Sotheby's HK sale to offer over 700 mln HK dollars Jewels

Sotheby's Hong Kong said on Thursday its Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Autumn Sale 2014 will offer about 340 pieces of Jewels and Jadeite, valuing more than 700 million HK dollars (90.3 million U.S. dollars).

The sale is slated on Oct. 7 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. "The upcoming sale will highlight an array of rare and important colorless and colored diamonds, including an 8. 41-carat Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink Diamond, estimated of 100 million to 120 million HK dollars," said Terry Chu, Deputy Head of Jewelry Department, Sotheby's Asia.

"Sotheby's is also pleased to present another treasure of historical importance, namely a Group of Late Qing Dynasty Jadeite Jewelry comprising a necklace, a bangle and a saddle ring, formerly in the collection of Qing's last Empress Wanrong," said Chu.

According to Sotheby's, this historical collection was from an overseas collector. His mother is believed to have an intimate relationship with Empress Wanrong who gave the Jadeite Jewelry to this mother as a present.

"We estimated this collection at about 2 million to 2.5 million HK dollars, it is quite inexpensive compared with other diamonds collection," said Chu, "because we do not just want to present the price value to collectors, we also want to convey the culture and tradition behind those collections, they might have stories inside, " Chu added.

Sotheby's also selected a 50.05 Carat Heart-Shaped Internally Flawless Diamond Pendant as part of the sale offering, estimated of 60 million to 70 million HK dollars. This "romantic heart" boasts the highest chemical purity to show an exceptional optical transparency.

Chu said, beautiful heart-shaped diamonds of over 30 carats are rarely seen in the market.

Sotheby's said the auction also highlights a selection of rare top-quality sapphires, led by The Imperial Kashmir, including a 17. 16-Carat Step-Cut Unheated Kashmir Sapphire and diamond ring, which are estimated about 22 million to 28 million HK dollars. A pair of 44.11 and 40.11 Carat Unheated Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Pendent Earrings, estimated at about 9 million to 11 million HK dollars are also as part of the sale offering.