Phillips Hong Kong to Auction 15.51-Carat Yellow Diamond

Hong Kong—Phillips’ upcoming auction will feature a curation of colored diamonds, gemstones, and signed jewels, led by a 16-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond.

The Hong Kong Jewels Auction will take place March 28 at the company’s Asia headquarters in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District. 

“Echoing the strong market demand for rare and important colored diamonds, this spring we are delighted to present a breadth of fancy colored diamonds certified by GIA,” said Louisa Chan, head of sale, Hong Kong, Phillips Jewels.

“The sale also brings together a stunning array of treasures – from the finest Burmese rubies, Colombian emeralds, vintage signed pieces from Bulgari, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels, as well as red spinels and Paraíba tourmalines that are currently sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.”

One highlight of the sale is a ring with a round fancy vivid yellow diamond center stone weighing 15.51 carats.

Because of the value of colored diamonds, cutters usually prefer styles that maximize weight yield.

However, the auction house calls this yellow diamond “an exceedingly scarce example,” as it has a brilliant cut, a style reputed for resulting in a great loss of material weight, and therefore “extremely rare.” 

It is estimated to sell for $7.4 million to $9.7 million Hong Kong dollars ($950,000 to $1.3 million).

The sale will also feature a ring with a 1.38-carat cushion-shaped fancy vivid purplish pink diamond center stone, with Phillips noting that fancy pink diamonds weighing more than 1 carat are rare. 

The stone is set on a spiraling dome-shaped mount, accented by circular-cut pink sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds.

The ring is estimated to sell for $2.4 million to $3.5 million Hong Kong dollars ($425,000 to $560,000).

Also a highlight of the auction, a 2.65-carat fancy intense orangy pink diamond and diamond ring is estimated to sell for up to $3 million Hong Kong dollars ($400,000).

A handful of ruby jewelry will also appear at the sale, including a 4.01-carat Burmese unheated ruby and diamond ring with a high estimate of $1.4 million Hong Kong dollars ($180,000).

Burma, now known as Myanmar, is yielding fewer and fewer rubies in recent decades, Phillips said, with larger sizes from the region even more scarce.

Also from the region, a 10.32-carat step-cut red spinel and diamond ring is for sale with a high estimate of $500,000 Hong Kong dollars ($65,000).

Other natural ruby jewelry up for auction includes a line bracelet containing 12 cushion-shaped oval and circular-cut rubies weighing nearly 25 carats in total, spaced by kite-shaped diamonds. The pre-sale estimate is $1.8 million to $2.8 million Hong Kong dollars ($230,000-$300,000).

A ruby and diamond necklace containing 35 matched mixed-cut rubies weighing about 38 carats in total and diamonds is also up for sale. It is estimated to sell for up to $2.2 million Hong Kong dollars ($280,000).

Both pieces’ rubies are graded by the Gübelin Gem Lab and have no indications of heating. 
 

The Hong Kong Jewels Auction will also present pieces containing Colombian emeralds, including a pair of Harry Winston ear pendants with pear-shaped emeralds totaling approximately 10 carats and diamonds. 

 
They are estimated to sell for $950,000 to $1.5 million Hong Kong dollars ($120,000 to $180,000). 

Also for sale is a 37.08-carat cabochon-cut Colombian emerald surrounded by brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds with a high estimate of $1 million Hong Kong dollars ($130,000). 

Paraíba tourmalines, discovered in Brazil more than 30 years ago, are among the rarest and most sought-after gemstones in the world right now, Phillips said. 

Brazilian deposits are allegedly depleted, and the supply of Brazilian stones in the market is extremely limited, according to the auction house. The upcoming Hong Kong auction will feature rings with Paraíba tourmalines from both Brazil and Mozambique. 

 
Of the signed pieces on offer this season, a turquoise and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels stands out. The house has used turquoises in designs throughout its history, including ballerinas, “La Boutique” brooches from the 1950s, and more recently, in its “Ludo” series. 

The necklace on offer, circa 1985, also comes with a certificate of authenticity from the brand. It’s estimated to sell for $900,000 to $1.2 million Hong Kong dollars ($110,000-$150,000).

The necklace is set with alternating diamonds and round cabochon turquoises supporting a fringe of pear-shaped cabochon turquoise.

Turquoise, one of Queen Victoria’s favorite gemstones, was a symbol of true love in the Victorian era, the auction house said. 

Phillips will also offer a nearly century-old Cartier bracelet.

The Art Deco-style piece, circa 1920, features Burmese unheated rubies and diamonds, exhibiting “exceptional workmanship from highly-skilled artisans” for a period when diamond-cutting had not yet been enhanced by computerization, the auction house said.

It is estimated to sell for up to $600,000 Hong Kong dollars ($52,000).

Highlights from the sale will be exhibited in Singapore from March 8-9 and Taipei, Taiwan from March 16-17, and return to Hong Kong for public viewing March 20-28, prior to the sale. 

“We look forward to welcoming enthusiasts at one of our preview exhibitions in Asia, and to Phillips’ Asia headquarters in Hong Kong on March 28 for the live auction,” said Chan. 

All lots for sale are available to view now on Phillips website.