Pre-Auction Analysis: May 25, 2022, Christie’s Hong Kong – Magnificent Jewels

Our Christie’s Hong Kong Pre-Auction Analysis focuses on elements that aren’t visible to the untrained eye. We describe important visual elements for those who cannot attend the preview. We discuss characteristics such as: Inner-Grade, Color Dispersion, and Undertone – collectively termed IDU. These visual assets are explained in detail at the bottom of this article.

It is important to note that we analyze and grade these Fancy Color Diamonds under LED light and relative to their GIA grade.

We use grades 1, 2, 3, and 4, with 1 being the lowest grade. Grade “4+” is granted in rare cases and denotes stones with exceptional characteristics. Stones that receive a minimum total IDU score of 9, without a red remark, pass the industry threshold and can be traded easily. Fancy Color Diamonds that are graded 10 or above (without a quality remark) are usually sought after by high-end jewelers and collectors.

For your convenience, we have added direct links to the GIA reports.

• All images in this article review were taken with an iPhone 13 Pro; no filters were applied.
• All auction valuations are per-carat and listed in US Dollars.

Disclaimer
This analysis reflects the opinions of the FCRF professional team. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or not buy a particular diamond. Buyers assume the responsibility of verifying any information with the auction house. At times, mistakes can happen in the visual analysis and report placement. Therefore, one should not rely solely on this analysis for buying purposes.

Lot: 1896
Description: 2.03 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Cushion, SI2
High Auction Estimation: $11,297 pc
Price Realized: $12,652 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
An elongated Vivid Yellow Cushion-Cut with two large black patches in the crown resulting from its steep angles. The Inner-Grade is solid and no significant undertone is visible. The SI2 clarity is visible to the naked eye once you know where the inclusion is situated.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………3
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..9 out of 12
Quality Remark…………SI2 Clarity

Lot: 1893
Description: 7.36 ct, Fancy Yellow Emerald-Cut, VS2
High Auction Estimation: $11,773 pc
Price Realized: $11,995 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A rectangular Fancy Yellow Emerald-cut diamond. The yellow color is reflected and  concentrated in the four wide corners of the pavilion, while most of the center of the stone is colorless. The stone appears large relative to its weight. The GIA report is dated 2007.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………2
Undertone..…………………4
Total Visual Score……9 out of 12
Quality Remark………….Low Color Dispersion

Lot: 1863
Description: 15.23 ct, Fancy Yellow, Round, VVS1
High Auction Estimation: $12,550 pc
Price Realized: $16,337 pc
Rarity: A similar diamond enters the market once every… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A Fancy Yellow Round, cut and polished as a colorless diamond. From the face-up view, one can detect the color when tilting the stone, and as such, it receives low visual grades for a Fancy Color Diamond.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………2
Color Dispersion.……..2
Undertone..………………..3
Total Visual Score….7 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Low Color Dispersion

Lot: 1895
Description:
3.89 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Radiant, VVS1
3.85 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Radiant, VVS2
High Auction Estimation: $15,640 pc
Price Realized: $16,591 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of diamonds, similar  to each stone of the pair, enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Reports: View and View

Analysis:
Two Fancy Intense Yellow Radiant-cut diamonds with identical dimensions. Both diamonds were re-cut from what used to be a Round Brilliant. The Inner-Grade is solid, and there are some colorless patches in the crown area. There is no significant undertone in the diamonds’ hue. Both stones appear larger relative to their weight.

Visual Assets:
3.89 ct
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion……….3
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..9 out of 12
Quality Remark…………None
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3.85 ct
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion……….3
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..9 out of 12
Quality Remark…………None

Lot: 1890
Description: 3.03 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Radiant, VS2
High Auction Estimation: $50,470 pc
Price Realized: $29,136 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A 3.03 Vivid Yellow Radiant-cut diamond with high visual assets. The stone appears a bit small relative to its weight.
The GIA report is dated 2018.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion……….4+
Undertone..…………………4
Total Visual Score…..10+ out of 12
Quality Remark…………None

Lot: 1891
Description: 6.01 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Cushion, VS2
High Auction Estimation: $53,011 pc
Price Realized: $37,392 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A Fancy Vivid Yellow cushion with pointed corners. No undertone is noticeable in the hue. Color is dispersed perfectly around the face-up of the stone with no colorless patches, and the Inner-Grade is solid. The VS2 clarity is due to a cluster of crystals under the table, which may disturb some stricted buyers. In addition, the stone  appears a bit small relative to its weight.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………4+
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..10+ out of 12
Quality Remark…………None

Lot: 1967
Description:
5.12 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Emerald Square, VVS2
5.08 ct, Fancy Vivid Yellow, Emerald Square, VS1
High Auction Estimation: $62,462 pc
Price Realized: $56,656 pc
Rarity: Check Rarity Here and Here.
GIA Reports: View and View

Analysis:
Two Square Vivid Yellow Emerald-cut diamonds. Stone compatibility as a matching pair is not high, mainly as the 5.08 has a stronger Inner-Grade and a higher Color Dispersion than the 5.12. No significant green or brown undertone is seen in either stone. Buyers should be aware that the shape plot of the 5.12 on the GIA report reflects the actual shape of stone, while the 5.08 is portrayed as an elongated stone.
The GIA reports are dated 2014 and 2015.

Visual Assets:
5.12 ct
Inner Grade..………………2
Color Dispersion……….2
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..7 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Low Compatibility
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5.08 ct
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion……….3
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..9 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Low Compatibility

Lot: 1897
Description: 7.64 ct, Fancy Intense Yellow, Radiant, VS1
High Auction Estimation: $318,511 total
Didn’t Reach the Minimum.
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A 7.65 carat Fancy Intense Yellow Radiant-cut diamond with a GIA report dated March 2000 and a GRAFF Laser inscription is engraved on the girdle. Looking at the typical colorless patches on the crown, the large table, and the 59% depth, we can assume the stone was re-cut from what used to be a larger Round Brilliant to enforce its color and receive the Intense grade. A warm undertone is visible in the color.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………3
Undertone..…………………2
Total Visual Score…..8 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Warm Undertone

Lot: 1900
Description: 7.33 ct, Fancy Intense Orangy-Pink,Radiant, VS1
High Auction Estimation: $312,888 pc
Price Realized: $237,233 pc
Rarity: An extremely small number of similar diamonds enter the market yearly… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
According to the GIA color description, the hue of the stone is comprised of ~40% orange and ~60% pink. The Inner-Grade is solid and the overall color sensation meets our expectations based on the GIA color description. Some dark, colorless areas can be seen on the stone’s crown.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………3
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..9 out of 12
Quality Remark…………None

Lot: 1899
Description: 1.01 ct, Fancy Intense Blue, Heart-Shaped, I1 and 1.01 ct, Fancy Intense Pink-Purple, Heart Shaped, SI2
High Auction Estimation: $365,847 pc
Didn’t Reach the Minimum.
Rarity: A similar Fancy Intense Blue diamond enters the market once every… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Reports: View and View

Analysis:
Two heart-shape diamonds with similar weights and depths but different dimensions and shapes, both with low clarity grades.
The blue heart-shape has a solid Inner-Grade and some colorless areas on the crown. No significant gray undertone is noticeable. The I1 clarity results from a large feather in the groove area.
The purple heart-shape has a 40% pink color composition, which creates a burgundy color sensation. The SI2 clarity is due to many crystals underneath the table. The indented natural situated on the crown is visible to the naked eye.
The GIA reports are dated 2017 and 2016.

Visual Assets:
1.01 – F.I.B
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………3
Undertone..…………………4
Total Visual Score…..10 out of 12
Quality Remark…………I1 Clarity
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1.01 – F.I.P/P
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………3
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..9 out of 12
Quality Remark…………SI2 Clarity

Lot: 1968
Description: 13.32 ct, Fancy Intense Orangy-Pink, Emerald-Cut, VVS1
High Auction Estimation: $363,493 pc
Price Realized: $325,655 pc
Rarity: A similar diamond enters the market once every… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
A large Intense Orangy Pink Emerald-cut diamond with low color dispersion, displaying the hue only in the four corners of the pavilion. The Inner-Grade is solid and the Undertone meets expectations based on the color description.
The GIA report is dated 2016.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………2
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..8 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Low Color Dispersion

Lot: 1969
Description: 3.06 ct, Fancy Vivid Blue, Emerald-Cut, IF
High Auction Estimation: $2,498,981 pc
Price Realized: $1,617,410 pc
Rarity: A similar diamond enters the market once every… Check Rarity Here.
GIA Report: View

Analysis:
An elongated Vivid Blue Emerald cut with a solid Inner-Grade and an insignificant gray undertone. The shallow pavilion and low depth percentage of 48% create a large, colorless area in the center of the stone, but at the same time, make it appear large relative to its weight.

Visual Assets:
Inner Grade..………………3
Color Dispersion.………2
Undertone..…………………3
Total Visual Score…..8 out of 12
Quality Remark…………Low Color Dispersion

General

We use 1, 2, 3, 4, and 4+ to grade the three visual elements that GIA is silent about, although they impact the value dramatically.

Inner-Grade refers to the strength of color within each GIA saturation category:

Grade 1 weakest, bordering the saturation below.

Grade 2 weak (most common).

Grade 3 full-bodied color (above average).

Grade 4 very strong saturation.

Grade 4+ applies to the vivid category only, exhibiting the strongest possible saturation (rarely seen).

Undertone refers to a subtle hue influence in the body color of the stone.

For example:

A Fancy Blue Diamond with a significant gray presence in its general appearance will be graded with a low undertone grade of 1. A Fancy Blue that has no gray influence that is close to a primary blue will receive the grade, 4.

In a Pink Fancy Color Diamond, a stone with a warm undertone (such as orange or brown) will receive a low undertone grade. A pink stone with a cold undertone (such as purple) will receive a high grade.

In Yellow Fancy Color Diamonds, low foreign influence or a light orange influence will grant the stone a high undertone grade. When the yellow undertone looks like a true primary yellow, it will receive the rare grade 4+. Green and brown undertones will grant a low grade in the yellow category.

Color Dispersion relates to how well the color is dispersed in the face-up view of a Fancy Color Diamond, regardless as to whether the GIA grades the stone as even. A stone with many colorless areas will receive a grade of 1, while a stone that exhibits its face-up view with no colorless patches will receive a grade of 4+. Unlike the first two elements, the color dispersion is not a gemological quality and is the result of cutter proficiency.