White and fancy colour diamonds were the stars of recently concluded international jewellery auctions, demonstrating the sustained market potential and consumer appeal of high-end diamonds.

A 5.72-carat fancy intense blue cushion brilliant-cut diamond ring in platinum with round diamond accents was the top lot at Christie's Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on December 10, fetching US$8.8 million (around HK$68.41 million).

The Type IIB diamond, earlier valued at US$6 million to US$8 million (approximately HK$46.64 million to HK$62.19 million), is of natural colour and VVS1 clarity grade as per a Gemological Institute of America report.

The sale also featured several important private collections and celebrated jewellers including Suzanne Belperron, Cartier, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co and Van Cleef & Arpels, among others. 

A pair of Harry Winston diamond earrings in platinum adorned with oval brilliant-cut diamond pendants of 10.10 and 10.08 carats, respectively, was also a winner at the event, having achieved US$1.86 million (around HK$14.46 million); while a 15.20-carat oval brilliant-cut D-colour Type IIA diamond ring sold for US$1.38 million (about HK$10.72 million).

A total of US$49.24 million (about HK$382.8 million) was generated from the auction. 

Over at Sotheby’s New York, white diamonds from the collection of American beauty entrepreneur and philanthropist Sydell Miller were among the most favoured lots at the Magnificent Jewels auction on December 11.

The collection was 100 per cent sold, top-billed by a Graff diamond necklace composed of graduated pear-shaped diamonds, with a detachable pear-shaped diamond drop centre stone weighing 18.00 carats – all of D colour. The necklace achieved US$1.8 million (approximately HK$14 million).

A 21.46-carat emerald-cut diamond ring, also by Graff, was likewise snapped up for US$1.8 million (around HK$14 million).

Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York achieved US$30 million (about HK$233.18 million), with 92 per cent of total lots offered having been sold.

Meanwhile, a fancy vivid yellow diamond and diamond toi et moi ring was the highlight of Phillips’ New York Jewels Auction on December 13. The platinum ring, which fetched US$254,000 (around HK$1.97 million), is set with a pear-shaped diamond weighing 5.03 carats and a similarly shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing 3.61 carats, accented with brilliant-cut diamonds and similarly cut diamonds of yellow tint.