JNA Nov/ Dec 2020

JNA Nov/Dec 2020 | 17 專題報道 generation of collectors. New customers find it easier to navigate the auction world through digital channels, plus there are no geographical limitations. With travel restrictions still in place, the jewellery auction business is poised for more innovation and development, and technology is expected to play a more critical role, noted Yu. Christie’s Kadakia reiterated these sentiments, adding that online sales are a complimentary and supplementary channel for auction houses to attract new buyers. “Our sales events, whether live or online, will coexist and there will eventually be no price threshold for lots sold on either platform,” he continued. The jewellery sector is expected to see a strong resurgence in 2021, with buyers opting for unique jewellery pieces with a story, noted Yu, adding that market adjustments in 2020 laid a more solid foundation for the year ahead. Roskind of Bonhams is likewise optimistic about the future of the fine jewellery and gemstone business, with consumer demand and market sentiment remaining sturdy into 2021. For Whittaker of Fellows, continuous improvement and innovation is crucial to sustaining growth. “While not being an e-commerce website, we’ve had to compete with others, so we adapted parts of our business to make it more efficient,” she stated. “We can’t see ourselves returning to the pre-2020 way of doing things. We have made changes to improve our business in a post-pandemic world.” Lau of Phillips also maintained an upbeat outlook on the back of soaring consumer demand, especially for high-value items. Stronger interest in the middle market is also seen to grow as buyers become increasingly accustomed to a virus-stricken environment. “The finest and rarest diamonds, gemstones and jewellery retain a high degree of independence vis-a-vis external environmental conditions. Historically, things bounce back strongly after a headwind, and we’re expecting it to be the case in a post-pandemic era,” explained Lau. An “imperial green” jadeite, ruby and diamond necklace, which sold for HK$80.66 million (around US$10.41 million) at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale in July 天然帝王綠翡翠珠配紅寶石及鑽石項鏈， 7 月在蘇富 比瑰麗珠寶拍賣會上，以 8,066 萬港元(約 1,041 萬 美元)成交 A 69.82-carat oval-shaped tanzanite auctioned off at Fellows’ The Gemstone Sale in July 斐樂絲於 7 月的寶石拍賣會上售出的 69.82 克拉橢 圓形坦桑石 A 5.04-carat fancy vivid Type IIB blue diamond ring and a 4.49-carat fancy vivid internally flawless pink diamond, which achieved HK$81.8 million (around US$10.55 million) and HK$63 million (around US$8.13 million), respectively, at a Sotheby’s July auction 5.04 克拉藍色 IIB 型鑽石戒指和 4.49 克拉艷彩內部 無瑕粉紅鑽戒指， 7 月分別在蘇富比的拍賣會上以 8,180 萬港元(約 1,055 萬美元)及 6,300 萬港元(約 813 萬美元)成交 A two-stone ring with a 5.34-carat fancy vivid internally flawless blue diamond and a 5.37-carat D-colour internally flawless white diamond by Reza, which realised CHF 8.73 million (around US$9.7 million) at Christie’s Geneva in July 由珠寶設計師 Reza 設計，鑲有一顆 5.34 克拉艷彩內 部無瑕藍鑽和一顆 5.37 克拉 D 色內部無瑕白鑽的雙鑽 戒指， 7 月在佳士得日內瓦拍賣會上，以 873 萬瑞士 法朗(約 970 萬美元)成交