On the morning of August 21, the Ho Chi Minh City Asset Auction Service Center held an auction for diamond jewelry belonging to Truong My Lan, former chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Group, with a combined starting price of about $950,000.

The first item was a pair of white-metal earrings with a starting price of more than $357,000. The first earring features a natural diamond measuring 10.7mm in diameter, with VVS-1 clarity and an E color grade, and weighs 2.9g. The second features a natural diamond measuring 10.58mm in diameter, also with VVS-1 clarity and an E color grade, and weighs 2.89g.

The second item was a necklace set with white stones, with a starting price of more than $338,000. Its centerpiece is a natural diamond pendant measuring 12.67mm in diameter and 7.66mm in height, with VVS-2 clarity and a G color grade. The necklace weighs 18.25g. The pendant also incorporates a series of smaller natural diamonds, including five round stones, five pear-shaped stones, four square stones and one oval stone, with clarity grades ranging from VVS to VS.

The third item was a ring set with a white stone. The natural diamond mounted on the ring measures up to 14.1mm in diameter and 8.52mm in height, with VS-1 clarity and a G color grade. The ring weighs 7.11g. Its starting price was more than $251,000.

Truong Thi Thanh Hien was the only bidder who met the eligibility requirements for all three items. The auctioneer therefore declared Hien the successful bidder for all three pieces.

Thanh Phuong