A ruby ring and the celebrated “Martian Pink” diamond were the big winners at Christie’s Hong Kong jewelry sale on May 29.
The Etcetra 6.04-ct. Burmese ruby ring sold for $3.3 million, or a record $551,000 per carat.
There were similarly impressive results for the much-heralded 12.2 ct. “Martian Pink.“
The diamond sold for $17.3 million, or $1.44 million a carat. That price is nearly double its $8 million to $10 million pre-sale estimate.
An anonymous buyer purchased the brilliant-cut diamond, designed by Harry Winston. The stone is the largest round fancy intense pink diamond ever to be sold at auction. Winston named the diamond the Martian Pink to celebrate the U.S. satellite mission to Mars in 1976, the year he purchased the jewel.
In total, the auction brought in $80 million.
“Having appeared on the market for the first time in 36 years, The Martian Pink sold by Harry Winston in 1976 created a sensation during its worldwide exhibition tour and achieved a staggering $17.4 million after a ten minute bidding war. The $80 million auction was highlighted with top prices across the board, culminating in a world record price of $551,000 per carat for a perfect Burmese ruby of 6.04 carats,” said Vickie Sek, director and head of Jewellery & Jadeite Department, Christie’s Asia, in a statement.
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