Shopping of Colored Diamond @ Christie's NY

A pair of superb colored diamond ear pendants. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

One suspending a pear-shaped fancy blue diamond, weighing approximately 7.18 carats, within a graduated pavé-set pink diamond surround, to the circular-cut diamond link and circular-cut diamond French wire, the other suspending a pear-shaped fancy light pink diamond, weighing approximately 8.04 carats, within a graduated pavé-set diamond surround, to the circular-cut pink diamond link and circular-cut diamond French wire, mounted in platinum and 18k rose gold. Est. $1,000,000 - $1,500,000  - Sold  $1,426,500

With report 5101563112 dated 17 February 2009 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy blue, natural color

With report 15150133 dated 31 July 2006 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy light pink, natural color, VS2 clarity

A Colored Diamond Ring. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Set with a cut-cornered modified square-cut fancy gray-blue diamond, weighing approximately 6.96 carats, within a circular-cut pink diamond surround, to the circular-cut pink diamond shoulders, mounted in 18k rose gold. Est. $600,000 - $800,000  - Sold $866,500

With report 16259387 dated 29 August 2007 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy gray-blue, natural color, VS1 clarity

Accompanied by a supplemental letter stating that the diamond has been determined to be a type IIb diamond. Type IIb diamonds are very rare in nature (from our experience, less than one half of one percent) and contain small amounts of boron that can give rise to a blue or gray coloration. An unusual property of type IIb diamonds is that they are semi-conductors and conduct electricity. Historically, the ancient mines of India produced occasional blue diamonds but today the most significant source is limited to the Cullinan (formerly Premier) Mine in South Africa. Among famous gem diamonds, the 70.21 carat Idol's Eye and the 45.52 carat Hope, are examples of type IIb.

A pair of impressive colored diamond ear pendants. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Each suspending a modified square-cut diamond, weighing approximately 18.07 and 16.01 carats, from two graduated baguette-cut diamonds, to the circular-cut diamond French wire, mounted in 18k gold and platinum - Est. $300,000 - $500,000  - Sold $818,500

With reports 5101606131 and 2105485418 dated 11 March 2009 and 22 December 2008 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamonds are fancy yellow, natural color, VS1 clarity

A Fine Colored Diamond Ring. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Set with an old European-cut fancy grayish blue diamond, weighing approximately 2.71 carats, flanked on either side by a baguette-cut diamond, mounted in platinum - Est. $250,000 - $350,000  - Sold  $722,500

With report 16340012 dated 30 August 2007 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy grayish blue, natural color, SI1 clarity

A Colored Diamond Ring. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Set with a cut-cornered rectangular-cut fancy deep brown-pink diamond, weighing approximately 7.34 carats, mounted in 18k rose gold - Est. $200,000 - $300,000  - Sold $554,500

With report 2105761819 dated 11 May 2009 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy deep brown-pink, natural color, VS1 clarity

An Important Colored Diamond Ring. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Set with a cut-cornered modified rectangular-cut fancy yellow diamond, weighing approximately 23.53 carats, flanked on either side by a tapered bullet-cut diamond, mounted in platinum and 18k gold - Est. $180,000 - $250,000  - Sold  $290,500

With report 16770669 dated 4 January 2008 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy yellow, natural color, VS2 clarity

A pair of colored diamond ear pendants. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Each suspending a pear-shaped fancy light brownish yellow diamond or light yellow diamond, weighing approximately 10.07 and 10.06 carats, from an inverted pear-shaped light yellow diamond link, weighing approximately 5.03 and 5.05 carats, to the inverted pear-shaped light yellow diamond surmount, weighing approximately 1.17 and 1.01 carats, mounted in 18k gold - Est. $200,000 - $300,000  - Sold  $170,500

With report 17160732 dated 14 May 2008 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond, weighing approximately 10.07 carats, is fancy light brownish yellow, natural color, SI2 clarity

With report 5101680590 dated 13 April 2009 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond, weighing approximately 10.06 carats, is U to V Range color, SI1 clarity

With report 15646591 dated 2 January 2007 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond, weighing approximately 5.03 carats, is W to X Range color, VS1 clarity

With report 2105175673 dated 4 September 2008 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond, weighing approximately 5.05 carats, is W to X Range color, VS2 clarity

With report 14164090 dated 2 March 2005 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond, weighing approximately 1.17 carats, is W to X Range color, VS2 clarity

With report 14779224 dated 12 January 2006 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond, weighing approximately 1.01 carats, is U to V Range color, SI1 clarity

A pair of colored diamond ear pendants. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Each set with a modified rectangular-cut fancy intense yellow diamond, weighing approximately 5.17 and 5.02 carats, suspending a graduated circular-cut light yellow diamond half-hoop, mounted in gold - Est. $70,000 - $100,000 - Sold  $110,500

With reports 11875044 and 12270496 dated 5 February and 25 October 2002 stating that the diamonds. weighing approximately 5.17 and 5.02 carats, are fancy intense yellow, natural color, VS2 and SI1 clarity respectively

A pair of colored diamond ear pendants. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Each suspending a rectangular-cut light yellow diamond, weighing approximately 7.03 and 7.79 carats, within a pavé-set diamond surround, to the circular-cut diamond French wire, mounted in platinum and 18k gold - Est. 60,000 - $80,000 - Sold $74,500

A Pair Of Colored Diamond Flower Ear Clips, by Van Cleef & Arpels. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Each centering upon a circular-cut fancy intense yellow or fancy yellow diamond, weighing approximately 2.82 and 2.51 carats, extending openwork scalloped circular-cut diamond petals, mounted in platinum. Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, N.Y., no. 20507 - Est. $60,000 - $80,000 - Sold $74,500

With report 16804446 dated 24 January 2008 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond, weighing approximately 2.82 carats, is fancy intense yellow, natural color, VS2 clarity

With report 16327878 dated 8 October 2007 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond, weighing approximately 2.51 carats, is fancy yellow, natural color, VS1 clarity

An Antique Colored Diamond and Sapphire Ring. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Set with a circular-cut fancy brownish yellow diamond, weighing approximately 6.53 carats, within a pierced circular-cut diamond surround and shoulders, accented by calibré-cut sapphires, mounted in platinum, circa 1895 - Est. $30,000 - $50,000 - Sold $60,000

With report 15624090 dated 18 December 2006 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy brownish yellow, natural color, SI1 clarity

Christie's. Jewels: The New York Sale and the Annenberg Diamond. 21 October 2009. New York, Rockefeller Plaza www.christies.com