David Douglas Diamonds & Jewelry
March 26th, 2014
Three highly important necklaces — dubbed the “Tremendous Trio” because of their phenomenal proportions — will headline Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale in Hong Kong on April 7.

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Among the trio is “The Red Emperor,” a fabulous Burmese ruby and diamond necklace set with 60 pigeon’s blood rubies weighing 104.51 carats. The cutting and polishing of the pear- and heart-shaped rubies, which range in size from .72 carats to 5.04 carats, was reported to have taken eight years. The rubies are complemented by a series of brilliant-cut, pear-shaped and oval diamonds weighing a total of 59.06 carats. Designed by James W. Currens for Fai Dee, this necklace is estimated to sell for $8.7 million to $11 million.

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The second of the group is a spectacular 85.33-carat diamond necklace by celebrated jewelry designer Nirav Modi. The necklace boasts 17 brilliant-cut flawless D-color diamonds graduating in size from 1.27 to 10.51 carats. The larger dangling diamonds are connected by 40 smaller D-flawless round and marquise-shaped diamonds. Sotheby’s expects this necklace to fetch from $7.3 million to $8.3 million.

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The storied Hutton-Mdivani necklace, with a provenance spanning from imperial China to the West, is the third member of the “Tremendous Trio.” Formerly in the collections of socialite Barbara Hutton and Princess Nina Mdivani, the necklace features 27 jadeite beads ranging from 15.40 mm to 19.20 mm. Sotheby’s noted that the necklace has a “majestic green color, excellent translucency, extremely fine texture and majestic proportions.” The piece, which boasts a jeweled clasp by Cartier, carries a high estimate of $12.8 million.

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The trio is part of a larger offering of 320 lots expected to yield $99 million, according to Sotheby’s. The most exceptional of these is a 102.61-carat cushion-shaped royal blue sapphire-and-diamond necklace that could sell for up to $3.8 million.

Photos: Courtesy of Sotheby’s