Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels, November 28, 2021
Due to COVID restrictions, Hong-Kong is still closed to visitors. This Auction Analysis could help those who would like to bid in the upcoming auction without physically inspecting the goods.
Our Christie’s Hong Kong Pre-Auction Analysis focuses on elements that are hidden from the unprofessional eye. We will describe the important visual elements for those who cannot attend the preview and discuss characteristics such as: Undertone, Color Dispersion, and Inner-Grade (UDI; a detailed explanation appears at the bottom of this article). We analyze and grade Fancy Color Diamonds relative to their GIA grade.
We use grades 1, 2, 3, and 4, 1 being the lowest grade. Grade “+” is granted in rare cases and stands for stones with an exceptional characteristic. Stones that receive a minimum total UDI score of 8, 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 jewelry brands, collectors and the investment community.
For your convenience, we have added direct links for the GIA reports.
- All images in this article review were taken with an iPhone 12 pro, no filters were applied.
- All auction valuations are per carat and in US Dollars.
Lot: 1886
Description: 8.01 ct, Fancy Yellow, Cushion, VS1
High Auction Estimation: $6,023 pc
Price Realized: $7,003 pc
Rarity: A small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
An 8 carat Fancy Yellow Cushion cut diamond with a large colorless frame around the table. The gold cup covering the pavilion and the LED lights in the viewing room, give the illusion in these images of a highly saturated diamond. Looking carefully at the video, you will be able to see small Orange flashes between the table and the crown area. These flushes are a result of the yellow gold covering the back of the stone, and enhancing the color.
The small facets between the girdle and the “stars” on the crown are missing, probably following the need to keep the a 8 carat weight. No significant Green or Brown undertone in the hue. The strong Blue fluorescence is not affecting the overall appearance.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
8.01 ct, F.Y, CU, VS1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Strong Blue, low inner-grade |
Total Visual Score 7 out of 12
Lot: 1890
Description: 2.03 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Cushion, VVS1 and 2.02 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Cushion, VS1
High Auction Estimation: $15,851 pc
Price Realized: $10,289 pc
Rarity: A small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report for 2.03 ct: View
GIA Report for 2.02 ct: View
Analysis:
A pair of earrings containing two Fancy Intense Yellow Cushion Cut diamonds. The compatibility between the two stones is low as the 2.02 (on the right) has a very large colorless frame around the table. The 2.03 carat has a strong Blue fluorescence as well as a better inner-grade.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
2.03 ct, F.I.Y, CU, VVS1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
2.02 ct, F.I.Y, CU, VS1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Total Average Score 7 out of 12
Lot: 1892
Description: 4.52 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Cushion, VS2
High Auction Estimation: $14,203 pc
Price Realized: $15,956 pc
Rarity: A small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
A 4.52 fancy intense Yellow Cushion Cut, with a dark colorless frame around the table. The inner-grade is above the average and no significant Green or Brown undertone is present in the hue.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
4.52 ct, F.I.Y, CU, VS2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Total Visual Score 9 out of 12
Lot: 1899
Description: 8.43 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Radiant, VS2
High Auction Estimation: $9,138 pc
Price Realized: $15,210 pc
Rarity: A small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
A fancy Intense Yellow Radiant Cut with a few colorless patches and with no significant undertone in the Yellow hue. The face up view of the stone appears much larger in relation to its weight and the 57% depth confirms this notion. The 80% table and the very small crown contributes to the “spready” appearance.
The GIA report is dated 2006.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
8.43 ct, F.I.Y, Rad, VS2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Total Visual Score 9 out of 12
Lot: 1897
Description: 8.25 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Emerald, VS1
High Auction Estimation: $12,121 pc
Price Realized: $17,484 pc
Rarity: A small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
A Fancy Intense Yellow square Emerald Cut with a strong inner-grade and a poor color dispersion, exhibiting large, dark, colorless areas in the crown and under the table.
The GIA report is dated 2008.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
8.25 ct, F.I.Y, Rad, VS1 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
Low color dispersion |
Total Visual Score 8 out of 12
Lot: 1898
Description: 6.10 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Radiant, IF and 6.02 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Radiant, VS2
High Auction Estimation: $8,250 pc
Price Realized: $18,514 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report for 6.10 ct: View
GIA Report for 6.02 ct: View
Analysis:
A pair of earrings with two Radiant Cut diamonds with unmatching dimensions. Looking at the facet alignment, depth and table size we can assume that both stones were recut from what used to be two round Brilliant Cut diamonds,; in order to reinforce their color. The amount of colorless patches is significant and no prominent undertone is visible in the Yellow hue. The inner-grade is weak on both stones.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
6.10 ct, F.I.Y, Rad, IF |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Low color dis’ and inner grade |
6.02 ct, F.I.Y, Rad, VS2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Total Average Score 7 out of 12
Lot: 1894
Description: 3.18 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Emerald, VVS1
High Auction Estimation: $39,308 pc
Price Realized: $32,761 pc
Rarity: A small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
A 3.18 carat Square Emerald Cut diamond with a very strong Inner-Grade and a soft Orange undertone. The VVS1 clarity is a result of a small cavity on the pavilion which can be probably easily removed.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
3.18 ct, F.V.Y, EM, VVS1 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
Total Visual Score 11 out of 12
Lot: 1957
Description: 4.68 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Round, VVS2
High Auction Estimation: $68,376 pc
Price Realized: $71,920 pc
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
An old-mined Vivid Yellow round Brilliant Cut diamond with typical proportions for the period it was cut and polished. As the stone is an authentic exemplar, the Fair symmetry and the fact that its face-up view will correspond to a smaller carat weight, won’t necessarily negatively impact the value of the stone. The Vivid Inner-Grade is solid and the undertone exhibits an absolute Yellow hue with no Green or Brown undertone.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
4.68 ct, F.V.Y, RS, VVS2 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
Fair symmetry |
Total Visual Score 10 out of 12
Lot: 1893 – Color report only
Description: 1.01 ct, Fancy Vivid Purplish-Pink, Oval
High Auction Estimation: $435,643 pc
Price Realized: $317,385 pc
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
A 1.01 Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond with a sought after cold Purple undertone, and strong Inner-Grade, while exhibiting no colorless patches on the face up view. Two large visible feathers “decorate” the table and would have probably granted the I1 clarity grade if the stone had had a full grading report. After examining the fluorescent (image attached), we can say its level is not stronger than Faint.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
1.01 ct, F.V.P/P, OS |
4 |
4 |
4 |
I1 Clarity |
Total Visual Score 12 out of 12
Lot: 1958
Description: 7.00 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Emerald, VS2
High Auction Estimation: $68,571 pc
Price Realized: $80,139 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
A highly saturated 7.00 carat fancy Vivid Yellow Emerald Cut, exhibiting a soft Orange undertone in the hue. The color dispersion is above average for a Step Cut diamond. The face- up view corresponds to the weight of the stone.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
7.00 ct, F.V.Y, EM, VS2 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
Total Visual Score 11 out of 12
Lot: 1900
Description: 15.02 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Cushion, VVS2
High Auction Estimation: $46,604 pc
Price Realized: $37,348 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
Examining the facet alignment of this large Fancy Vivid Yellow Cushion Cut, we can assume the stone was recut from what used to be a diamond with a traditional facet alignment, in order to reinforce its color. The Inner-Grade is very high and the color dispersion is low, leaving large areas of colorless patches. No significant Green or Brown undertone is present in the hue.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
15.02 ct, F.V.Y, CU, VVS2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
Low color dispersion |
Total Visual Score 8 out of 12
Lot: 1960
Description: 5.31 ct, Fancy Intense Orangy-Pink, Pear, VS2, Type IIa
High Auction Estimation: $357,815 pc
Price Realized: $295,807 pc
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
A 5.31 Fancy Intense Orangy-Pink Pear-shaped diamond, with no Brown undertone, exhibiting a pleasant hue, and corresponding properly to one’s expectations from the color discription. The Inner-Grade is high and very few colorless patches are seen in the crown.
Given the stone is Type IIa, buyers need to be aware that the color of the stone might lighten under certain light conditions.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
5.31 ct, F.I.O/P, PS, VS2, Type IIa |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Type IIa |
Total Visual Score 12 out of 12
Lot: 1959
Description: 3.32 ct, Fancy Vivid Blue, Emerald, IF
High Auction Estimation: $1,927,710 pc
Price Realized: $1,770,800 pc
Rarity: A similar diamond enters the market once every… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report: View
Analysis:
A Fancy Vivid Blue Emerald Cut with no Gray Undertone exhibiting an absolute Blue color (picture and video above is misrepresenting the color of stone). The color dispersion is above average, for a Step Cut. The stone has a 46% depth and its face-up view corresponds to a larger carat weight diamond.
This diamond was previously sold at Sotheby’s on October 7th 2014 for $1,625,000 per carat with a GIA report dated 2002.
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
3.32 ct, F.V.B, EM, IF |
4 |
3 |
4 |
Total Visual Score 11 out of 12
Lot: 1961
Description: 3.06 ct, Fancy Vivid Blue, Pear, VS2 and 2.61 ct, Fancy Vivid Blue, Pear, VS2
High Auction Estimation: $1,410,934 pc
Price Realized: $1,308,243 pc
Rarity: A similar diamond enters the market once every… Check Rarity Here
GIA Report of 3.06 ct: View
GIA Report of 2.61 ct: View
Analysis:
Two Vivid Blue Pear-shaped diamonds with similar millimeter dimensions but different weight and visual properties, set in a pair of earrings.
The 3.01 carat has a strong Inner-Grade and a small amount of Gray undertone in the hue. A few colorless patches are visible in the crown area. The stone appears much smaller in relation to its carat weight and the 81.9% depth confirms this notion.
The 2.61 carat as well has a strong inner-grade but with a noticeable Gray Undertone in the hue. The stone appears smaller than its carat weight and the 73.5% depth confirms this notion as well.
These two diamonds were offered for sale on November 15th 2018, and April 16th 2019, analyzed by the FCRF at the time.
*Please refer to lot 570 at the Sotheby’s auction
*Please refer to lot 276 at the Christie’s auction
Visual Assets:
Inner Grade Hue |
Color Dispersion |
Undertone |
Quality Remark |
|
3.06 ct, F.V.B, PS, VS2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
Appears much smaller to its weight |
2.61 ct, F.V.B, PS, VS2 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
Appears much smaller to its weight |
Total Average Score 9.5 out of 12
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 the grade 1, while a stone that exhibits its face-up view with no colorless patches will receive the grade 4+. Unlike the first two elements, the color dispersion is not a gemological quality and is the result of cutter proficiency.
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