Rubies, known as the “King of Gemstones,” have captivated humanity for centuries with their mesmerizing crimson hue and unparalleled beauty. Among these treasures, a select few stand out as the most coveted and valuable in the world, commanding astronomical prices that reflect their rarity and exceptional quality. These extraordinary gems, often referred to as the “Most Expensive Rubies in the World,” represent the pinnacle of luxury and sophistication in the realm of fine jewelry. Each possessing its unique combination of size, color, clarity, and provenance, these remarkable rubies have been revered and sought after by collectors, connoisseurs, and royalty alike.
From the legendary mines of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, to the illustrious workshops of renowned jewelers such as Cartier and Graff, the journey of these exceptional rubies is steeped in history and mystique. Their allure transcends borders and cultures, symbolizing passion, power, and prosperity throughout the ages. Whether showcased in regal tiaras, dazzling necklaces, or elegant rings, these ruby gemstones have graced the collections of monarchs, celebrities, and discerning enthusiasts, leaving an indelible mark on the world of haute joaillerie. Join us on a captivating journey as we explore the stories behind some of the most expensive rubies in the world ever unearthed, delving into their remarkable attributes and the staggering prices they command in the rarefied world of high-end gemstones.
List of Most Expensive Rubies
Estrela de FURA
The Estrela de FURA emerged onto the gemstone scene as a veritable titan, shattering expectations and redefining the very essence of rarity and prestige in the world of Rubies. Its unveiling marked an unparalleled moment in gemstone history, igniting fervent anticipation among collectors and enthusiasts alike, transcending the boundaries of mere speculation to embody a pinnacle of gemstone excellence.
Distinguished by its sheer magnitude, the Estrela de FURA commanded attention with a weight that surpassed even the illustrious Sunrise Ruby, a behemoth in its own right. Tipping the scales with an additional 30 carats, this extraordinary gem heralded a new era, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to behold a Ruby of such colossal proportions, previously unattainable in the annals of auction houses.
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However, it was not merely its size that propelled the Estrela de FURA into the realm of legend; its origin, too, contributed to its illustrious status. Hailing from the rich mines of Mozambique, this remarkable Ruby marked a departure from convention, becoming the first of its kind to ascend to the upper echelons of the gemstone hierarchy from a locale outside the traditional bastion of Burmese mining. In doing so, it cast a radiant spotlight on Mozambican Rubies, firmly establishing their place on the global stage and forever altering the narrative of Ruby procurement.
Accompanied by a chorus of acclaim from esteemed gemological laboratories, the Estrela de FURA elicited admiration and reverence from all corners of the gemstone world. Among the accolades bestowed upon it, the designation of ‘Pigeon Blood’ by GRS and Bellerophon emerged as a point of intrigue, underscoring the singular allure of its hue and further cementing its status as an exemplar of Ruby perfection.
The Sunrise Ruby
The legendary Sunrise Ruby dazzled the world when it was unveiled in 2015, instantly becoming the most expensive ruby ever sold at auction. This exceptional gem, an untreated pigeon-blood ruby from Myanmar, weighs a remarkable 25.59 carats – over 10 carats larger than its nearest rival at the time, the Graff Ruby.
As soon as the hammer fell at the Sotheby’s auction, the Sunrise Ruby set a new world record price for a ruby at over $30 million, easily surpassing the previous benchmark of $8.6 million set just a year earlier by the Graff Ruby. Its exquisite pure red color, substantial size, and noble Burmese origins sent collectors into a frenzy of bidding.
In addition to holding the record for most expensive ruby for over eight years so far, the Sunrise Ruby briefly claimed another title – highest price per carat for any gemstone ever sold at auction. At over $1.2 million per carat, it edged out the previous record holder, a fancy vivid blue diamond called the Blue Moon of Josephine that sold several months earlier.
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The Queen of Burma
In a captivating chapter of regal provenance, the Queen of old Burma ruby ring, once gracing the illustrious collection of His Highness Khengarji III, the revered Maharaja of Kutch, found itself at the center of attention during the prestigious November 2014 Christie’s auction in Geneva.
Radiating with a pinkish-red hue that whispered of its Burmese origins, the oval-shaped ruby, weighing an impressive 23.66 carats, enthralled onlookers as it nestled within a meticulously crafted setting of platinum and baguette diamonds, bearing the distinguished signature of Cartier.
With bids soaring to unprecedented heights, this magnificent treasure ultimately found a new custodian, fetching a staggering sum of just over 6 million U.S. dollars. In its journey from the hallowed halls of Kutch to the global stage of Christie’s, the Queen of Burma ruby ring embodied not just a rare gemstone but a tangible embodiment of history, elegance, and enduring allure.
The Crimson Flame Ruby
The legendary Crimson Flame, a phenomenal 15.04 carat Ruby of unparalleled quality, etched its name in the record books when it was sold at auction in December 2015. Its final hammer price set a new high benchmark – fetching over $1.2 million per carat, the highest price per carat ever paid for a Ruby at auction.
What makes the Crimson Flame so special and valuable? For starters, it is an extremely rare specimen of the coveted “pigeon blood” Rubies from Mogok in Burma. The gem displays a rich, vibrant red hue reminiscent of the blood of a pigeon – widely acknowledged as the ultimate color in a Ruby.
Combining exceptional color and clarity, the Crimson Flame is a flawless cushion-cut gemstone, precisely cut to maximize its brilliance and fire. Adding to its appeal, the Ruby is totally untreated and completely natural, a rarity among precious gems of this size.
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The Patiño Ruby and Diamond Ring
In a captivating moment of opulence and philanthropy, the spotlight turned to the auction stage at Christie’s Geneva in May of 2012, where a magnificent 32.08 carat ruby, nestled within a gold Chaumet ring adorned with trapeze-cut side stones, awaited its destiny.
With bids spiraling skyward, the allure of the Patiño Ruby was undeniable, ultimately commanding a princely sum of almost 7 million dollars. Yet, its value extended far beyond the realm of mere gemstones. This precious gem once graced the collection of Luz Mila Patiño, the esteemed Countess du Boisrouvray and scion of Bolivian magnate Simon Patiño, whose legacy intertwined closely with that of Prince Rainier of Monaco.
Countess Patiño’s jewelry collection, renowned for its splendor and significance, held a deeper purpose. Upon her passing, her daughter, mindful of her mother’s philanthropic spirit, chose to honor her legacy by auctioning off the treasures of her collection, with the proceeds dedicated to noble causes.
The Jubilee Ruby
The breathtaking Jubilee Ruby, an untreated 15.99 carat oval Burmese gem, made history when it went up for auction at Christie’s in New York in 2016. Considered the best ruby offered at a U.S. sale in over a quarter century, the stone fetched a groundbreaking price – the highest ever paid for a colored gem at auction in America. The exceptional quality and richness of color that lent the Jubilee Ruby its fame among collectors contributed to shattering records in the jewelry world. Its sale marked a milestone for the precious stone market in valuing these rare Asian treasures.
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The Graff Ruby Ring
In a dazzling display of opulence and intrigue, the Graff Ruby commanded the stage at a Sotheby’s Geneva auction, etching its name into the annals of gemstone history. In November of 2014, this exquisite creation found its way back to its former proprietor, Laurence Graff, in a moment of reunion and reverence.
At the heart of this resplendent masterpiece lies a cushion-cut Burmese ruby, radiating with the unmistakable allure of “pigeon blood red,” a hue revered among connoisseurs. Weighing 8.62 carats, its ethereal beauty is enhanced by the embrace of triangle-shaped diamonds, creating a harmonious symphony of light and color within a white metal setting adorned with bead-set round brilliant-cut diamonds.
The saga of the Graff Ruby intertwines the realms of artistry, legacy, and desire, each facet adding to its mystique and allure. As it once again found its way into the hands of Laurence Graff, a titan in the world of haute joaillerie, it embarked on a new chapter, a testament to the enduring allure and timeless elegance of one of nature’s most coveted treasures.
The Ratnaraj Ruby Ring by Faidee
This over 10-carat Burmese ruby sold for a multi-million dollar sum in 2016. The gem was set by a renowned company acclaimed for fine Burmese rubies in an ornate platinum and gold mount accented with diamonds. This impressive ruby must be among the most exceptional they have brought to market.
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Ruby and Diamond Brooch by Cartier
One of the most enticing pieces on this renowned list from Cartier is truly remarkable.
Despite being smaller in size compared to the preceding entry, this 10.10-carat Burmese Ruby exudes the coveted ‘Pigeon Blood’ hue, elevating its value to over $1 million higher than the previous item.
Crafted with precision by Cartier’s master artisans, the platinum and diamond setting measuring 3.5cm in length serves to enhance the beauty of this exquisite Ruby, making it a truly stunning masterpiece.
Impressive Ruby and Diamond Ring by Bhagat
A 13.26 carat, untreated ruby mined from Burma was featured at auction. While not ranking in the top 5 highest priced rubies sold at auction, it is a significant stone.
The design of the ring featuring the New Burma ruby includes over 10 carats of diamonds as accents. As with other high-quality rubies that come to auction, this ruby was analyzed by gemological laboratories and reports were issued detailing the characteristics of the stone.
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