Jadeite Necklace Fetches $8.1 Million, Two Top Lots Withdrawn At Sotheby’s

Things were going quite smoothly at Sotheby’s Hong Kong jewelry auction until the final three lots appeared, all of which were among the highlights of the sale held Wednesday at Sotheby’s Gallery.

A 118.88-carat Burmese unheated “Royal Blue” sapphire described as “extraordinary” by the auction house received a lot of attention but was withdrawn from the sale at the last moment, as viewed through the auction house’s live stream. It was being sold without a public estimate. The cushion-shaped sapphire mounted on a diamond pendant has no indications of heating or any other treatment. Its “royal blue” color is a trade term meaning it has a very attractive and well-saturated blue color. There was no explanation for its withdrawal.