A Few Famous Fine Rubies

The Sunrise Ruby

The Sunrise Ruby
In May 2015, a new gemstone auction record was set by a ruby; the most expensive ruby. The precious gem is known as the Sunrise Ruby. It is a 25.59-carat, cushion-cut, untreated "pigeon blood" red Burmese ruby, which is set into a Cartier ring and flanked by white diamonds. A Swiss buyer paid $30 million for the red gemstone (over $1 million per carat). The Sunrise Ruby was assessed by the Gubelin Gem Lab in Zurich, where it was concluded that the ruby was a vivid "pigeon blood" red and of rare quality.

The value of high-quality rubies continues to rise, with notable examples of record-breaking prices. One such instance is the "Graff Ruby," an 8.62-carat gemstone that achieved an impressive $8.6 million ($997,727 per carat) at Sotheby's in November 2014. Another remarkable auction took place in 1988 at Sotheby's, where the Alan Caplan Ruby, also known as the Mogok Ruby, fetched a record-breaking price of $227,301 per carat. As its alternative name suggests, the Alan Caplan Ruby originates from Mogok, Burma. This cushion-cut gem weighs 15.97 carats and boasts excellent clarity. It was acquired by Graff of London. Additionally, the 8.24-carat Richard Burton Ruby held its own price-per-carat record, selling for $4.2 million at Christie's in 2011.

The Liberty Bell Ruby

The Liberty Bell Ruby
The Liberty Bell Ruby has an appraised value of $2 million. It is a single piece of ruby that was carved into a bell shape, surrounded by a white diamond border and topped by an eagle for the United States 1976 Bicentennial celebration. There are 50 diamonds, which represent the states. The large ruby carving was produced for the Kazanjian Brothers jewelry company by Alfonso de Vivanco. It weighs 4.5 pounds and is said to have come from one of the largest uncut rubies in the world. It was hoped that the Ruby would be sold to a philanthropist and donated to a museum. Unfortunately, while the Liberty Bell Ruby was being kept at the Stuart Kingston jewelry store in Wilmington, Delaware, four men held up the store and stole the precious gemstone, along with other items, in November 2011. Altogether, the jewels stolen in the heist were worth over $4 million. The four were later arrested, but the stolen items including the Liberty Bell Ruby were not recovered.

Another of the largest uncut rubies in the world is a 150 kilogram stone, which was offered for sale by a retired businessman in Dubai in 2012. The incredible gem was purchased from miners in Tanzania by Muhammed Jetha. Mr. Jetha held onto the stone for almost 20 years before deciding to sell it.

The Rosser Reeves Ruby

The Rosser Reeves Ruby
The Rosser Reeves Ruby, affectionately referred to as "my baby" by its owner, is named after Rosser Reeves, an American advertising executive known for his book "Reality in Advertising" and the concept of the "Unique Selling Proposition" (USP). In 1965, Reeves generously donated this remarkable gem to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. Originating from Sri Lanka, the Rosser Reeves Ruby is a stunning 138.72-carat star ruby with exceptional qualities. Its translucency, vibrant color, and perfectly aligned, well-defined star contribute to its status as a truly exquisite gemstone.

Another beautiful star ruby donated to an American museum is the DeLong Star Ruby; a 100.32-carat Burmese star ruby. It is named after Mrs. Edith Haggin de Long, who acquired the gemstone and donated it to the American Museum of Natural History, New York. However, during a jewel heist in 1964, the DeLong Star Ruby, the Star of India and many other priceless jewels were stolen. Luckily, the thieves were caught and these and some of the other stolen jewels were later recovered. The DeLong Star Ruby was ransomed for $25,000 and is now in its rightful place at the American Museum of Natural History.

While the gemstones mentioned above represent just a fraction of the remarkable rubies in existence, they serve as a testament to the awe-inspiring world of these precious stones. The realm of record-breaking rubies is ever-evolving, with new milestones constantly being achieved. From the largest cut rubies to the uncut ones, and even the most expensive rubies sold at auction, the boundaries of what is possible continue to be pushed.

This is largely due to the rising prices of rubies, the ongoing efforts in mining, and the exciting discoveries that continue to be made. If you're eager to delve deeper into the captivating world of these beautiful red gemstones, there is a wealth of information waiting to be explored. If you would like to read more about beautiful red rubies, check out our article about the Carmen Lucia Ruby and our ruby gemstone information.