FOCUS 16 | JNA January/February 2023 If results of last year’s jewellery auctions are any indication, then 2023 is shaping up to be yet another favourable year for this vital sector in the international gemstone and jewellery industry. According to major auction houses, sales in 2022 benefited from the market’s growing fascination for exceptional and valuable gems as buyers increasingly favour provenance, compelling narratives and inimitable quality when making buying decisions. Among last year’s top-performing lots were ultra-rare fancy colour diamonds, large white diamonds and an eclectic collection of diamond- and gem-studded jewellery, and signed pieces. These results indicate consumers’ enduring preference for top-quality, collectible items as well as the resilience of perennial favourites such as diamonds and the coloured gemstone trio of rubies, sapphires and emeralds, and other emerging gems. Other promising developments in the auction sector are the rise in prominence of Asian collectors as well as digital transformations. Solid growth in jewellery auction sales is also hinged upon further relaxation and total lifting of Covid restrictions around the world. Coveted jewels Five of Sotheby’s top 10 most valuable items sold at auction last year were in the luxury category and from these were two phenomenal diamonds, revealed Uni Kim, jewellery specialist at Sotheby’s. The Williamson Pink Star diamond sold in Hong Kong for US$57.8 million and now holds the world record for any diamond and gemstone price per carat at auction. The De Beers Blue diamond meanwhile achieved US$57.5 million also at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. According to Kim, fancy colour diamonds are desired for their exceptional hues, with the rarest of the rare finding favour among collectors. Diamonds were also the stars of Christie’s auctions – the Fortune Pink diamond, which fetched US$28.8 million in Geneva, became the largest pear-shaped, fancy vivid pink diamond ever to be sold at auction at 18.18 carats. The Rock, the largest white diamond ever offered at auction at 228.31 carats, meanwhile attained US$21.7 million at Christie’s Geneva. Top-performing lots in Hong Kong included an exceptional jadeite bead necklace and an exquisite | Bernardette Sto. Domingo 杜明高 | 珠宝拍卖业的璀璨机遇 jewellery auction sector Brilliant possibilities in Rarity, provenance and refined designs will continue to drive demand for jewellery pieces at auction, with the further easing of Covid restrictions fuelling stronger sales throughout the year. 稀有性、原產地和精致设计将带动拍卖会上竞投者对珠宝的需求，而新冠 疫情限制的进一步放宽，将推动 2023 年的拍卖活动交出更亮丽的成绩。
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