Massive 55.22-carat ruby, the largest ever auctioned, sells at Sotheby’s for $34.8 million

The largest ruby ​​ever sold at auction went for a record $34.8 million, less than a year after it was mined in Mozambique.

The 55.22 carat ruby, named Estrela de Fura – Fura Star in Portuguese – was described as “an exceptional treasure” at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on Thursday.

The nearly $35 million sale was a new world auction record for both a ruby ​​and any colored gemstone.

The record was previously held by the Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat Burmese stone, which sold for $30.3 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in May 2015.

Estrela de Fura was found in July 2022 in Mozambique, in a mine operated by Fura, a Dubai-based mining company.

The largest ruby ​​ever sold at auction fetched a record $34.8 million less than a year after being mined in Mozambique

The 55.22 carat gemstone is unusual not only for its size and clarity, but also for its location. Until the discovery of Estrela de Fura, only Burma was thought to have rubies of such color and clarity.

Some analysts said the “once in a century” find shook up the gemstone industry.

The ruby ​​was recently cut from a 101-carat rough stone discovered in July 2022 at a ruby ​​mine in Mozambique, one of the largest ruby ​​deposits in the world.

Sotheby’s has said rubies of this size are “exceedingly rare,” with only two pieces previously reaching the $15 million mark.

Quig Bruning, head of Sotheby’s Jewelry in the Americas, said: “Today we witnessed the historic sale of not one, but two of the most exquisite and important diamonds and gemstones ever to appear at auction.

“It’s hard to express the range of emotions I felt when I first saw the Estrela de Fura 55.22, but to put it simply, I was entranced.

“With its unprecedented size, penetrating color and rare degree of optical transparency and clarity, it truly deserved today’s record-breaking award as it now joins the ranks of the world’s most legendary gemstones.”

The 55.22-carat ruby, named Estrela de Fura – Fura Star in Portuguese – was described as “an exceptional treasure” by Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on Thursday.

The ruby ​​was recently cut from a 101-carat rough stone discovered in July 2022 at a ruby ​​mine in Mozambique, one of the largest ruby ​​deposits in the world

Reflecting on the pink diamond’s achievement, he added: “It was equally an honor to have handled a diamond as breathtaking and extraordinary in nature as The Eternal Pink, and the award today reaffirms that Sotheby’s is the main destination for the world’s rarest diamond creations.

“I am proud to speak on behalf of Sotheby’s global jewelery division as I say how privileged we are to have been stewards of these ultra-rare gemstones and today’s results are further evidence that there is a continued demand for the finest diamonds and gemstones. of the highest order.’

Sotheby’s said that even in its 101-carat raw, untouched state, the ruby ​​was “regarded by experts as an exceptional treasure of nature.”

It is praised “for its fluorescence, excellent clarity and vibrant red hue, known as ‘pigeon’s blood’ – a color traditionally associated only with Burmese rubies.”

The Gubelin Gem Lab, one of two laboratories that assessed the gemstone, said the size and quality of the ruby ​​was “almost unimaginable.”

“It was almost unimaginable to see a natural ruby ​​of this size, with such a combination of quality features spared from handling,” the New York-based firm said.

Sotheby’s said that even in its 101-carat raw, untouched state, the ruby ​​was “regarded by experts as an exceptional treasure of nature”

Experts have said that the ruby, found in Mozambique, changes the perception of the quality of African stones

It is celebrated ‘for its fluorescence, excellent clarity and vibrant red hue, known as ‘pigeon’s blood’ – a color traditionally associated only with Burmese rubies’

“The 55.22 carat natural ruby ​​sets a new record not only for Mozambican rubies, but for rubies in general.”

The other gem lab, the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF), also based in New York, wrote that gems “show vibrant red hues due to multiple internal reflections.”

They said that “a natural ruby ​​from Mozambique of this size and quality can be considered very rare and thus an exceptional treasure of nature.”

The current world record for a ruby ​​sold at auction is held by the Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat Burmese stone, which was auctioned at Sotheby’s Geneva in May 2015 for $30.3 million.

This price also set a new record for each ruby ​​per carat ($1,185,451 per carat) at the time.

The ruby ​​was found in an area of ​​Mozambique, Cabo Delgado province, where ISIS-inspired Islamic militants have been attacked.

The town of Montepuez was attacked in October, with hundreds of people fleeing their homes Human rights watch.

Two mines operating in the area – not operated by Fura – were forced to cease operations due to the attacks.