Christie’s to present Imperial Cushions at Hong Kong sale

Christie’s will host its Spring Sale of Magnificent Jewels in Hong Kong, on 31 of this month, with a line up of around 300 pieces of rare diamonds, fine coloured gemstones and exceptional jadeite. The sale is slated for the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre and carries a pre-sale estimate exceeding US$70 million. The highlights include The Imperial Cushions, a pair of spectacular ear-pendants featuring the world’s rarest diamonds from the Golconda mines.

The pair is of D Potentially Flawless Golconda Type IIa diamonds ear-pendants carrying an estimate of US$7 million – 9 million. The diamonds each weighing 23.49 and 23.11 carats, are noted to be of exceptional calibre – matching in size, cut and shape. There are other lots with Type IIa D colour diamonds - a pair of 13.09 and 12.86 carat heart-shaped diamonds ear pendants, with very good polish and symmetry (estimate: US$3,000,000 – 4,500,000) and diamonds of Type IIa, D colour with internally flawless clarity. This is also the largest pair of this quality ever to appear at auction. There is also an unmounted 18.88 carat D colour, flawless clarity brilliant-cut diamond, a Type IIa, which has been certified by GIA. (estimate: US$3,200,000 – 5,000,000).

Important sapphires from top sapphire producing regions including Kashmir and Burma will also feature in the sale. Some include - a pair of 14.84ct and 13.37ct cushions-shaped Kashmir sapphires and diamond ear pendants, a pair of 10.16 and 10.09 carats oval-shaped Burmese Sapphires and diamond ear pendants. Among the ruby highlights is a pair of 5.23 and 5.13 carats oval-shaped Burmese ruby and diamond ear pendants, which display the most desirable ‘pigeon’s blood red’ colour without any heat treatment. Natural Burmese rubies of this quality represent a great rarity and its combination of outstanding characteristics is a very exceptional treasure.

Natural saltwater pearls- a three-stranded necklace composed of 143 white natural pearls with lustrous quality(estimate: US$1,200,000 – 1,800,000). The size of these 143 white pearls measures from 2.5 to 12.8 mm, spaced by diamonds and suspending a drop-shaped natural pearl.

Jadeite - In this category, the Cabochon (the most simple and common cut of jadeite, which is rare when a superbly oval jadeite cabochon comes with superior colour, translucency, and texture) will be featured as a ring with a 13.5mm thick double cabochon perfectly rounded on both sides (estimate: US$770,000 – 1,000,000) The cabochon is of exceptional translucency and purity, with even green tone and without any trace of impurities. Other jadeites to be part of the sale include a milefo and diamond pendant set with a well carved natural jadeite laughing buddha of brilliant emerald green colour and high translucency, a suspending carved jadeite disc necklace of brilliant emerald green colour and high translucency, depicting two dragons flying amidst clouds, representing the rebus ‘may your son have a brilliant future and be blessed with success’.