The 5-carat, cushion-cut diamond, which is set in an 18-karat platinum rose-gold ring by Graff and flanked on each side by a shield-shaped diamond, is the largest fancy vivid pink potentially flawless diamond to ever be offered for sale at auction, according to a news release issued by Christie’s. The pre-auction estimate is $5 million to $7.05 million (U.S. dollars) at auction. PRICE REALIZED: $10,828,889. (All prices realized include buyer's premium.)
While the majority of natural pink diamonds exhibit a color modifier like purple, orange or gray, “The Vivid Pink” shows no trace of a secondary color, making it exceedingly rare both commercially and naturally, the news release said. The stone has been determined to be a type IIa pink diamond, which is very rare in nature and has few inclusions. The color in pink diamonds can be caused by impurities as well as the diamond’s exposure to heat and pressure, according to the Christie’s Web site.
The diamond is one of 255 lots valued in excess of $33 million from makers including Bulgari, Cartier, Graff, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany and Harry Winston. Jadeite jewels also will be featured. Click here to check out the full online auction catalog.
Other featured pieces in this auction include:
• An oval-shaped, 9.03 carat fancy vivid yellow diamond set in a ring by Graff. Although yellow diamonds are more common than other colored-diamonds, this high-clarity stone has a very intense color, which is due to aggregated nitrogen. The stone it is flanked on either side by a pear-shaped diamond. The pre-auction estimate is $900,000 to $1.2 million. PRICE REALIZED: $1,537,355.
• A 16.65-carat cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphire ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. The pre-auction estimate is $700,000 to $1 million. The stone is the desirable and distinctive “cornflower” blue color. It is mounted in an 18-karat white-gold ring and features brilliant-cut diamond openwork gallery and half-hoop. The gem appears it has not had any thermal enhancement. PRICE REALIZED: $2,408,436.
• A pair of 8.52 and 8.39-carat pear-shaped fancy yellow internally flawless diamond ear pendants. Pre-auction estimate is $400,000 to $600,000. PRICE REALIZED: $562,573.
• A pendant necklace featuring a 25.04-carat, pear-shaped Burmese sapphire with a brilliant-cut diamond surround. The pendant is joined to the neckchain set with brilliant-cut diamonds alternating with circular-cut sapphires and mounted in platinum. The richly colored sapphire has been spared thermal treatment, a key factor for collectors today, according to the Christie’s Web site. Such a combination of characteristics is rare in natural Burmese sapphires of this size, making this stone among the top sale highlights. The pre-auction estimate is $600,000 to $800,000. PRICE REALIZED: $827,009.
• An emerald and diamond necklace from Bulgaris Perentisi collection. Circular-cut emeralds are set upon a geometric motif, pave-set diamond plaque. The pendant is joined to a similarly set spacer and length-adjustable neckchain mounted in 18-karat white gold. Only two of these necklaces were ever produced by Bulgari, according to the catalog. The pre-auction estimate is $80,000 to $120,000. PRICE REALIZED: $282,583.
• An Art Deco ruby and diamond bracelet by Cartier. The bracelet features a sleek and simple geometric design. It displays 24 untreated Burmese rubies (total carat weight of 38.06 carats), which are favored by collectors for their “pigeon’s blood” red hue, the auction catalog said. The bracelet was created in 1938. The stylized geometric style illustrated in this bracelet was mostly the work of the designer Frederick Pew who collaborated closely with Jacques Cartier. The pre-auction estimate is $625,000 to $1 million. PRICE REALIZED: $780,344.
• A pair of diamond and natural pearl ear pendants from Chaumet featuring a natural pear drop joined to a floral motif surmount set with a brilliant-cut diamond pistil within collet-set, pear-shaped diamond petals mounted in platinum. The pre-auction estimate is $230,000 to $350,000. PRICE REALIZED: $298,138.
• A multicolored graduated natural pearl necklace. The necklace is composed of 79 multicolored graduated natural pearls measuring from 4.0 to 9.9 mm each. The pearls are joined to the navette-shaped onyx clasp accented by a marquise-cut diamond and mounted in platinum. The pre-auction estimate $150,000 to $230,000. PRICE REALIZED: $173,698.
• A pair of natural pearl and diamond ear clips by Cartier. The pre-auction estimate is $160,000 to $230,000. PRICE REALIZED: $235,918.
Several jadeite forms also are part of the auction. However, items that contain rubies or jadeite originating in Burma may not be imported into the U.S. They include:
• A carved jadeite Guanyin (pre-auction estimate $1 million to $1.5 million). Unsold.
• A carved jadeite Metteyva Buddha, also referred to as the Laughing Buddha or Buddha with a Big Belly (pre-auction estimate $750,000 to $1 million. Unsold.
• A rare jadeite bi and diamond pendant necklace (pre-auction estimate $565,000 to $800,000.) PRICE REALIZED: $702,569.
• A pair of jadeite and diamond ear pendants (pre-auction estimate $150,000 to $230,000.) PRICE REALIZED: $189,253.
• A pair of three-colored jadeite bangles (pre-auction estimate $230,000 to $350,000.) PRICE REALIZED: $282,583.
— Susan Sliwicki