7ct. Burmese Ruby to Lead Bonhams Hong Kong Auction

A ring featuring a 7.07-carat Burmese ruby that will lead the upcoming Jewels and Jadeite sale at Bonhams Hong Kong is expected to fetch up to HKD 8.8 million ($1.1 million).

The rectangular cushion-shaped gem is rare in size and color, the auction house said last week, earning it the pigeon’s-blood red designation. The ruby was remounted in 2012 into an 18-karat white and yellow gold ring surrounded by eight oval diamonds totaling 6.01 carats, all of D color and VVS1 to VS1 clarity.

It is one of several important rubies being offered by Bonhams at its May 28 sale. Others include:

A diamond necklace suspended with a cushion-shaped, 23.45-carat Burmese ruby surrounded by oval and round brilliant-cut diamonds, with an upper estimate of HKD 8 million ($1 million).

**23.45-carat ruby and diamond necklace.**

Pendant chandelier earrings with three fringes of round, oval and cushion-shaped, pigeon’s blood Burmese rubies, embellished with cushion and round-brilliant-cut diamonds. It carries a high estimate of HKD 3.5 million ($445,862).

**Ruby and diamond pendant chandelier earrings with ruby and diamond bracelet.**

This bracelet is set with 15 oval and cushion-shaped natural rubies totaling 20.70 carats, enhanced with various shaped diamonds weighing a combined 9.10 carats, with an expected price range of HKD 1.5 million to HKD 2.5 million ($191,039 to $318,473).

Other highlights of the sale include:

An early 20^th-century double-strand diamond rivière necklace by J.E. Caldwell & Co. set with gradual old-European cut diamonds weighing approximately 153 carats, with two center stones of 11.53 and 8.41 carats and J color with VVS to VS clarity. Its estimate is HKD 12 million to HKD 16 million ($1.5 million to $2 million).

A jadeite bangle of intense-emerald-green color is set to realize HKD 7.5 million to HKD 10 million ($955,419 to $1.3 million).

A diamond ring centered with a radiant-cut. 7.09-carat, fancy-vivid-yellow, internally flawless diamond mounted on a ring flanked by trilliant and round brilliant-cut diamonds. Its estimate is HKD 2.3 million to HKD 3 million ($292,995 to $382,168).

A ring set with a pear-shaped, 6.18-carat, fancy-brown-orange, internally flawless, type IIa diamond and other diamonds. Its estimate is HKD 1.4 million to HKD 2.5 million ($178,345 to $318,473).

This diamond ring bears a cushion-shaped, 17.61-carat Burmese center sapphire decorated with round brilliant-cut diamonds, with a high price of HKD 1.8 million ($229,300).

A cabochon, 8.33-carat Paraiba tourmaline mounted on a ring flanked by trilliant-cut diamonds carries an upper estimate of HKD 1.8 million ($229,300).

Image: Bonhams 7.07-carat ruby and diamond ring. (Bonhams)