Sotheby’s recent Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Sale in Hong Kong set a world auction record for a Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond and a world auction record price per carat for any Sapphire. The auction yielded total sales of HK$584 million (US$75 million). The world auction record for a Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond was set when an 8.41 carat Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink Diamond sold for HK$137.88 million (US$17.77 million), while the world auction record price per carat for any Sapphire was set for a 17.16 carat Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring sold for a total of HK$31.48 million (US$4.06 million) at a whopping HK$1,834,499 (US$236,404) per carat.
“Tonight we were thrilled to achieve consecutive per-carat price records for Kashmir sapphire first with the Cartier sapphire ring at HK$1,505,246 / US$193,975 per carat then again with a sapphire and diamond ring at HK$1,834,499 / US$236,404 per carat. The top lot of the night, a vivid purple-pink diamond ring mounted by Sotheby’s Diamonds, attracted keen competition before fetching a wonderful price of HK$137.88 million and setting a world auction record for a fancy vivid pink diamond. Also notable is a very fine icy multi-coloured jadeite ‘Guan Yin’ ornament which achieved HK$14.44 million and figures among the top ten lots of the sale. The highly anticipated Ballerina Butterfly brooch co-designed by Cindy Chao and Sarah Jessica Parker to benefit the New York City Ballet achieved HK$9.4 million.” said Deputy Chairman and Head of Jewellery Department, Sotheby’s Asia, Quek Chin Yeow.
