A 14.23 ct. rectangular-cut fancy intense pink diamond
sold for $23.2 million at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong Nov. 29, making it
the most expensive jewel ever sold in Asia.

The sale raked in $78.9 million, which is the highest
number ever for a jewelry auction in Asia and the largest ever at Christie’s
worldwide.

“Exceptional Burmese rubies and Kashmir sapphire also
fetched top prices, as did jadeite which remains in great demand with Asian
collectors,” Vickie Sek, director of the jewellery and jadeite department of
Christie’s Asia, said in a statement.

A 7.04 ct. oval-cut Burmese ruby ring sold for $2.9 million.

JCK