A Japanese buyer is about to close on the $26 million gem.

A Japanese buyer was said to have spent $250,000 for one.

These prices are attributed in part to the presence of Japanese buyers.

The two top pieces - each estimated to sell for at most $200,000 - were bought by different but unidentified Japanese buyers.

"The market did not get the widespread demand, nor the Japanese buyers it expected," he said.

"Collectors and dealers - including Japanese buyers - come in great numbers."

Sotheby's reported last night that it had one Japanese buyer.

Japanese buyers bid upwards of $450 per thousand board feet.

It will display the products of 25 American companies to Japanese buyers.

A group of Japanese buyers were present, looking at the collection and placing orders.