Christie’s Jewelry Sale Soars in Hong Kong
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A 101-carat, near-flawless diamond sold for $6.2 million at a Christie’s International sale in Hong Kong Wednesday, propelling the city past Geneva and New York as the auction house’s biggest jewelry market.
The diamond, the highlight of Christie’s jewelry sale, has the third-highest clarity rating of VVS1 and the third-best ranking on a scale used to measure colorlessness. The stone, the size of a quail’s egg, had a presale high estimate of $8 million. Christie’s sale of 258 gems, among 345 offered, fetched about $60 million, compared with $49 million from its New York auction and $56 million in Geneva, London-based Christie’s said.
“More than other regions, the Asian client is interested in the perfect stone,” the company’s global head of jewelry, François Curiel, said. “Gem size matters in America. Here, small and extremely good quality work.”
Asian collectors bought the 10 priciest lots at Christie’s auction Wednesday, paying record prices for some gems. A 16.04-carat, D diamond sold for $3.33 million, the most paid per-unit for such a colorless stone; a square 10.36-carat fancy green diamond sold for $3.5 million, a record for a diamond of this color. A pair of ear pendants that once belonged to the Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia set a per-carat record for emeralds, Christie’s said.
