Find out about Sotheby’s, Phillips and Christie’s recent autumn auctions in Hong Kong, with Bonhams’ to be held on November 28. Pictured: A ruby and diamond ring with an estimate of HK$2 million to HK$3 million, going under the hammer at Bonhams. Photo: Handout
Results highlight the enduring appeal of exceptional pieces by iconic high jewellery maisons such as Cartier, Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels
Resilience prevails in Hong Kong’s high-end jewellery market, as evidenced by robust demand at live auctions for collector-grade fancy coloured diamonds, coloured gemstones and signed pieces from coveted international brands.
At Christie’s Hong Kong’s Magnificent Jewels auction late last month, paddles went up furiously for the star lot, The Oriental Sunrise earrings, which eventually fetched HK$62.02 million. The earrings are set with a pair of 12.20-carat and 11.96-carat fancy vivid orange-yellow, VVS2-VS1 diamonds.
The star lot at Christie’s Hong Kong auction, The Oriental Sunrise earrings, fetched HK$62.02 million. Photo: Handout
Advertisement
A necklace mounted with 62.46 carats of Burmese pigeon’s blood rubies, set among diamonds, was sold for HK$49.98 million at the same auction. Additionally, a Cartier ring in platinum, set with a fancy vivid blue marquise brilliant-cut diamond of 4.39 carats, baguette and round diamonds, fetched HK$23.36 million.
Christie’s auction realised HK$466.81 million and its sale saw a 106 per cent hammer over low estimate. Ninety-two per cent of lots available were sold and 52 per cent of the sold lots exceeded their high estimates, reflecting highly competitive bidding. Many pieces with exceptional quality colourless and fancy coloured diamonds, as well as coloured gemstones, were snapped up by buyers.
Similar trends were observed at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels I auction, as well as at Phillips Hong Kong Jewels Auction held in early October.
Uni Kim, co-head of Sale and Specialist, Jewellery, Asia, Sotheby’s Hong Kong, attributes the steady interest to demand from discerning collectors who recognise the enduring value of storied brands’ rare and signed jewellery pieces.
“Our curation strategy continues to focus on areas that remain robust, particularly unique signed pieces by brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari and Buccellati,” she said.
A Zip diamond necklace, transformable into a bracelet, by Van Cleef & Arpels, fetched HK$3.24 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
At the October Sotheby’s auction, a Zip diamond necklace/bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels achieved three times its estimate, fetching HK$3.24 million. The iconic design features a functional bejewelled zip pull suspending a tassel, in 18k white gold and platinum.
Two instantly recognisable dancer designs by Van Cleef & Arpels also attracted strong bidding. The Bals De Légende clip brooch, adorned with turquoise, onyx and diamonds, sold above its high estimate at HK$1.44 million. Another diamond clip brooch, in the Ballet Précieux design featuring a dancing ballerina, fetched HK$960,000, also above its high estimate.
