Celebrity Life

Blue diamonds are rarer than the blue moon, it’s almost a miracle of nature for it to happen at all. A blue diamond of this size and calibre – over 15-carats and Fancy Vivid blue – is the rarest of them all. The De Beers Cullinan Blue, offered at Sotheby’s, is set to make history with an estimate of over US$48 million this April.

Today, Sotheby’s announced that it will be presenting The De Beers Cullinan Blue, claiming it to be the most valuable blue diamond ever to be offered at auction. Estimated in excess of US$48 million (HK$380 million), the 15.10-carat step-cut blue diamond is recently cut from an exceptional rough stone that was discovered in April 2021.

In its polished and cut state, the blue diamond is now the largest Fancy Vivid blue diamond ever to appear at auction and the largest internally flawless step-cut Fancy Vivid blue diamond that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has ever graded.

Sotheby’s is a purveyor of blue diamonds, having offered a number of exquisite blue diamonds in the past, but this stone, in particular, is the rarest of them all. Only five over 10-carat examples have ever come to auction, and none of them has ever exceeded 15 carats. The sale of The De Beers Cullinan Blue will undoubtedly be a landmark event in itself.

The exceptional blue diamond will go on a global tour, starting from New York, to London, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Taipei, before being offered in a stand-alone, single lot live auction during Sotheby’s Hong Kong Luxury Week.

Commenting on the blue diamond, Patti Wong, Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia says, “Blue diamonds of any kind are rare on the market, but this is the rarest of the rare; nothing of remotely similar calibre has appeared at auction in recent years.”

Wenhao Yu, Chairman of Jewellery and Watches at Sotheby’s Asia adds: “The De Beers Cullinan Blue stands as a proud masterpiece that has been gifted from nature with the hues of the sky and sea, perfected through a step-cut that is bold, distinctive and masterful. Among the rarest of stones in what is arguably the most desirable of colours – powerful and vivid, but at the same time calm and majestic – it must surely rank among the greatest wonders of the natural world. It is literally irresistible.”

The diamond was discovered at the Cullinan Mine in South Africa in 2021, which remains one of the very few sources in the world for rare blue diamonds. Upon discovery of the rough, the De Beers Group worked with its partner Diacore, to cut and polish the rough and bring The De Beers Cullinan Blue to life.

The post The Rarest Blue Diamond Estimated at US$48 Million Comes to Auction appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Watching the devastating events unfold in Afghanistan has no doubt been a horrifying and helpless experience for many, as we, rooted to our seats with our eyes fixated on the screen, wonder if there's anything we could do to help the over half a million Afghans forced to flee from their homes.

Rosie Lillis, a jewellery specialist and a new mother, keenly felt that she needed to do something, saying, "The threat to safety, basic rights to work and education, not to mention lives, is so real and I want to help in whatever way I can to try and support those protecting the women and children most at risk."

Her solution? "Jewellers for Afghanistan", a charity auction to raise funds for the charity Women for Afghan Women, which is a grassroots women's rights organisation helping to evacuate and provide urgent resources, shelter and care to vulnerable women and children during this crisis.

Turns out, many others wanted to help. Twenty-five independent jewellers have responded to Lillis' call to donate a piece of jewellery, including popular brands like Solange, Shaune Leane, Pippa Small, Annoushka and Theo Fennell, to emerging talents like Jessie Thomas, Christopher Thompson-Royds, Rachel Boston and Otiumberg.

Their jewellery will be auctioned as part of an online auction with London fine art auction house Roseberys, with official bidding running for a week from now until Monday, October 4, 2021. In support of this important cause, Roseberys has also waived its fees, meaning that 100 percent of the proceeds raised will go directly to the charity.

Here's the full list of participating jewellers: Annoushka, Bear Brooksbank, Boochier, By Pariah, Christopher Thompson-Royds, Gee Woods, Georgina Boyce, Humphrey Butler, Jessie Thomas, Liv Luttrell, Minka Jewels, Otiumberg, Pippa Small, Rachel Boston, Rebus, Rosa de la Cruz, Ruth Tomlinson, Shaun Leane, Solange Azagury Partridge, Sophie Keegan, Sophie Theakston, Tada and Toy, Tessa Packard, Theo Fennell and Theodora Warre.

Discover the Jewellers for Afghanistan charity auction and place your bids for this incredible cause here.

The post 25 Independent Jewellers Band Together in Charity Auction to Support Afghan Women appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

By now, your bosses and colleagues have probably seen more of your abode than you would've ever expected to show them.

With many of us working from home these days, meetings held over video conferencing apps the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become the new normal. Inevitably, this means letting colleagues into our residences — albeit virtually — and having them catch glimpses of it via our backdrop. Depending on where your workspace is located, this view could range from a boring blank wall to windows or cluttered bookshelves.

Your makeshift office may not be the most glamorous, but there are several easy interior design tricks that you can employ to quickly jazz up the background of your Zoom calls.

Textiles and cushions

If your workstation of choice is the couch or bed, all it takes is a few snazzy throw pillows wrapped in eye-catching fabrics and prints to provide visual interest in the space behind you. Consider dressing your cushions in the Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli collection, which is inspired by modern art — specifically works by Henri Matisse, Vasilij Kandinskij and Paul Klee.

It showcases striking colour blocks embellished with embroideries, ikat details and intertwined motifs. These are available in various patterns and shades ranging from pastel to neutral hues. More details here.

Houseplants and greenery

Adding houseplants to your home office will help the space look less spartan and bland. Smaller plants like cacti, succulents and spider plants can be displayed on shelves or tables, while larger ones such as philodendrons, snake plants and ZZ plant (Zanzibar Gem) can be placed on the floor to break the monotony of blank walls.

Online plant retailer Flora Houses offers a wide variety of houseplants that will thrive indoors and are generally low-maintenance. Its range includes Japanese fir, fiddle leaf fig and Bird of Paradise. The store provides free doorstep delivery with a minimum spend.

Artworks and paintings

Perhaps houseplants may seem like too much of a commitment, or you simply don't have green fingers. This is where paintings and art pieces make an easier alternative. You can simply hang a couple of them on the wall that constantly forms your video call backdrop.

An Andy Warhol or Basquiat will certainly impress your co-workers, but your art doesn't necessarily have to be expensive or by big name artists. Consider procuring artworks instead from indie galleries such as Odd One Out, which boasts an array of creations by local and international printmakers and illustrators. We can't take our eyes off the above acrylic painting by Micke Lindebergh, which is titled 'Small Yellow Flower Pot' and features colourful blooms accented by quirky squiggles and bright hues.

Statement ornaments and furniture

Inject a dose of quirk into your meeting setup by peppering your background with assorted decorative items and statement furniture pieces. These can be anything from figurines to colourful tiles and dramatic room dividers.

Our go-to is Lala Curio, which is a whimsical wonderland of objets d'art such as brass monkey sculptures, cloisonné birds, and, one of our favourites — an adorable trio of cranes adorned with rock crystal feathers and perched on crystal balls.

Wallpaper

Why settle for one specially curated work area, when you can turn your whole room into an Instagram-worthy space? Wallpaper is a bold and easy solution — if every wall in your room is clad in beautiful prints, you can essentially park yourself in any corner and still have an envy-inducing Zoom backdrop.

Designer wallpaper has seen a resurgence in recent years, and we're obsessed with Christian Lacroix's exquisite Oiseau Fleur vinyl wallpaper, which depicts vibrant botanical and bird motifs against a silk effect embossed base. It comes in two colourways of pink and grey.

(Main image: Brina Blum/ Unsplash; Featured image: Christian Lacroix)

The post Wenhao Yu of Sotheby’s on How to Grade Jade appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The largest diamond auctioned online by Christie's is a 28.86-carat, D-colour, VVS1, which is estimated to fetch US$1 to US$2 million (HK$7.75 million to HK$15.5 million).

Even without the lockdowns and social distancing, auctions have been transitioning into the digital sphere since the highly successful sales of Elizabeth Taylor’s inaugural auction in 2011. Live auctions offer privacy and flexibility in taking a closer look at items in detail with 100% anonymity. Now that we are in times where staying away from people is encouraged, online auctions have been soaring with new members registering online and boosting sales up 80% in general, with a sell through rate of up to 99%, according to Christie’s.

“As the jewelry auction market leader for over twenty-six years, our team continues to strategically innovate and bring to market the very best jewels for our clients. This year has presented unprecedented circumstances, enabling Christie’s new opportunities through our enhanced digital platform. Recognising greater client confidence, we are proud to announce the highest valued lot ever to be offered for sale in our June 2020 Jewels Online auction.” -- Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewelry at Christie’s

In its upcoming online auction which will be held from 16 to 30 June, Christie’s will outdo itself with a whopping 28.86-carat, D colour, VVSI, emerald cut diamond. Estimated to be the highest valued piece ever to be sold for the house online, it’s expected to sell for US$1 to 2 million (HK$7.75 million to HK$1.55 billion).

The value of this diamond comes from the combination of its colour, the highest quality of colour and transparency in natural diamonds measured by GIA. Belonging to the Type IIa category, it is the most chemically pure (less than 2% can reach this status) diamond of extreme quality. Not to mention, the sizeable gem, making these three qualities found in one diamond exceptionally rare. Lastly, the cut -- one of oldest in terms of traditions -- which is the step-cut emerald has fewer facets and is unforgiving when it comes to flaws and impurities.

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With the 28.86 Spectacular Diamond Ring, other hard-to-come-by pieces will also go under the "digital" hammer including a Graff Diamond and Sapphire Necklace of tapering openwork flower motif design (estimated at US$70,000 to US$100,000 or HK$543,000 to HK$775,000); a Kutchinsky Cuff Bracelet featuring pear-shaped emeralds and round yellow diamonds on a field of white diamond pave (estimated at US$30,000 to US$50,000 or HK$233,000 to HK$388,000); and a Van Cleef & Arpels Brooch in the style of a four leaf clover with chrysoprase petals, centring on a round diamond and sculpted gold pistil (estimated at US$6,000 to US$8,000 or HK$47,000 to HK$62,000).

The online showing room will be open 16-30 June 2020 at www.christies.com.

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One of the biggest (provenance-wise) auctions of the year sees Sotheby's and Christie's turn their focus away from Museum to high net worth private collectors.

The post Marie Antoinette’s Jewellery Collection and Other Royal Gems Come to Sotheby’s appeared first on LUXUO.