Hong Kong’s most impressive high jewellery auctions of 2022 – and highlights to watch out for, as Christie’s sells Rosamund Kwan’s stunning US$12.8 million collection featuring Cartier and Bulgari

Nov 25 , 2022

A ruby and diamond ring to be offered at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels from the Collection of Rosamund Kwan. Photo: Christie’s

The Williamson Pink Star diamond was sold for US$58 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong – the second most valuable jewel ever sold at an auction behind the record-breaking US$71.2 million CTF Pink Star

Rosamund Kwan’s 51 vintage gems by the likes of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari and Buccellati will go under the hammer, as will a sought-after gold Tiffany & Co. piece

Demand for ultra-upscale gems has remained resilient, as shown by the strong sales at Hong Kong’s live high-end jewellery auctions.

Amid global inflationary pressures, many affluent individuals consider luxury jewellery an asset class, on par with rare antiques and art pieces. Traditional favourites among discerning upscale jewellery collectors and investors range from premium-quality natural fancy-coloured diamonds and gemstones to top-of-the-line designs crafted by renowned high jewellery houses – all attracting fierce competition at auctions.

The Williamson Pink Star sold by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong is the second most valuable jewel ever sold at an auction. Photo: Sotheby’s

Hong Kong’s autumn live jewellery auction season this year was kicked off with the spectacular sale of the Williamson Pink Star, an 11.15-carat, cushion-shaped, fancy vivid pink and internally flawless diamond, in early October. After frenzied bidding, a private buyer in the United States secured the pink diamond for US$58 million. The hammer price makes the Williamson Pink Star the second most valuable jewel or gemstone ever sold at an auction, just behind the record-breaking 59.60-carat CTF Pink Star, which went for US$71.2 million in 2017. The Williamson Pink Star also established a world record price per carat (US$5.18 million) for any diamond or gemstone.

A Cartier ring with an 8.388-carat Burmese ruby and diamonds is the top lot at the Poly Auction Hong Kong’s autumn sale. Photo: Poly Auction Hong Kong

At the Poly Auction Hong Kong’s autumn sale, also held in October, which marked the 10th anniversary of the auction house, a whopping US$7.3 million was paid for a ring mounted with a spectacular 8.388-carat Burmese ruby in modified oval shape, accentuated with diamonds. The ring was crafted by Cartier. Accompanying gemological reports issued by well-established gem labs SSEF and Gübelin in Switzerland indicate that the gemstone has not undergone any heat treatment.

Top-quality jadeite jewellery is a favourite among buyers in Asia. Photo: Poly Auction Hong Kong

Meanwhile a jadeite and diamond necklace fetched US$6.4 million at the auction. The necklace consists of 43 jadeite beads of evenly intense green colour with high translucency, ranging from 13.59 to 11.42mm in diameter.