Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale sets records

Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale held in Hong Kong 486,476,250 HKD. Amongst the lots sold, was a rare Cowdray Pearl Necklace made up with 42 natural grey pearls of superb quality, which stole the show and went down the hammer for US$5.27 million. This neckpiece also set a world record price for natural gray pearls and was previous to this sold in 2012 at an auction in London for US$3.35 million, as per reports.

Another highlight of the sale was a 27.68-carat sapphire and diamond ring referred to as the "Jewel of Kashmir". It was bought for US$6.7 million or US$242,145 per carat, creating a new world record surpassing the previous one which was of US$2,000 per carat, as per reports.

The sale offered a wide selection of highly desirable gemstones, diamonds and jadeites, including an iconic 10.62-carat ruby panther ring mounted by Cartier, a rare fancy intense pink diamond of over 5 carats, two Art Deco brooches from Cartier with oriental elements, The Dowager Viscountess Harcourt Necklace incorporating diamonds from the French Crown Jewels bought by Tiffany and Co. in 1887 at auction, subsequently sold by Sotheby’s in 1995 and reappearing in the market again after 20 years in private collection.