Hong Kong – Sotheby’s Hong Kong is honoured to announce that it will offer a magnificent and extremely rare Pear-shaped D-colour (Finest White) Flawless Diamond on 10th April 2008 in its Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Sale to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Weighing an extraordinary 72.22 carats, this stunning diamond of supreme quality is the largest pear-shaped D-colour flawless diamond to date to appear at auction in Asia. In addition to its astonishing carat weight, colour and clarity, the diamond, estimated at HK$75-100 million (US$9.5-12.5 million/ $4.8-6.3 million)*, is particularly prized for its GIA-graded Excellent polish and symmetry as well as its highly desirable pear-shape.
Cut from an original rough diamond weighing 188.11 carats, the diamond offered in this Spring sale is breathtaking for its outstanding brilliance and clarity. Along with its superb outline, this finest white flawless 72.22-carat diamond offered by Sotheby’s Hong Kong will undoubtedly spur intense bidding amongst collectors around the world. QUEK Chin Yeow, Deputy Chairman and Head of Jewellery Department, Sotheby’s Asia,
said, “Asian collectors are amongst the most discerning, and always seeking the best in paintings, works of art and items of rarity on offer. Following the record-breaking fancy vivid blue diamond ring sold in Hong Kong last October, Sotheby’s Hong Kong is proud to offer one of the most beautiful diamonds available in today’s market. Of purest Type IIA material, whitest D-colour of flawless clarity with excellent polish and symmetry, this superb pear-shaped diamond of 72.22 carats boasting a graceful outline will be the highest value gem on offer at auction in Asia.”
Sotheby’s has consistently had the privilege of offering at auction some of the world’s most exquisite and expensive diamonds, including the record-breaking 84.37-carat Chloe Diamond – an impressive Brilliant-cut, D-colour Flawless Diamond – which was sold in Geneva in November 2007 for a remarkable US$16,189,769. Topping this is the impressive 100.10-carat Pear-shaped, D-colour, Internally Flawless Star of the Season which achieved US$16,548,750 million in May 1995. To this date it remains the most expensive diamond and jewel ever to be sold at auction.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong has consistently led the way in Asia, offering only the very best in diamonds to its discerning collectors. Recent impressive records include the 6.04-carat Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Ring which broke a 20-year world auction record – the highest price per carat for any gemstone – by hammering down an astounding HK61,927,500 (US$7,981,835; US$1,321,495 per carat) in October 2007, a Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond boasting 10.04 caratssold for HK$48,280,000 (US$6,222,809), achieving a new recordfor western jewellery and for a pink diamond at auction in Asia in April 2006 and an 88.88 carat Emerald-cut D-colour Internally Flawless Diamond fetched HK$47,326,400(US$6,083,809), a then record for a colourless diamond at auction in Asia in November 2004.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium