HONG KONG.- Tiancheng International Jewellery and Jadeite Autumn Auction 2015 concluded with triumph today, realising over HK$245 million╱US$31.4 million. Together with the spring auction, Tiancheng achieved HK$540 million╱US$69 million in 2015. With 87% of total value sold and nearly 80% of lot sold, the sale was led by eight lots soaring above HK$10 million. The Mikimoto Collection was all sold, over one-fifth of lots were sold above the estimate and a world auction record for colour-changing spinel was set.

The top lot of the auction belongs to the Pair of Jadeite, Icy Lavender Jadeite, Coloured Diamond and Diamond Pendent Earrings╱Ring╱Pendent Necklace. Beginning at HK$16 million and after 7 intense bids, the magnificent piece was hammered at HK$22 million, which was eventually sold to a phone bidder for HK$ 25.96 million╱US$ 3.33 million including the buyer’s premium. This is an extraordinary work by renowned designer Alessio Boschi. The two enormous jadeite cabochons are characterised by full-bodied roundedness and captivating translucency. Coinciding with each other, the graceful purple and lustrous green delineates the virtues of auspiciousness symbolised by jadeite. They can be flexibly transformed into a pendent necklace, earrings or rings to suit diverse occasions, while accentuating the owner’s privileged status.

Another star item belongs to the 25.79-Carat Natural Untreated Sri Lankan Colour-Changing Cobalt Spinel and Diamond Ring. Bidding opened at HK$500,000 and the room bidders were successively outbid, followed by an intense bid battle among three phone bidders from HK$ 800,000 to HK$ 1.4 million. Abruptly the forth phone bidder jumped in and after a total of 20 furious bids in 5 minutes, the precious spinel was hammered at an astonishing price of more than double of its estimate — HK$1.5 million, which was eventually sold for HK$ 1.77 million╱US$ 230,000 including the buyer’s premium, setting a world auction record for colour-changing spinel. The spinel appears blue in daylight but turns purplish under incandescent light, looking enchanting in different ways. Characterized by its rarity, it is considered extraordinary for the brilliant radiance it evokes that is hardly seen in other gems. Mistaken for a blue sapphire, it had been stored in a private fault for over 50 years until the rediscovery of its original value by Tiancheng International’s specialists. It is by far the largest colour-changing cobalt spinel to be offered at auction. Also noteworthy is a 5.21-Carat Natural Fancy Deep Yellow Diamond and Diamond Ring, namely “Sierra Leone Golden Tiger Eye”. Starting from HK$ 1.8 million to HK$ 4 million through 12 bids, the natural beauty was finally sold at HK$ 4.72 million╱US$ 600,000 including the buyer’s premium. Zimi yellow diamonds emanates unique deep warm yellow hue that is more intense than other top quality yellow diamonds, resembling the fiery glint of regality that calls to mind the glow in a tiger’s eyes.

Stewart Young, Director of Jewellery Department of Tiancheng International, remarked, “We are very pleased by the results today. Under such conservative atmosphere, not only did we received a stunning auction result, but also set a world auction record. With the impressive 87% of total value sold and nearly 80% of lot sold, it has re-affirmed our strategy towards exquisite jewelleries. While the top 10 lots sold are all rare founds in the market, our designer pieces are also sought-after by connoisseurs, reflecting the keen demand for refined diamond and jadeite jewelleries. Some unique items like the 7.08-Carat Natural Untreated Sri Lankan Red Spinel “God of Success” Elephant Pendant was widely loved by collectors and sold for two times its estimate. Going forward, we will assuredly continue to present the finest treasures to all collectors!”

Wang Jie, Managing Director of Tiancheng International, commented, “This thrilling result is a testament of the continuous support of our connoisseurs. We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to every collector, see you all again in our spring auction 2016!”