Last year, Sotheby's sold the most expensive jewel in the world - a fancy vivid blue diamond.
Whilst they would not have been expecting to match that this year, the estimate set for the De Beers Millennium diamond - one of 11 fancy blue diamonds from that collection - was a confident one at HK$36-46m (US$4.6-5.9m).
That confidence proved more than justified when it sold in Hong Kong on Wednesday for a stunning HK$50m (US$6.4m) to Moussaieff of London following fierce bidding.
The exceptional Jadeite and Diamond Necklace which led the estimates for the sale also sold for an impressive HK$43m (US$5.5m) - but neither of these was the top lot as expected.
Instead that honour went to a highly important diamond Rivière necklace comprising 50 D-colour internally flawless white diamonds.
 The Riviere diamond necklace outdid even the Millennium diamond (above) |
It was this piece, with a guide price of HK$32-40m (US$4.1-5.1m) which really brought bidders out of their seats, and it surged past its estimate to sell for an astonishing HK$52m (US$6.7m), helping to set a record total of US$52.4m.
Quek Chin Yeow, Head of Sotheby's Hong Kong Jewellery Department & Deputy Chairman of Sotheby's Asia commented:
"Today's sale of Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite, which achieved the highest total ever for a sale in this category conducted by the company in Hong Kong, demonstrated that what drives buyers and collectors in the current market is the search for perfection and rarity."
- More news on Jewellery
- Enjoy the read? Don't forget to sign up for your free newsletter with exclusive content
Images: Sotheby's
