Phillips to Auction Prestigious Jewels and Jadeites at Spring Sale in Hong Kong

The much-anticipated Phillips Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale will be held on 27 May in Hong Kong. It will feature exceptional gemstones, historical jewels and vintage jadeite jewellery, all of which will be on display from 23 to 26 May at the JW Marriott in Admiralty. Founded in 1796, Harry Phillips was an auctioneer with an acute sense of business and a flair for showmanship. And, although the company has changed ownership many times since, the Phillips name has stayed strong. Today, the auctioneers are a well-regarded name among collectors of contemporary art, watches and fine jewellery. Connoisseurs and tastemakers can view these exquisite pieces before the bidding begins at the International Highlights Tour, which kicked off in Singapore, continued through to Shanghai and finally this weekend in Taipei. Among the glittering lot to go under the hammer on 27 May in Hong Kong are a distinctive Ashoka cut diamond and a unique sautoir necklace. Here are some of the highlights from the sale:    

Indian Brilliance

Only a very special kind of rough can become the patented Ashoka diamond. After all, it takes a total of 62 facets – four more than a standard round — for it to have the desirable rarity.  Legend has it that Indian king Ashoka once came across a breathtaking 41.37 carat, D flawless diamond; he believed it had the power to banish all sorrow. Centuries later, William Goldberg, inspired by this mystical diamond, developed a unique cut resembling the original Ashoka diamond’s long cushion shape. This ring has a 10.05-carat Ashoka-cut diamond to its credit. The gallery and shank are set with tiny brilliant-cut diamonds.  

Glamour of Green

Jadeites are prized for their translucency and the quality of reflecting a water-like substance within them. This bangle’s beauty lies in the graceful setting of 17 oval jadeite cabochons amid a sparkling cluster of pavé-set diamonds. The structural mechanism expands and closes allowing the wearer to put it on with ease.    

Still got the Blues  

Harry Winston is a master of producing intricate designs that enhance the natural brilliance of diamonds. One such invention, born out of the desire to produce the most vibrant diamond jewels, is the signature Winston Cluster. A striking example of this setting will be auctioned during the Spring Sale. It is a pair of sapphire and diamond pendant ear-clips. What makes this set particularly special, are two cushion-shaped sapphires, over 5 carats each, unearthed from the famed mines of Kashmir.  

Magic and Mystery  

One of the rarer shapes in coloured diamonds is the round brilliant-cut. This is due to the high wastage during the cutting process and the general undermining of the colour saturation. However, a beautiful anomaly presented itself when this pair of pink diamond earrings surfaced in the jewellery market. This pair of earrings, with its two circular-cut intense pink diamonds, has a charming intense saturation despite its round brilliant-cut, while the feminine ribbon in scroll-mounted baguette diamonds enhance the beauty even further.  

Vintage Glory

In the 1920s, French maison Mauboussin garnered attention for its bold jewellery designs. They were vibrant and sharp with quintessential Parisian Art Deco designs, instead of the trending ostentatious ones. One of the striking examples of Mauboussin’s earliest haute joaillerie creations is this unique sautoir necklace. Set with 12 carved rubies, it is highlighted by fluted emerald beads and multi-coloured gemstones. The Giardinetto-style pendant doubles up as a brooch, while the necklace gold links can be separated to form four individual bracelets.  

Water of the Sea  

The alluring aquamarine’s greenish-blue colour has made it a desirable gem for centuries. When the first few were unearthed in the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil, they were a rare saturated deep blue colour with ‘eye clean’ clarity. This ring gets its glamour from a magnificent 61.95 carat, step-cut aquamarine in a natural crisp blue hue. While most aquamarines require heat treatment to achieve a deep blue hue, this ring presents no such indications. A spectacle of nature, indeed.   The Hong Kong preview of the Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale will take place from 23 to 26 May 2019, at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, 88 Queensway, Admiralty; the auction will take place on 27 May at 2:20pm at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong. If you can’t be in Hong Kong for the auction, you can still bid via the Phillips app. For more information, check out the website www.phillips.com

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