Sotheby’s Hong Kong to Sell 81ct. Flawless Diamond

A flawless white diamond with a high estimate of $13 million will feature in Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite auction in Hong Kong next month. The emerald-cut, 80.88-carat, D-color, type IIa stone is valued at $10 million to $12.8 million, and is one of only five emerald-cut diamonds over 80 carats offered in auction history, Sotheby’s said Monday. A 10.64-carat, fancy-vivid-purplish-pink, internally flawless diamond, polished as a radiant cut, with the outline of an emerald cut, is set to go under the hammer at the October 7 sale for $20 million to $26 million. The auction house will also feature a necklace by designer Anna Hu, containing a 100.02-carat, fancy-intense-yellow diamond, estimated at $5.1 million to $6.4 million. “It is thrilling to be able to bring together three top-class diamonds this autumn, all of which are exceptional in quality and rarely seen on the market, let alone presented in a single sale,” said Yvonne Chu, acting head of Sotheby’s Hong Kong jewelry division. “We are set for a bright season ahead.” Also up for auction are an 11.88-carat, pigeon’s-blood Burmese ruby and diamond ring, mounted by designer Raymond Yard and valued at $5.6 million to $8.2 million, and a jadeite bead necklace with a diamond clasp, estimated at $3.2 million to $4.1 million. Other notable items include a 19th-century 37.29-carat sapphire and diamond brooch. The piece, which Richard Burton gave to Elizabeth Taylor during their marriage, has a pre-sale estimate of $1.7 million to $2.3 million. Sotheby’s will showcase the pieces throughout Asia before the auction.