CollectionsMay 21, 2025
Bulgari Highlights Its Colorful Past in Phenomenal ‘Polychroma’ CollectionThe jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.
AuctionsOct 11, 2016
Another Top Lot Fails to Sell, This Time at Sotheby’s HK
A jadeite bangle predicted to go for up to $9 million didn’t sell at the Oct. 4 auction, just two weeks after a headlining piece in New York also failed to meet its reserve price.
This circular jadeite bangle of high translucency and intense emerald green color, which Sotheby’s called “highly important,” was estimated to sell for up to $9 million. It failed to meet its reserve price Oct. 4 in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong--It appears the buyers at auction and the experts giving the jewelry lots their pre-sale estimates are on different pages these days.
For the second time in about a two-week period, the predicted top lot of a jewelry auction failed to sell.
At the Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale held at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Oct. 4, the auction house predicted that a “highly important” jadeite bangle would lead the event with a pre-sale estimate of between $6.4 million and $9 million.
Instead, it failed to meet its reserve price, just like a 27-carat oval diamond ring recently did at Sotheby’s New York.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong did not respond to a request for comment on the failed sale by press time.
The top lot of the sale turned out to be a colored gemstone, also mirroring the results of the New York sale.
A ring featuring a 5.07-carat ruby surrounded by four pear-shaped diamonds weighing 7.56 total carats, accented with circular-cut diamonds and mounted in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold, sold for about $1.9 million.
Following the ruby ring were more colored stones, with a matching Bulgari set comprising an emerald and diamond necklace and earrings falling just behind when it garnered approximately $1.8 million, surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $1 million.
A Cartier ring set with a 13.60-carat cut-cornered rectangular step-cut diamond sold for $1.7 million, a VS2 clarity oval fancy vivid yellow diamond of 10.81 carats followed behind at $1.2 million, and two brilliant-cut unmounted diamonds weighing 5.96 and 5.86 carats garnered $1.1 million.
A natural 5.07-carat Burmese ruby, surrounded by four pear-shaped diamonds weighing 7.56 carats in total, accented with circular-cut diamonds, led the Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale Oct. 4 when it sold for $1.9 million.
This Bulgari demi-parure (matching set) comprises a necklace with three graduated step-cut emeralds weighing 12, 10.14 and 6.91 carats, with smaller step-cut emeralds and diamonds, and a pair of matching earrings, each set with a step-cut emerald weighing 6.01 and 5.92 carats, as well as additional smaller emerald and diamond accents. It garnered approximately $1.8 million.
This Cartier ring is set with a cut-cornered rectangular step-cut diamond weighing 13.60 carats, flanked by two baguette diamonds and mounted in platinum. The D color, flawless stone sold for $1.7 million.
A VS2 clarity oval fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing 10.81 carats went for $1.2 million.
Two jadeite pieces did appear in the top lots--a pair of highly translucent jadeite double hoop earrings surmounted by an oval diamond each weighing 1.01 carats went for approximately $815,000, and a necklace composed of 47 translucent jadeite beads with a clasp set with circular-cut diamonds and calibré-cut rubies sold for about $737,000.
Rounding out the top 10 were a pair of earrings featuring pear-shaped diamonds weighing 5.10 and 5.07 carats that garnered about $691,000; a bracelet comprised of 28 emerald-cut diamonds weighing 57.75 carats total that sold for about $614,000; and a fancy intense yellow, fancy yellow, fancy light yellow and white diamond necklace and earring matching set from Graff that also went for about $614,000.
The sale generated revenues of more than $24.8 million but was only 60 percent sold by lot, with 115 out of 192 lots on offer finding buyers.
The
More on Auctions
The Latest
ColumnistsMay 21, 2025
Edahn’s Take: Analyzing the 2025 ‘$100 Million Supersellers’ List In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.
MajorsMay 21, 2025
Beyoncé Dons Brilliant Earth Necklace During Cowboy Carter TourThe bolo tie necklace is inspired by “Queen Bey” and set with a nearly 15-carat black diamond.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 21, 2025
Gem Legacy Expands Advisory CouncilThe nonprofit focused on mining communities in East Africa has added three new members to its advisory council.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Annie Doresca to Lead DCA as New CEO, PresidentCurrent Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.
FinancialsMay 20, 2025
QVC Group to Voluntarily Delist from NasdaqThe company's Series A shares will continue to trade following a reverse stock split while its Series B shares will be delisted.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
ColumnistsMay 20, 2025
Peter Smith: Leading Through ChangeCommunicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.
IndependentsMay 20, 2025
Luis Morais Opens Flagship, Launches Collection Celebrating 25 YearsThe “Inner Journey” collection debuted as the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary, with designs inspired by Morais’ journey.
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Tanishq Opens Seventh U.S. StoreTanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.
FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.
IndependentsMay 19, 2025
Day’s Jewelers to Open Ninth LocationThe retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern WorldSapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
