Bonhams to Offer Rare 5ct. Paraiba Tourmaline

RAPAPORT... A rare 5.09-carat, blue Paraiba tourmaline and diamond ring will be the star of the upcoming Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite sale at Bonhams.The piece, which carries a high estimate of HKD 3.8 million ($484,247), will go up for auction on June 22, Bonhams said last week. It makes its way to market as the Asian gem-collecting community is progressively starting to explore new gemstones, the auction house noted."The market price of Paraiba has soared in recent years," said Stewart Young, director of jewelry and head of jewelry for Asia at Bonhams. "The 5.09-carat Paraiba offered in the spring sale is enormous, and an example of this size is hardly ever found at auction. We are expecting fervent bidding among collectors, from Asia in particular." Other notable items include a cushion-shaped, 6.99-carat Kashmir sapphire ring with a pav?(C)-set diamond surround, which carries a high estimate of HKD 4.5 million ($573,450). A ring designed as a flower, bearing a round brilliant-cut, 4.84-carat, fancy-vivid-yellow diamond is expected to fetch up to HKD 3 million ($382,300).Bonhams will also offer a collection of jewelry from Italian fine-jewelry brand Buccellati, featuring more than 20 classic designs from the '70s through the '90s.Image: The Paraiba tourmaline ring. (Bonhams)