Christie’s to launch Anna Hu auction

An online auction of three Anna Hu jewellery pieces will take place at Christie’s from 3 July to 13 July, with proceeds going towards frontline workers amid the pandemic. The pieces will be sold by Diamonds That Care, a newly-launched social responsibility initiative of Alrosa, the world’s largest diamond mining company. The unique pieces that will go on sale were created exclusively for the charity project using rich brown diamonds extracted by Alrosa in Yakutia, a region in the Siberian Far East. Among the three pieces of jewellery that are being auctioned are a necklace with colour and colourless diamonds, centering a brown-yellow diamond weighing 27.02 carats. It is manufactured with 18k white gold and 18k red gold. An 18k red gold ring with a faint brown diamond weighing 1.59 carats will also be on auction, as well as a pair of earrings made of 18k white gold and 18k red gold, with colour and colourless diamonds, each earring centering a pear shape 3 carats diamond. Sergey Ivanov, CEO of Alrosa, said: “We are living in a different world, where old divides are no longer important because we all face the same threat. “By working with Christie’s, which operates in all the regions affected by the coronavirus, and the brilliant Chinese jewelry artist Anna Hu, we are raising funds for a US- based charitable organization supporting activities in various countries.” He added: “This project is a living example of how countries and stakeholders can unite in their efforts to help those in need.” Anna Hu said: “Many people are in distress, and no one can remain indifferent to this pandemic. The world needs positivity, empathy, a sense of support, care and love. “I hope to express all these feelings in my three pieces of jewellery. I was inspired and grateful to have received the opportunity to work on something larger than simply beautiful jewelry, something meaningful and with heart.” Max Fawcett, Christie’s jewellery specialist, said: “Anna Hu’s works are characterized by elegant forms and color combinations. They are rarely sold at auction and when her pieces come to the secondary market, demand is high. “As an artisan jeweller, Anna produces no more than thirty pieces a year, each a unique creation. Her involvement will create international excitement and we are pleased to offer our leading online platform and engage with our international clients to bid for this worthy cause.”