Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Necklace Achieves $16.1M at Christie’s Hong Kong

A magnificent sapphire and diamond necklace was the star of Christie’s recent Magnificent Jewels auction in Hong Kong, realising HKD 125.5 million (USD 16.1 million) and comfortably landing within its estimated range.

The centrepiece features 16 antique, cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphires, ranging from 3.43 to 13.37 carats—coveted for their velvety saturation and rarity. Each sapphire is framed by an array of D–F colour, internally flawless to VS1 diamonds, with a combined diamond weight of 121.81 carats.

According to Christie’s, the necklace dominated the 25 November sale and drew significant attention from collectors seeking exceptional provenance and craftsmanship.

The auction totalled HKD 538.1 million (USD 69.1 million), showcasing important creations from renowned maisons including Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and JAR.

Top 10 Lots from the Sale

1. Burmese Ruby “Red Butterfly” Earrings — HKD 25.5M (USD 3.3M)

Designed as vibrant red butterflies, these earrings feature oval Burmese rubies of 2.03, 2.11, 5.01, and 5.05 carats, set alongside pear- and marquise-cut diamonds. The pair sold within its presale estimate.

2. Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Earrings — HKD 24.9M (USD 3.2M)

Showcasing four cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphires weighing 2.28–7.90 carats, accented by round and pear-cut diamonds, this pair also achieved its projected price range.

3. Diamond Rivière Necklace — HKD 22.1M (USD 2.8M)

A classic rivière design set with 25 diamonds (E–I colour), totalling 88.14 carats. The necklace includes five outstanding round brilliants weighing 8.57, 10.01, 12.86, 13.81, and 31.71 carats.

4. Cartier Tutti Frutti Necklace and Brooch — HKD 19.4M (USD 2.5M)

This iconic multi-gem suite features carved emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, complemented by cabochon beads and round diamonds. The result aligned with expectations.

5. 12.86-Carat Fancy Orangey-Pink Diamond — HKD 18.6M (USD 2.4M)

An unmounted round brilliant, VVS2 clarity and Fancy Orangey Pink colouration—a rare combination—fetched its forecasted price.

6. Art Deco Multi-Gem Cartier Bracelet (c. 1925) — HKD 16.4M (USD 2.1M)

Set with jadeite cabochons, a star sapphire, carved rubies and sapphires, enamel, and old-cut diamonds, this 1920s piece surged to nearly triple its high estimate.

7. 30.87-Carat D-Colour Heart-Shape Diamond Necklace — HKD 16.1M (USD 2.1M)

Featuring a detachable Type IIa, D-colour, VVS1 heart-shaped diamond, this versatile jewel achieved slightly above its lower estimate.

8. Boehmer et Bassenge Diamond Earrings — HKD 12.7M (USD 1.6M)

The earrings include two oval D-colour stones: an 11.03-carat internally flawless diamond and an 11.13-carat flawless diamond, suspended from round and marquise diamonds. The lot exceeded its high estimate.

9. Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Ring — HKD 10.9M (USD 1.4M)

An emerald-cut 10.39-carat Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond, VVS1 clarity, accompanied by round diamond shoulders, outperformed its HKD 6.8 million estimate.

Why This Matters to the Australian Market

High-profile auction results continue to highlight global demand for rare gemstones—particularly Kashmir sapphires, high-colour diamonds, and historically significant Cartier pieces.

As Australia’s only internationally accredited diamond laboratory, DCLA recognises how transparent, scientifically rigorous grading underpins confidence in the global secondary market. These results reinforce the premium commanded by stones with verified origin, colour, clarity, and craftsmanship.

Source: DCLA

Rockefeller Kashmir Sapphire could Fetch $2.5m

The Rockefeller Kashmir, an Art Deco ring that belonged to the late John D. Rockefeller 3rd and his wife Blanchette, is to appear in a sale of the couple’s vast art collection.

The Cartier features a 17.66-carat cushion faceted base pyramidal sugarloaf cabochon sapphire, with diamonds and carries a $1.5m to $2.5m estimate.

The ring was created around 1925 and has been in the Rockefeller family for three generations.

John D. Rockefeller 3rd inherited billions of dollars from the family’s Standard Oil empire, and was a prominent philanthropist.

The ring will be auctioned at Christie’s New York at the Magnificent Jewels event, during their December Luxury Week, on 10 December.

The collection of Asian art, jewelry, major American paintings and other heirlooms, was held by the couple’s daughter Sandra Ferry Rockefeller, who died in October 2024, aged 89.

Some of the sale proceeds will benefit her youth empowerment foundation.

Source: IDEX

Best Jewelry and Watch Results at Sotheby’s Paris for Seven Years

Sotheby’s sales of fine jewelry and watches in Paris raised over $10.9m (EUR 9.3m) last week – the best results for the twin events since 2018.

It was the fourth consecutive white glove sale – an auction in which no lot is left unsold – for fine watches, and nearly half the 269 jewelry lots exceeded their pre-auction high estimates.

Sotheby’s said the results demonstrated “continued strength in the market” and confirmed the strong and growing position of its jewelry department on the international stage.

Notable highlights included a 10.68 carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring that sold for $761,000 (EUR 698,500) – more than twice its high estimate -and a Burmese sapphire and diamond Cartier ring with an 18.25-carat sapphire that realized $609,000 (EUR 558,800).

Two lots sold for more than five times their high estimates a diamond pendant that fetched $45,400 / EUR 43,000   (estimate $6,300 to $8,400 / EUR 6,000 to 8,000) and a pair of deGrisogono black and white diamond earrings that sold for $40,000 / EUR 38,000 (estimate $5,300-$7,400 / EUR 5,000 to 7,000).

A Cartier yellow gold wristwatch with bracelet gifted to Joseph Losey, the American film and theater director, by his close friend Elizabeth Taylor and accompanied by an unsigned cigar box gifted by another friend the famous French actor Alain Delon, circa 1967, sold for $111,000 (EUR 95,250).

Source: DCLA