Sotheby's to Sell 81ct. Flawless Diamond

RAPAPORT... A flawless white diamond with a high estimate of $19 millionwill feature in Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite auction in Hong Kong next months. The emerald-cut, 80.88-carat, D-color, type IIa stone is valuedat $12.8 million to $19.1 million, and is one of only five emerald-cut diamondsover 80 carats offered in auction history, Sotheby's said Monday. A 10.64-carat, fancy-vivid-purplish-pink, internallyflawless diamond, polished as a radiant cut, with the outline of an emerald cut,is set to go under the hammer at the October 7 sale for $19.1 million to $25.5million. The auction house will also feature a necklace by designer Anna Hu,containing a 100.02-carat, fancy-intense-yellow diamond, estimated at $5.1million to $6.4 million. "It is thrilling to be able to bring together three top-classdiamonds this autumn, all of which are exceptional in quality and rarely seenon the market, let alone presented in a single sale," said Yvonne Chu, actinghead of Sotheby's Hong Kong jewelry division. "We are set for a bright seasonahead." Also up for auction are an 11.88-carat, pigeon's-blood Burmeseruby and diamond ring, mounted by designer Raymond Yard and valued at $5.6million to $8.2 million, and a jadeite bead necklace with a diamond clasp,estimated at $3.2 million to $4.1 million. Other notable items include a 19th-century 37.29-caratsapphire and diamond brooch. The piece, which Richard Burton gave to ElizabethTaylor during their marriage, has a presale estimate of $1.7 million to $2.3million. Sotheby's will showcase the pieces throughout Asia before theauction. Image: The 80.88-carat diamond. (Sotheby's)