Sotheby’s Hong Kong is trumpeting a “Tremendous Trio” in advance of its April 7 Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale: the Red Emperor necklace, a spectacular diamond necklace by Nirav Modi, and the famed Hutton-Mdivani jadeite bead necklace. 

The auction house describes the pieces as “three highly important necklaces representing the ultimate in diamonds, gemstones, and jadeite in phenomenal proportions.”

Nirav Modi’s spectacular diamond necklace features 85.33 cts. t.w. diamonds: 17 brilliant cut, ranging 1.27 ct.–10.51 ct., all D color and flawless to internally flawless; and 40 smaller D-color internally flawless diamonds. (Estimate: $7.3 million–$8.3 million)

Spectacular diamond necklace by Nirav Modi (photos courtesy of Sotheby’s)

Designed by James W. Currens for Fai Dee, the Burmese ruby and diamond Red Emperor necklace spotlights 104.51 cts. t.w. pigeon’s blood rubies and 59.06 cts. t.w. brilliant, pear-shape, and oval diamonds. It took eight years to cut and polish the 60 rubies. (Estimate: $8.7 million–$11 million)

Red Emperor necklace

Crafted by Cartier circa 1933, the Hutton-Mdivani jadeite necklace—which was once owned by actress/well-known jewelry collector Barbara Hutton—is renowned for the size of its beads, their translucency, texture, and consistent emerald-green color. The 27 graduated beads range in size from a massive 15.4 mm to 19.2 mm. (Estimate: $12.8 million+)

Hutton-Mdivani jadeite bead necklace

Other highlights at the April 7 Hong Kong sale: a 102.61 ct. cushion-cut Sri Lankan Royal Blue sapphire and diamond necklace (est. $2.8 million–$3.8 million); a 29.62 ct. cushion-shape oval Burmese Mogok ruby and diamond ring by Cartier (est. $6.5 million–$7.5 million); the Maharaja Dream 49.31 ct. oval Golconda VVS1 fancy brown-yellow diamond ring (est. $1.7 million–$2.1 million); and a diamond and pink sapphire Zipper necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels (est. $130,000–$180,000).

Melissa Rose Bernardo