HONG KONG.- Phillips unveiled two star lots from the upcoming Jewels and Jadeite auction, taking place on 29 May at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. The leading lot is The Secret Pink, a Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink, Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring (estimate: HKD45,000,000 – 55,000,000), comprising two extremely rare vivid pink diamonds in a remarkable and unique design. Followed by our cover lot of this season, a Diamond and Emerald Ring, Monture Cartier, circa 1950 (estimate: HKD3,600,000 – 4,500,000).

The Secret Pink, featuring to the top is a 4.23-carat internally flawless, antique Golconda-type Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond, sheltered another 1.39-carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond from the Argyle Mine underneath, an ingenious design showcasing a juxtaposition of old and new. The 4.23-carat Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond purportedly comes from the renowned Golconda region in India, where the world’s most important and notable diamonds were discovered before 20th century. Devoid of nitrogen the intensity of pink colour on this diamond is amazingly potent and distinct, even when viewed from the side. Being both an internally flawless and a Type IIa diamond, it bears all the hallmarks of an ancient Golconda gem. Apart from one extremely rare pink diamond, The Secret Pink offers collectors another sensational wonder, a 1.39-carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond from Argyle Mine in Australia. It is estimated that pink diamonds make up less than 0.05 percent of current annual global diamond production. Whilst the yield of gem-quality pink diamonds from Argyle, the prominent source of pink diamonds, is infinitesimally small, even rarer, the majority of this production weighs no more than 0.20 carat size. As such, the present 1.39-carat vivid pink diamond is a natural rarity and undoubtedly from the top tier of the mine’s production.

The Secret Pink is highly collectible among all diamond connoisseurs. It is a homage to the allure of natural pink diamonds, mounted with two stones mined from prestigious and historic sources, and both bestowed with the best colour possible in a natural pink diamond.

A further highlight is the Retro Diamond and Emerald Ring, Monture Cartier (estimate: HKD3,600,000 - 4,500,000,), a rare example of the fine design and craftsmanship from the house of Cartier. The commissioned work is believed to have been mounted for an important clientele in the 1950s. Of iconic retro style, the ring is massively built high off the finger, set with three important stones including an internally flawless D-colour diamond of 5.31 carats and two matching Colombian, no-oil emeralds of over 4 carats each. Inspired by the Egyptian revival designs, the gallery of this ring resembles the wings of the scarab beetle, with geometries that echo the artistic motifs of the ancient civilisation. The fluted lines of gold of the ring mount further echo this motif. As Phillips continues to champion the market for signed period jewellery, this innovative and unique piece from the 1950s would be a treasured addition to any great collection.