Record Prices of Emerald Ear Pendants and Round Diamonds at Hong Kong Auction

"China and the rest of Asia-continue to flex its economic muscle while feeding its voracious appetite for all kinds of gemstones and jewelry as Christie’s Hong Kong-Magnificent-Jewels sale Tuesday brought in $82.7 million, the most ever for a jewelry auction in Hong Kong"

"The top lot for the event was a pair of near identical round diamonds. The 35.77-carat D flawless type IIa brilliant-cut diamond fetched $8.27 million ($231,000 per carat). A 35.61-carat D flawless type IIa brilliant-cut diamond sold for $8.1 million ($228,000 per carat).

The combined $16.4 million achieved for the two diamonds was the highest price ever for colorless diamonds in Asia, said Vickie Sek, director of Christie’s Asia Jewellery and Jadeite-Department.

"Meanwhile a pair of 25.38- and 23.12-carat cushion-shaped Columbian ear pendants fetched more than $4 million ($83,000 per carat), a world record for emerald-cut earrings"

“Fine colored stones and natural pearls also fetched extremely strong prices,” Sek said.

A total of 241 of the 310 offered were sold (78 percent) and 79 percent were sold by price.