Rare Fancy Intense Green Diamond, Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring

Centring on a heart-shaped fancy intense green diamond weighing 4.90 carats, surrounded by circular-cut diamond and heart-shaped pink diamonds and diamonds, embellished with pink diamond frames, to the diamond and pink diamond-set edge, gallery and bifurcated shoulders, the pink diamonds and diamonds together weighing approximately 1.70 and 1.50 carats respectively, mounted in 18 karat pink and white gold. Ring size: 5¼

Colour and Clarity: According to the GIA report, the heart-modified-brilliant-cut diamond is natural, of Fancy Intense Green Colour, SI1 Clarity. Please refer to the report for details. In our opinion, the diamond displays a medium green face-up colour, with good brilliance. The heart-shaped pink diamonds are well match, display medium to intense pink and purplish pink face-up colour, about VS to SI clarity; and the melee pink diamonds display very light pink to intense pink and purplish pink face-up colour, mainly about VS to SI clarity (with some SI clarity). The heart-shaped colourless diamonds are about F to G colour, VS clarity; and the melee colourless diamonds are about G to I colour, VS to SI clarity. Condition: Karat white and pink gold ring mount, with some minor hairline scratches on the shank, otherwise in very good overall condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Illustrations in the catalogue may not be actual size. Prospective purchasers are reminded that, unless the catalogue description specifically states that a stone is natural, we have assumed that some form of treatment may have been used and that such treatment may not be permanent. Our presale estimates reflect this assumption.Certificates of Authenticity: Various manufacturers may not issue certificates of authenticity upon request. Sotheby’s is not under an obligation to furnish the purchaser with a certificate of authenticity from the manufacturer at any time. Unless the requirements for a rescission of the sale under the Terms of Guarantee are satisfied, the failure of a manufacturer to issue a certificate will not constitute grounds to rescind the sale. Gemological Certificates and Reports: References in the catalogue descriptions to certificates or reports issued by gemological laboratories are provided only for the information of bidders, and Sotheby’s does not guarantee and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, terms or information contained in such certificates or reports. Please also note that laboratories may differ in their assessment of a gemstone (including its origin and presence, type and extent of treatments) and their certificates or reports may contain different results.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Accompanied by GIA report numbered 1162564833, dated 4 September 2014, stating that the 4.90 carat diamond is Fancy Intense Green Colour, SI1 Clarity. Also accompanied by a GIA monograph.

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Aside from the colour red, green is by far the rarest body colour found in fancy coloured diamonds. The green colour is caused by millions of years of exposure to a source of natural irradiation in the earth, either among uranium compounds or percolating ground water, which changes its specific absorption of light. The majority of naturally irradiated diamonds show isolated green strains (also known as ‘skins’) that barely penetrate the surface of the crystal and are almost always removed during the cutting process. However, a very small minority are exposed to the irradiation source over an extended period of time and therefore exhibit an even green hue throughout the entire crystal. Among this extremely select group of stones, only a very few have a true green colour without any bluish, greyish or yellowish secondary colours, making them true rarities, as is the case with this heart-shaped diamond.

Historically, the most famous of all green diamonds is the legendary Dresden Green Diamond, a modified pear-shaped bluish apple-green diamond of 41.10 carats. It is believed that the stone was mined in India, bought by Frederick Augustus II (1733-1763), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, from the Dutch merchant Delles at the Leipzig Fair in 1741 and set by the Court jeweller Dinglinger in a Golden Fleece Order. It was said at the time that the stone was the first of its kind to appear on the European market.

Only a handful of natural green diamonds have been auctioned in the past thirty years, and most of them exhibited either bluish or yellowish modifying hues. This fancy intense green diamond with a pleasing outline, weighing a 4.90 carats which is uncommonly large for a pure green diamond, is representative of an extraordinary group of beautiful and enigmatic gems, and also presents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a unique gem.