Christie’s Hong Kong sale of Magnificent Jewels this week realised US$96,904,062, selling 80% by lot and 83% by value.
The Crimson Flame, an exceptionally rare Burmese ruby, sold for US$18 million, setting a world auction record per carat of US$1.2 million.
A flawless gem, the Afghan Emerald fetched US$2.2 million, establishing a world record price for an Afghan emerald at auction.
Vickie Sek, Deputy Chairman Asia & Director of Christie’s Asia Jewellery department, commented: “It’s the year of the ruby at Christie’s Hong Kong. Following the record breaking sale of a ruby necklace in June, the Crimson Flame has established a world auction record per carat of US$1.2 million. Totalling US$97 million, this sale brings our Hong Kong jewellery auctions total up to US$215 million, the highest annual result ever achieved for the category in Asia.”
The sale attracted 160 buyers from 16 countries across 3 continents.
