In this article, we have picked out some Lots which are priced extremely low, almost too good to be true if we were to purchase them at the low estimate (even after adding the buyer's premium). Below we have listed these jewellery lots as well as comparative pieces from other auction houses across the years. This provides an idea of what the actual piece may look like as very often, there are discrepancies between the picture and the actual gemstone.
Click here to return to other preliminary reviews this Spring 2020 Auction season.
< 7 July 2020 | 146 Lots Total >
Our Picks < 6 Lots >
3 Rubies
2 Sapphires
1 Emerald
All our comparisons are based on low auction estimates excluding buyer's premium.
LOT23 | 8.27 carats Royal Blue Burmese No Heat
SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING
Centering on a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 8.27 carats, surrounded by pear-shaped diamonds together weighing approximately 2.70 carats, mounted in 18 karat white gold.
Ring size: 6¼ Accompanied by GRS report numbered GRS2019-098628, dated 20 September 2019, stating that the 8.27 carat sapphire is natural, Vivid to Deep Blue (GRS type “Royal Blue” ) colour, of Burmese origin, with no indication of thermal treatment.
HK$360,000-560,000 US$46,000-71,800
Our thoughts:
US$5750/ct for a 8ct Burmese No Heat Royal Blue
Usually we would expect around US$8000/ct for a decent quality sapphire
Lot 23 seems to be very included - and we would expect the colour to be dark and dull at this price estimate
LOT50 | 3.77 & 3.03 carats Ruby Burmese Mogok No Heat
PAIR OF RUBY AND DIAMOND EARRINGS
Each centring on an oval ruby weighing 3.77 and 3.03 carats respectively, decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds altogether weighing approximately 2.95 carats, mounted in 18 karat white and yellow gold.
GRS report numbered GRS2018-115552, stating that the 3.77 carat ruby is natural, Red colour, of Burmese (Mogok) origin, with no indication of thermal treatment; Lotus report numbered 7334-8684, stating that the 3.03 carat ruby is natural, Red colour, of medium-deep tone and intense saturation, of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating or treatment.
HK$250,000-450,000 US$32,000-58,000
Our thoughts:
US$4,500/ct for two 3ct Rubies Burmese Mogok No Heat
A good quality 3ct Burmese Mogok No Heat Pigeon Blood would already be estimated at US$103,000/ct
Lot 23 seems to be extremely included and cloudy - we would expect the stone to be full of visible inclusions which is a rather low quality stone
Comparison pair of earrings: 4.01 & 3.39 cts Burmese No Heat Pigeon Blood Rubies
US$103,000/ct (excl. premium) for similar specifications, however in Pigeon's Blood colour and it has very slight inclusions
AN EXQUISITE PAIR OF RUBY AND DIAMOND PENDENT EARRINGS
SOLD for HK$ 7,375,625 (US$ 950,000) inc. premium
By BONHAMS Autumn Auction Nov 2019
Each centring upon an oval-cut ruby, weighing 4.01 and 3.39 carats, between pear-shaped diamond clusters, accented by brilliant-cut diamonds, diamonds approximately 6.40 carats total, length 3.7cm
Accompanied by two reports from SSEF stating that natural rubies are 'pigeon's blood' red colour, have no indications of heat treatment and originate from Burma (Myanmar). Report numbers 97566 and 97569, both dated 23 January 2018. Accompanied by two Gubelin reports stating that the natural rubies have no indications of heat treatment and originate from Burma (Myanmar), one is of 'pigeon's blood' red colour. Report numbers 18037201 and 18037202, both dated 6 March 2018. Also accompanied by two information sheets stating that rubies from Burma (Mogok), are rare, and associated with being the most desirable in the world.
Our thoughts:
Given the price difference, of almost 20 times per carat, we can only imagine how included the first ruby would turn out to be in real life
LOT51 | 9.09 carats Ruby Burmese Mogok No Heat
RUBY AND DIAMOND RING
Centring on a cushion-shaped ruby weighing 9.09 carats, within a brilliant-cut diamond-set surround, the diamonds together weighing approximately 1.65 carats, mounted in 18 karat white and yellow gold.
Accompanied by GRS report numbered GRS2019-040298, dated 3 April 2019, stating that the 9.09 carat ruby is natural, Red colour, of Burmese (Mogok) origin, with no indication of thermal treatment
HK$980,000-1,580,000 US$126,000-202,600
Our thoughts:
US$13,800/ct for a 9ct Ruby Burmese Mogok No Heat
A decent quality 7ct Burmese Mogok No Heat Pigeon Blood would be estimated at US$201,000/ct
Lot 51 seems to be full of inclusions, and we would expect the Ruby to look very purplish-pink in real life at this price estimate
Comparison Ruby : 7.04cts Burmese Pigeon Blood No Heat
US$201,000/ct for similar specifications in 7cts, however in Pigeon's Blood colour and with only slight inclusions
A RARE RUBY AND DIAMOND RING
HKD 11,000,000 - HKD 15,000,000 (US$1,419,000 - US$1,935,421)
By CHRISTIE'S
Set with an oval-shaped ruby weighing 7.04 carats, within an oval-shaped diamond surround, mounted in 18k white gold,ring size 5½
Accompanied by report no. 57532 dated 23 September 2010 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the 7.04 carat ruby is of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating; also accompanied by an appendix stating that the 7.04 carat ruby possess extraordinary characteristics and merit a special mention and appreciation. The ruby exhibits a well-saturated colour combined with a pleasant cutting style. Its vivid red, poetically referred to as "pigeon's blood", is due to a combination of well-balanced trace elements in the stone, typical and characteristics for rubies of the Mogok gemstone tract. Natural rubies from this size and colour represent a great rarity and the 7.04 carat ruby with its combination of outstanding characteristics is a very exceptional treasure.
Our thoughts:
This Ruby is US$201,000/ct, yet inclusions are visible
Given that the previous ruby was at US$13,800/ct, the colour of it would most likely be very purplish/pinkish with even more inclusions
LOT59 | 7.00 carats Sapphire Royal Blue Burmese No Heat
SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING
Centring on a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 7.00 carats, to a double frame decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds together weighing approximately 2.40 carats, mounted in 18 karat white and yellow gold.
Accompanied by GRS report numbered GRS2019-032339, dated 13 March 2019, stating that the 7.00 carat sapphire is natural, Vivid Blue (GRS type “Royal Blue”) colour, of Burmese origin, with no indication of thermal treatment.
HK$150,000-250,000 US$19,200-32,000
Our thoughts:
US$3,000/ct for a 7ct Sapphire Burmese Royal Blue No Heat
Lot 59 is most likely a cube shape with the dimensions 10.16mm x 9.38mm x 8.15mm
However, even with a 3ct face up size, this is still a good price for a 7ct Burmese Royal Blue No Heat
It would most likely also be very cloudy and included at this price estimate
Usually we would expect around US$6,000/ct
Comparison Sapphire : 6.45 cts Burmese No Heat Royal Blue Sapphire
US$5,400/ct for similar specifications in 6cts, however unlike Lot 59, this is not in Royal Blue and has very uneven colouration
Yet, we see a much high price per carat
SAPPHIRE RING
Estimate: 35,000 - 55,000 USD
By SOTHEBY'S Fine Jewels New York Dec 2019
Featuring a cushion-cut sapphire weighing 6.45 carats, size 6½.
Accompanied by AGL report no. 1103450 dated September 9, 2019 stating that the sapphire is of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating.
LOT68 | 5.04 carats Ruby Pigeon Blood Mozambique No Heat
RUBY AND DIAMOND RING
Centering on an oval ruby weighing 5.04 carats, framed by pear-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds extending to the shoulders, the diamonds together weighing approximately 3.15 carats, mounted in 18 karat white gold. Ring size: 6
Accompanied by GRS report numbered GRS2019-020942, dated 18 February 2019, stating that the 5.04 carat ruby is natural, Vivid to Deep Red colour, of Mozambican origin, with no indication of thermal treatment; along with an appendix, stating that ‘This vivid to deep red Mozambique ruby is reminiscent in color saturation of “GRS-type Pigeon Blood ruby” (without strong fluorescence).’
HK$370,000-570,000 US$47,500-73,000
Our thoughts:
US$9,300/ct for a 5ct Mozambique Pigeon Blood Ruby No heat
A similar 5ct Ruby yet heated is already valued at US$11,800/ct
Lot 59 is extremely cheap for a Ruby if it looks exact to the picture
However, we would expect the stone to be very cloudy and included also most likely to be dark and dull
Comparison Ruby : 5.05 cts Mozambique Pigeon Blood Ruby Heated
US$11,800/ct for similar specifications also in 5cts, similar Mozambique Pigeon Blood Ruby Heated
However, this is Heated, but we see a much high price per carat
VERY FINE RUBY
US$ 60,000 - 80,000
By BONHAMS Los Angeles Dec 2017
Mozambique
Distinguished by its sought after pigeon's blood red color, this is a classic ruby with very good clarity and luster. Rubies of over five carats are scarce in today's market. Weighing approximately 5.05 carats and measuring 10.12 x 8.72 x 6.04mm. Accompanied by a GRS Gemresearch Swisslab gemstone report numbered GRS2013-060174T dated June 5, 2013 stating that the 5.05 carats ruby originates from Mozambique and that it is H, vivid red (GRS type "pigeon's blood").
Our thoughts:
Usually there is huge premium for No Heat stones, yet this stone being Heated is priced higher than the previous No Heat one
This stone has obvious clouds and a huge needle inclusion across the table yet it is at US$11,800/ct
Hence the US$9,300/ct previous No Heat Ruby would most likely look much worse in person
LOT101 | 10.07 carats Emerald Colombian No Oil
EMERALD AND DIAMOND RING
Centering on a round emerald weighing 10.07 carats, to a basket decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds extending to the shoulders, the diamonds together weighing approximately 2.85 carats, mounted in 18 karat white gold. Ring size: 6
SSEF report numbered 95481, dated 20 September 2017, stating that the 10.074 carat emerald is natural, Green colour of medium strong saturation, of Colombian origin, with no indications of clarity modification.
HK$1,500,000-2,500,000 US$192,000-320,000
Our thoughts:
US$19,000/ct for a 10ct Colombian No Oil Emerald
A similar 9.77ct Emerald Colombian No Oil of good quality is already valued at US$51,000/ct
Lot 101 would most likely be pale in colour and look cloudy
* Do note that Emeralds tend to look more included in pictures compared to real life
Comparison Emerald:
US$51,000/ct for 9.77ct Emerald Colombian No Oil of good quality
EMERALD AND DIAMOND RING
Estimate: 500,000 - 700,000 USD
By SOTHEBY'S New York Magnificent Jewels Dec 2019
Centering a cushion-cut emerald weighing 9.77 carats, framed by single-cut emeralds, the mounting further highlighted by single-cut diamonds, size 5½, with sizing beads, with maker's mark, numbered 39908.
Accompanied by AGL report no. 1104166 dated October 4, 2019 stating that the emerald is of Classic Colombian origin, clarity enhancement: none.
Our thoughts:
Both Emerald have very similar specs and we can only predict that the previous Emerald which was almost half the price would be much less saturated in colour and have much more obvious inclusions