New York, June 10, 2023 – A remarkable 55.22-carat ruby has made history by becoming the largest and most valuable gem of its kind ever to be sold at auction, achieving an astounding price of $34.8 million. Discovered less than a year ago by Canadian firm Fura Gems at one of their mines in Mozambique, the “Estrela de Fura” or “Star of Fura” was auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York.
Unearthing a Rare Marvel:
Mozambique, known for its burgeoning ruby industry since a significant deposit was found near Montepuez in 2009, has now produced one of the world’s most precious gemstones. The Estrela de Fura possesses exceptional clarity and boasts a dark red color known as “pigeon’s blood,” reminiscent of the highly sought-after Burmese rubies. Its rarity, combined with its outstanding quality, has propelled it to the top of the auction charts.
Record-Breaking Auction:
The previous record for a ruby at auction was held by the Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat gem from Myanmar that fetched $30.3 million in 2015. However, the Estrela de Fura’s sale has now taken the crown as the most valuable ruby ever sold, solidifying rubies’ position as some of the world’s most treasured and scarce gemstones. The ruby’s remarkable journey from a rough stone to its current form, meticulously cut and polished to enhance its color and brilliance, caught the attention of gem enthusiasts worldwide.
Exceptional Cut and Color:
The Estrela de Fura, initially weighing a staggering 101 carats, was transformed into a smaller symmetrical shape through careful cutting and polishing. These processes not only removed impurities but also intensified the gem’s color and brilliance. The Swiss Gemmological Institute reported that the transformation resulted in vivid red hues due to multiple internal reflections, further accentuating the ruby’s extraordinary beauty.
Recognition of Rarity and Significance:
Dev Shetty, founder and CEO of Fura Gems, expressed astonishment at the size and quality of the gem, emphasizing that stones of such magnitude and brilliance are “almost unheard of.” Recognizing the ruby’s importance and stature, Fura Gems handled the stone with utmost care throughout the analysis, cutting, and polishing stages. The company’s dedication to preserving the gem’s exceptional qualities contributed to its ultimate success at auction.
Putting Mozambique on the Gemstone Map:
Sotheby’s, in describing the Estrela de Fura as possessing “outstanding clarity” and the coveted “pigeon’s blood” color, believes this gem will elevate African stones to rival and even surpass those from Myanmar. While rubies were first discovered in Mozambique several decades ago, it was the significant find near Montepuez that transformed the region into one of the world’s most productive ruby-mining areas. The auction of the Estrela de Fura showcases Mozambique’s emergence as a formidable player in the global gemstone industry.
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Auction of Rare Marvels:
The Estrela de Fura shared the spotlight with another extraordinary gemstone at Sotheby’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale. The Eternal Pink, a dazzling 10.57-carat pink diamond, also fetched an impressive $34.8 million. Described as “ultra-rare” with unparalleled color and brightness, the pink diamond further solidified the auction’s reputation as a platform for the most exquisite and valuable gemstones.
The Estrela de Fura and The Eternal Pink were showcased in several cities, including Dubai, Singapore, and Geneva, before being presented to enthusiastic bidders in New York. The successful sale of these exceptional gems marks a momentous occasion in the world of fine jewelry and serves as a testament to the enduring allure and enduring value of rare and precious gemstones.
