During the first six months of 2009, Christie’s noted its total sales dropped by 35 percent to $1.8 billion. In the said period sales of jewellery, jadeite and watches, decreased by 38 percent to $129.6 million.

Christie’s noted that during its auction, the diamond prices were the same as their value in the same period last year. The sales of jewellery included one in Geneva amounting to $13.7 million, two in New York valuing to a total of $30.4 million. Its Hong Kong Jewels sale amounted to $34.2 million.

The auction house noted coloured diamonds to be more popular during sales, and Asian buyers coming forth with interest for fine gems and jewels.