Bonhams to Sell Rare Chameleon Diamonds

RAPAPORT... Bonhams's jewelry sale in Hong Kong will spotlight a rarenecklace featuring the largest collection of chameleon diamonds offered atauction, according to the company. The piece - which will lead the Rare Jewels andJadeite sale on November 25 - includes nine diamonds weighing atotal of 13.87 carats. The necklace carries a presale estimate of HKD 1.6million to HKD 3 million ($204,000 to $382,500). "Chameleon diamonds are amongst the rarest and mostmysterious of colored diamonds," Graeme Thompson, director of jewelry atBonhams Asia, said Monday. "Depending on temperature and light conditions, thediamond's color transforms from 'olive' green to a mesmerizing brownish-yellowor yellow." Due to their rarity, there is little gemological informationavailable on these diamonds, and scientists have not identified what causestheir color change, Thompson added. Other notable pieces going under the hammer include anintense- to bright-emerald-green jadeite bangle estimated at HKD 7.5 million toHKD 10 million ($956,200 to $1.3 million). A 4.02-carat pigeon's-blood ruby anddiamond ring valued at HKD 4.8 million to HKD 6.8 million ($612,000 to$866,900) will also feature at the November sale. Signed jewelry from Cartier, Chaumet, Graff, Harry Winstonand Van Cleef & Arpels will also be up for sale, as well as a signed Bulgarinecklace-and-earring set estimated at HKD 4.7 million to HKD 6 million($599,200 to $764,900). The sale will feature a selection of coloreddiamonds, including an intense blue, three greens, a faint pink, a fancy-intensepinkish-purple, and a few vivid-yellow diamonds. Bonhams will preview the items in Taipei, Singapore,Sydney and Hong Kong. Image: Chameleon diamond necklace in green (left) and yellow (right). (Bonhams)