Pre-Auction Analysis: June 08, 2022, Christie’s New York – Magnificent Jewels

Our Christie’s New York Pre-Auction Analysis focuses on elements that aren’t visible to the untrained eye. We describe important visual elements for those who cannot attend the preview. We discuss characteristics such as: Inner-Grade, Color Dispersion, and Undertone – collectively termed IDU. These visual assets are explained in detail at the bottom of this article.

It is important to note that we analyze and grade these Fancy Color Diamonds under LED light and relative to their GIA grade.

We use grades 1, 2, 3, and 4, with 1 being the lowest grade. Grade “4+” is granted in rare cases and denotes stones with exceptional characteristics. Stones that receive a minimum total IDU score of 9, without a red remark, pass the industry threshold and can be traded easily. Fancy Color Diamonds that are graded 10 or above (without a quality remark) are usually sought after by high-end jewelers and collectors.

For your convenience, we have added direct links to the GIA reports.

• All images in this article review were taken with an iPhone 13 Pro; no filters were applied.
• All auction valuations are per-carat and listed in US Dollars.

Disclaimer
This analysis reflects the opinions of the FCRF professional team. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or not buy a particular diamond. Buyers assume the responsibility of verifying any information with the auction house. At times, mistakes can happen in the visual analysis and report placement. Therefore, one should not rely solely on this analysis for buying purposes.

Lot: 19
Description: 15.98 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Oval, VS1
High Auction Estimation: $18,773 pc
Price Realized: $43,367 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A large and unusual Fancy Intense Yellow oval. The extremely low depth percentage makes the stone appear much larger relative to its weight. However, the large open culet and the general facet arrangement create many colorless patches. The Inner-grade is not strong and no significant green or brown undertone is seen in the hue.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………2
Color Dispersion.………2
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..6 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Low Color Dispersion

Lot: 20
Description: 19.76, Fancy Yellow, Old-Mine Cushion Cut, VS2
High Auction Estimation: $15,182 pc
Price Realized: $19,130 pc
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A classic Old-Mine Cut diamond, probably manufactured at the beginning of the previous century. Signs of age are clearly visible on different parts of the stone, including its girdle. The diamond’s 72% depth makes it appear small relative to its weight, though this can be expected from a genuine Old-Mine Cut diamond. The yellow color is well-hidden under the crown, and can mainly be seen when the stone is tilted. As the Inner-Grade is solid, changing the angles of the stone could result in a stronger saturation.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………1
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..7 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Low Color Dispersion

Lot: 49
Description: 5.50 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Radiant, VVS1
High Auction Estimation: $45,454 pc
Price Realized: $34,363
Rarity: A similar diamond enters the market once every… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A 5.50 Vivid Yellow Radiant Cut Diamond with dimensions that could present a larger weight. The Inner-Grade is solid and color dispersion is high. A mild green undertone can be seen in the hue. Color is well dispersed in most areas of the face-up view.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………4
Undertone..…………………2
Total Visual Score…..9 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Mild Green Undertone

Lot: 50
Description: 2.73 ct, Fancy Purplish-Pink, Pear, VS1
High Auction Estimation: $109,890 pc
Price Realized: $180,000
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A Fancy Pink Pear-shaped diamond with a purple modifier that gives a pleasant color sensation. The Inner-Grade appears very weak, especially when placing it close to a diamond light, a sign that could indicate it is Type IIa. The shape outline was not made meticulously, as it is more triangular-looking than Pear-shaped, i.e. straight towards the point and not rounded enough at its base.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………1
Color Dispersion.………3
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..7 out of 12
Quality Remarks…………Odd Outline, Low Inner-Grade

Lot: 89
Description: 1.40 ct, Fancy Intense Purplish-Pink, Cushion, IF
High Auction Estimation: $214,285 pc
Price Realized: $243,000 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A Fancy Intense Pink diamond with a ~20% purple modifier in the color mix, which will meet the color expectations most buyers have of a pink diamond. Although the diamond is mounted in pink gold, the Inner-Grade seems to be on the low end. Several dark colorless patches are seen on the crown.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………1
Color Dispersion.………3
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..7 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Low Inner-Grade

Lot: 91 (Please note that this lot has been withdrawn from the auction.)
Description: 58.49 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Radiant, VS1
High Auction Estimation: $42,742 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A very large Vivid Yellow Radiant cut. Looking at the facet alignment and the large, colorless areas under the table and on the crown, we can assume the diamond was cut and polished during the 1980s – 1990s. The Inner-Grade is on the low side, and no significant undertone is seen in the color.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………2
Color Dispersion.………2
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..7 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Low Color Dispersion

General

We use 1, 2, 3, 4, and 4+ to grade the three visual elements that GIA is silent about, although they impact the value dramatically.

Inner-Grade refers to the strength of color within each GIA saturation category:

Grade 1 weakest, bordering the saturation below.

Grade 2 weak (most common).

Grade 3 full-bodied color (above average).

Grade 4 very strong saturation.

Grade 4+ applies to the vivid category only, exhibiting the strongest possible saturation (rarely seen).

Undertone refers to a subtle hue influence in the body color of the stone.

For example:

A Fancy Blue Diamond with a significant gray presence in its general appearance will be graded with a low undertone grade of 1. A Fancy Blue that has no gray influence that is close to a primary blue will receive the grade, 4.

In a Pink Fancy Color Diamond, a stone with a warm undertone (such as orange or brown) will receive a low undertone grade. A pink stone with a cold undertone (such as purple) will receive a high grade.

In Yellow Fancy Color Diamonds, low foreign influence or a light orange influence will grant the stone a high undertone grade. When the yellow undertone looks like a true primary yellow, it will receive the rare grade 4+. Green and brown undertones will grant a low grade in the yellow category.

Color Dispersion relates to how well the color is dispersed in the face-up view of a Fancy Color Diamond, regardless as to whether the GIA grades the stone as even. A stone with many colorless areas will receive a grade of 1, while a stone that exhibits its face-up view with no colorless patches will receive a grade of 4+. Unlike the first two elements, the color dispersion is not a gemological quality and is the result of cutter proficiency.