Over 320 lots of jewels and jadeite estimated at 400 million HK dollars (51 million U.S. dollars), including a rare pear-shaped D-color (finest white) flawless diamond, will be offered in Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite 2008 Spring Sale on April 10, announced Sotheby's Hong Kong on Monday.

"The past season both in Asia and worldwide have demonstrated the strength and depth of the jewelry auction market," said Quek Chin Yeow, Deputy Chairman and Head of Jewelry Department, Sotheby 's Asia. "2008 will see this trend continuing through from the Hong Kong Spring Sales as Asian demand remains strong, complemented by increasing global participation."

As the biggest highlight of the sale, the 72.22-carat diamond is the largest pear-shaped D-color flawless diamond to date to appear at auction in Asia, with its price estimated between 78 million and 100 million HK dollars (10 million to 13 million U.S. dollars). It was cut from an original rough diamond weighing 188. 11 carats.

A rare 3.47-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond estimated between 24 million and 30 million HK dollars is also among the highlights of this season's sale. The spring sale will offer the world's largest graded intense purple diamond, which is to make its first appearance at auction, with the price estimated between 12 million and 14 million HK dollars.

Other highlights also include a D-color and internally flawless diamond necklace, with 43 pearl-shaped diamonds totaling 91.02 carats, estimated between 26 million and 33 million HK dollars. A fine diamond bracelet by Harry Winston is estimated between 7 million to 8 million HK dollars, with a total of 84 carats worth of diamonds.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2008)