Christie’s Hong Kong Sells Vivid Pink Diamond for $11 Million
12/1/2009 9:33:58 AM SGannon
Hong Kong – Avid art and jewelry collectors headed overseas to take in a five-day Christie’s auction and bring back assets that hold their value, regardless of the performance of the dollar. Last night, during the “Christie’s Jewels” auction, a pink diamond ring brought in an impressive $11 million. There was an impressive lot of jewelry for sale, but it was the vivid pink diamond that captured the imaginations—and the wallets—of buyers.
The ring, created by Graff, includes a 5-carat, cushion-cut vivid pink diamond, flanked by two shield-shaped diamonds and set in both platinum and rose gold. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graded the diamond as having completely natural color and VS1 clarity, with a potential clarity rating of IF. Pink diamonds of this grade are very rare, and found in few parts of the world. Originally discovered in India, they have also been found more recently in Brazil and Africa.
The pre-sale estimate for the ring was $5.1 million to $7.13 million. The buyer paid $2,165,778 per carat. Another Graff diamond ring sold above its estimate of $1.2 million. The 9.03-carat vivid yellow center diamond is flanked by pear-shaped white diamonds and mounted in platinum and yellow gold. The GIA graded the center stone as a type Ia fancy, vivid yellow diamond with completely natural color and VVS1 clarity.
The “Pierres de Caractere’ diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels more than doubled its estimate, going for $2,408,436. It contains a 16.65-carat sapphire with both baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds mounted in 18-karat white gold. In June, 2004, an independent gem laboratory graded the sapphire as being from Kashmir with no signs of HPHT.
The ongoing auction also saw an impressive array of Chinese antiques sell last night. With items far exceeding pre-sale estimates, it has been a much more impressive show than a similar sampling of items at Sotheby’s in the fall. Many buyers are looking for items that will not lose their value, despite the fluctuations in the global economy, and Christie’s is offering almost a week of opportunity.
Related Articles:De Beers Relieves Botswana of Diamond WealthWednesday, Mar 10 2010 10:43AM Diamond news agency,
Suzanne Gannon
 |
De Beers Relieves Botswana of Diamond Wealth De Beers the world’s largest diamond conglomerate partnered with the government of Botswana in 1969 to form Debswana Diamond Company Ltd After 40 years it seems that the working relationship is on the verge of collapse after a confidential Slaughter and May report was leaked showing that De Beers has made tens of millions without sharing their profits Botswana a country rich in diamonds lacked the knowledge and equipment to mine their natural resources De Beers which was already the primary diamond mining company in Africa stepped in and made a deal that ended up blowing up in the collective faces of the Botswanans
|
Oscars Bring Out Diamonds, As UsualMonday, Mar 8 2010 10:05AM Diamond news agency,
SG
 |
Oscars Bring Out Diamonds As Usual The 2010 Academy Awards brought out the stars and the best (or worst) of fashion As usual Oscars jewelry was prominently on display whether deliberately small and subtle or large and opulent Each year as celebrities crowd the red carpet they are asked “who are you wearing” This year not only was it the tuxedos and gowns getting attention but the amazing array of diamond jewelry
Kate Winslet had perhaps the most distinctive jewelry at the famed awards show To complement her silver Yves St Laurent gown she chose a Tiffany necklace made with emerald-cut white and yellow diamonds with matching earrings and cuff Their total estimated value is over $25 million
|
Rare Vivid Blue Diamond Expected to Sell for $6 MillionWednesday, Mar 3 2010 9:57AM Diamond news agency,
SBG
 |
Rare Vivid Blue Diamond Expected to Sell for $6 Million At the Sotheby’s Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale on April 7 a rare blue diamond that was once part of the De Beers Millennium Collection is being sold The 516 carat pear-shaped Internally Flawless Vivid Blue diamond was originally presented by diamond giant De Beers to celebrate the Millennium Bidding is expected to reach close to $6 million
|
Mugabe Plans to Sell Diamond With or Without KP ApprovalWednesday, Mar 3 2010 7:14AM Diamond news agency,
Suzanne Gannon
 |
Mugabe Plans to Sell Diamond With or Without KP Approval Harare Zimbabwe – The battle continues between Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF-run government and Kimberley Process officials although it is decidedly one-sided For nearly two years the Kimberley Process has been “looking into” the conflict over the Marange diamond fields one of the richest active alluvial fields in the world After human rights groups stepped in and demanded that Zimbabwe be at the very least kicked out of the organization a KP team went there to see what was really going on They decided to give Zimbabwe six months to comply with all necessary standards When that deadline passed with no change the KP gave them another deadline All the while Robert Mugabe has stood fast in his conviction to use any means necessary to mine the diamonds cheaply and sell them at the cost of the lives of his own people
|
De Beers Sponsors Star-Studded Love BallMonday, Mar 1 2010 11:03AM Diamond news agency,
SBG
 |
De Beers Sponsors Star-Studded Love Ball This year’s Naked Heart Foundation which provides safe parks and playgrounds for children in Russia hosted their annual Love Ball last Saturday Running the event were Natalia Vodianova and Lucy Yeomans editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar UK who gathered an impressive list of celebrities to help raise money for their cause Because the ball was sponsored by diamond giant De Beers diamonds were the featured attractions of the evening
|