Bonhams to Sell 4ct. Ruby at Hong Kong Auction

RAPAPORT... Bonhams's spring jewelry sale in Hong Kong will spotlight a 4.01-carat Burmese "pigeon'sblood" ruby ring with diamonds, carrying an estimate of $445,000 to $635,000.Other notable pieces going under the hammer at the Mayauction include a ring featuring a step-cut, 8.88-carat Colombian emerald. The stone,which has not been treated with oil, has trillion-cut diamond shoulders, with the total piece estimated at $635,000 to $765,000. Emeralds and rubies have seen vast price increases in thepast 10 years, said Graeme Thompson, Bonhams's director of jewelry for Asia. A 12.92-carat Kashmir sapphire ring surrounded by diamonds isalso going up for auction. The jewel, which a family recentlydiscovered in its bank vault, will fetch between $120,000 and $510,000, Bonhams estimated. "Kashmir sapphires are the rarest of gemstones, andcollectors are prepared to pay princely sums for top-quality specimens,"Thompson added. The sale will also offer spinels, as well as signed jewelryby Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Harry Winston, Graff Diamonds, Chopard, Bulgari andTiffany & Co. The Hong Kong Rare Jewels and Jadeite sale will take placeon May 27, with the auction house holding previews in Taiwan, Singapore andHong Kong. Image: Bonhams/Mark French Photography