipei, New York, London and Geneva. If Hong Kong seems too far away to admire these wonders, the Swiss stop is worth the trip.
