Lot Essay
US$2,600,000-3,200,000
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Perfection in jadeite depends on the harmonious balance of six different features: colour, texture, translucency, saturation, evenness and purity-the absence or presence of these features greatly affects the quality and value of the stone. Only jadeite which combines all six of these elements can be said to be considered truly perfect-as illustrated by all 63 of the perfectly matching jadeite beads of this necklace. Measuring 10.3 to 11.2 mm, each bead is carved from the same exceptionally fine textured stone of a perfect vivid emerald green. The excellent colour would not have been considered perfect if it were not combined with the finest texture which gives translucency to the finished gem. Moreover, the beads would not qualify as vivid emerald green if the slightest tinge of yellow, grey or blue tones were detected. Any secondary colour would affect the purity, which in turn would diminish the brilliancy of the stone. Saturation dictates that the colour be neither too dark nor too light and evenness of the stone means that the colour has to spread evenly through the stone, rather than being patchy and incomplete. Add to these ideals the perfect shape and polish of each bead and it qualifies as one of the most exquisite single-strand jadeite necklaces to appear in recent auctions.
For hundreds of years, the jadeite mines in Burma were exploited manually with tools of a primitive nature. In the last 30 years, the escalating demand of high-quality jadeite material has led to the gradual introduction of modern mining machinery, leading to a dramatic increase of production-the previous yield from ten years of mining can now be obtained in one year. With this advent of modernity and ever-increasing production, will there eventually be the depletion of the jadeite mines just as it happened to Kashmir sapphires and Golconda diamonds? Will the six perfections embodied in this jadeite necklace one day become a memory of the past? No one knows?
A SUPERB SINGLE-STRAND JADEITE BEAD AND DIAMOND NECKLACE
Details
A SUPERB SINGLE-STRAND JADEITE BEAD AND DIAMOND NECKLACE
Comprising sixty-three slightly graduated vivid emerald green jadeite beads of exceptionally glassy material measuring approximately 10.3 to 11.2 mm, to the clasp with a marquise-shaped diamond weighing 3.02 carats enhanced by a twin row diamond surround and diamond openwork back, mounted in 18k white gold, 68.0 cm long
With certificate no. KJ 15128(1-3) dated 26 September 2006 from the Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory stating that the beads are natural jadeites and no polymer is detected
With report no. 14058969 dated 22 December 2004 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is E colour and VS1 clarity
Comprising sixty-three slightly graduated vivid emerald green jadeite beads of exceptionally glassy material measuring approximately 10.3 to 11.2 mm, to the clasp with a marquise-shaped diamond weighing 3.02 carats enhanced by a twin row diamond surround and diamond openwork back, mounted in 18k white gold, 68.0 cm long
With certificate no. KJ 15128(1-3) dated 26 September 2006 from the Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory stating that the beads are natural jadeites and no polymer is detected
With report no. 14058969 dated 22 December 2004 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is E colour and VS1 clarity