Sotheby's to Sell Pair of Pear Diamonds for $7M

RAPAPORT... Sotheby's will offer a set of unmounted pear-shaped diamonds for up to HKD 55 million ($7 million) at its jewelry sale in Hong Kong next month.The 31.46- and 30-carat, D-flawless stones will be among the top lots at the October 7 Magnificent Jewels sale, Sotheby's said Wednesday. Two jadeite necklaces will also lead the sale. The first, set with 41 rare imperial green jadeite beads and a detachable diamond and ruby clasp, is estimated at more than HKD 40 million ($5.1 million), Sotheby's told Rapaport News. Meanwhile, the other features a jadeite pendant carved in the shape of a melon, decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds. While Sotheby's would not reveal the estimate for that piece, it noted that it was of similar value to the first.Other notable items include an unmounted round-brilliant cut, 32.74-carat, D-flawless diamond, which carries a presale price of up to HKD 33 million ($4.2 million). A set of earrings, one with a pear-shaped, 4.53-carat diamond and the other bearing a pear-shaped, 3.79-carat, fancy-intense-blue diamond - each hanging from a moonstone - is estimated at up to HKD 30 million ($3.8 million).A ring with a cut-cornered square modified brilliant-cut, 6.78-carat, fancy-intense-pink diamond surrounded by green garnets is also set to go under the hammer. That piece, by Lily Gabriella for Sotheby's Diamonds, has a high price of HKD 28 million ($3.6 million). Two items have an upper estimate of HKD 24 million ($3.1 million): a ring with an oval-cut, 10.26-carat, fancy-deep orangey-pink, internally flawless diamond and an unmounted round-brilliant cut, 22.88-carat, D-flawless diamond.Prior to the Magnificent Jewels auction, Sotheby's will hold a stand-alone sale for the Williamson Pink Star, a cushion-cut, 11.15-carat, fancy-vivid-pink, internally flawless diamond. The stone, considered one of the purest pink diamonds in history, is expected to fetch approximately HKD 170 million ($21 million) at the October 5 event.Image: The 31.46-carat and 30-carat unmounted diamonds. (Sotheby's)