A Rare and Exceptional Pair of 4.03 and 4.04 carat Unheated Burmese "Pigeon's blood" Ruby and Diamond Earrings
Estimate: HK$15,000,000 - 18,000,000/ US$2,000,000 – 2,300,000
HONG KONG – 18 MAY 2022 – Phillips is pleased to announce highlights from the Jewels & Jadeite sale in Hong Kong on 23 June at the JW Marriott. Featuring 124 lots, the sale will offer a stunning array of jewellery, ranging from dazzling coloured and colourless diamonds, finest rubies, emeralds and sapphires, to gorgeous natural pearls.
Leading the sale is an exceptional pair of “pigeon’s blood” rubies boasting impressive weights of 4.04 carats and 4.03 carats respectively and is set with a total of 9.89 carats of brilliant cut diamonds (estimate: HK$15,000,000 - 18,000,000/ US$2,000,000 – 2,300,000). Both rubies have been characterised by an outstanding purity and an attractive saturated red colour, a combination rarely encountered in Burmese rubies of this size. Also gracing this season’s sale is a superb 20.30 carat, D-Flawless, oval-shaped diamond that has been given the highest colour and clarity from the GIA but also received excellent grades for both Polish and Symmetry (estimate: HK$12,000,000 - 15,000,000/ US$1,500,000 – 1,900,000). Moreover, the attractive and unique oval cut creates a beautiful, elongated appearance which often makes the hand and fingers appear slender. The sale also features signed pieces by Bulgari, Boucheron, Cartier, Chaumet, Chopard, Graff, JAR, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels, highlighted by a vintage unheated 11.42 carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring by Bulgari (estimate: HK$ 5,600,000 - 6,600,000/ US$ 720,000 – 850,000).
Graeme Thompson, Worldwide Head of Jewellery said: “Following a record year for Phillips Jewels in Hong Kong which saw the resilience of jewellery market worldwide, this Spring we are delighted to bring together some of the most spectacular fine jewellery – from pigeon’s blood rubies, Colombian emeralds, fancy coloured diamonds to D-Flawless Type IIa diamonds. We expect our carefully curated auction on the 23 June will continue to attract Phillips’ ever-growing community of collectors from across the globe, achieving solid prices and sell-through rates.”
Coloured Gemstones
Highlighting this season’s sale is a selection of the finest coloured gemstones from distinguished mines. Natural “pigeon’s blood” rubies sourced from Burma, now Myanmar, are commonly regarded as some of the world’s most desirable. Ruby’s associations with majestic splendour and its blazing colour: symbolising passion, and luck in Asia, continue to hold popular to this day. Offered this season is an exceptional ruby and diamond necklace, featuring 34 oval and cushion-shaped “pigeon’s blood” rubies and showcases meticulously set graduated rubies and diamonds, creating a masterpiece that sits well on any neckline. Another highlight is an articulated ruby and diamond bracelet which is composed of a line of 16 Burmese “pigeon’s blood” rubies, accentuated by variously cut diamonds in a delicately set openwork design. The invisibly set ruby outline enhances the attractiveness of the central rubies, creating a strong yet feminine design.
The finest Colombian emeralds exhibit a richly saturated and homogeneous bluish green hue, and often possess a variety of internal inclusions, or fingerprints of nature, due to the delicate balance of their formation and the demanding methods taken to obtain these precious gems. Untreated examples with high clarity are thus extremely rare and sought after. This season, Phillips will offer a remarkable 5.35 carat natural Colombian emerald which possesses an evenly distributed, vibrant green hue of strong saturation as well as a Colombian emerald and diamond bracelet. The emerald crystal is an exceptionally clean specimen, devoid of any clarity enhancement which is extremely rare and highly desirable.
Coloured Diamonds
Fancy colour diamonds, are natural diamonds that exhibit any other colour face-up. These rare specimens come in every colour of the spectrum, including, most importantly, blue, green, pink, and red. For fancy colour diamonds their value generally increases with the strength and purity of the colour. Offered this season is an exquisite example of a fancy coloured diamond bracelet comprising 259 square-cut natural multi-coloured diamonds, weighing a total of 125.76 carats, and a coloured diamond ring comprising 4 coloured diamonds weighing 5.82 carats in total. The diamonds’ colour ranges from pale pink, purple, gray, yellow, orange, blue and green colours. Highly articulated, both pastel diamond bracelet and the diamond ring sparkle and scintillate like reflecting colours of the Spring season.
Colourless Diamonds
The most exceptional diamonds are those classified as Type IIa, which means they display an exceptional optical transparency. They are the most chemically pure diamonds, almost if not entirely, devoid of nitrogen impurities in the crystal structure. This season, Phillips is offering a selection of D-Flawless and Internally-Flawless Type IIa diamonds of the finest color, the highest clarity and the best cut and polish, as conferred by the industry-standard GIA.
This season’s auction will also present unique and fashion-forward pieces by acclaimed contemporary Asian designers. Highlights with striking contemporary designs will be revealed in the coming weeks.
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Auction: Thursday, 23 June, 2:30pm
Hong Kong Preview: 18- 22 June 10am to 7pm, 23 June 10am to 12pm
Location: JW Marriott, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Sale page: https://www.phillips.com/auctions/auction/HK060122
Touring Previews:
Singapore: 3-4 June 2022, 11am–7pm | The St Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road
Taipei – 4-5 June 2022, 11am-6pm | Bellavita Gallery, B1 No. 28 Song Ren Road, Xinyi District
Images of highlights: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/udtjp7ks612ikzn/AACsyUfj6gd0Gmn1ClZDgNPTa?dl=0
*Please download attached PDF for full press release
PRESS CONTACTS:
HONG KONG – Ingrid Hsu, Public Relations Director, Asia Ingridhsu@phillips.com
ABOUT PHILLIPS
Phillips is a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century art and design. With dedicated expertise in the areas of 20th Century and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry, Phillips offers professional services and advice on all aspects of collecting. Auctions and exhibitions are held at salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, while clients are further served through representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips also offers an online auction platform accessible anywhere in the world. In addition to providing selling and buying opportunities through auction, Phillips brokers private sales and offers assistance with appraisals, valuations, and other financial services.
Visit www.phillips.com for further information.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.