What is the most expensive ruby color?
Here is a ranking of the most coveted, luxurious and unique scarlet gemstones sold at record prices by major auction houses. Rubies have long held the crown as one of the most expensive colored gemstones. Records of value at auctions have not lasted very long recently. Such a fierce struggle for a new record once again indicates that high-quality rubies will continue to rise in price. Moreover, 6 of the 10 most expensive rubies in the world were sold at auction within the last year and a half. Advertising – Continued below The stones, for which many are willing to pay exorbitant sums, have a noble origin: they were all mined at the famous Burmese Mogok deposit and have the rarest “pigeon’s blood” color. Even a small ruby of this color is incredibly valuable. The Swiss Gemological Institute (SSEF) described one 10,1-carat Pigeon’s Blood Mogo ruby as follows: “A natural Burmese ruby of this size and quality is extremely rare and can truly be called a treasure of nature.” Since ruby is the patron of the month of July, we present to you the ten most expensive rubies ever sold at auction.
10. Burmese ruby weighing 12,46 carats in a ring with diamonds
$3 ($721 per carat) Sotheby’s auction, Geneva, May 2014 Advertising – Continued below The ruby is cushion cut and rests between two large triangular diamonds. The ring comes with SSEF and Gübelin reports confirming the origin of the stone and the absence of traces of heat treatment. Also included is a letter describing the exceptional nature of this ruby.
9. Diamond ring with ruby weighing 8,99 carats from Harry Winston
$3 ($935 per carat) Christie’s auction, Hong Kong, November 2013 The platinum and 750k gold ring features a stunning cushion-cut ruby surrounded by triangular diamonds. The ring is accompanied by a letter from the American Gemological Laboratory, according to which the stone has the rich, saturated color inherent in specimens mined in the Mogok deposit. Traditionally, this color of ruby is called “pigeon blood color.” A skillful cut highlights the richness of the color of this stone, creating a unique play of light inside the ruby.
8. 30,2 carat ruby set in diamond ring
$4 ($265 per carat) Advertising – Continued below Sotheby’s auction, Geneva, May 2011 The 30,2 carat cushion cut ruby has exceptional color. Its splendor is complemented by two pear-shaped diamonds weighing 2 and 2,02 carats. The stones adorn this elegant platinum ring. The product is accompanied by a report from Gübelin confirming the origin of the stone and the presence of signs of heat treatment.
7. Regal 13,21 carat Mogok ruby on diamond ring
$5 ($967 per carat) Christie’s auction, Hong Kong, November 2013 Read more:
Christie’s held a private show of jewelry The 750k white and yellow gold ring features a 13,21 carat oval ruby surrounded by crescent-shaped diamonds. The stone is distinguished by its bright red color, impeccable clarity and original cut. Upon careful examination, small inclusions were identified, characteristic of rubies mined in the Mogok Valley. Advertising – Continued below
6. The Queen of Burma – Cartier ring with 23,66-carat Burmese ruby and diamonds
$6 ($084 per carat) Christie’s auction, Geneva, November 2014 At the center of the composition is an oval ruby weighing 23,66 carats, set with platinum prongs set with baguette-cut diamonds. The ring was made by Cartier London in 1937. The piece is accompanied by a report from SSEF, as well as a letter that states: “The uniqueness of this ruby ring lies not only in the quality, beauty and provenance of the ruby, but also in its historical significance. Thus, Queen of Burma is a truly exceptional treasure.”
5. Patiño Ruby – 32,08 carat Mogok ruby in a ring from Chaumet
$6 ($736 per carat) Advertising – Continued below Christie’s auction, Geneva, May 2012 A 32,08 carat cushion cut ruby sits on a pedestal of trapezoidal diamonds. The ring is accompanied by a report from the Swiss Gemological Institute (SSEF), confirming the Burmese origin of the stone and the absence of traces of heat treatment. Also included is a letter which states: “The rich red color of the stone, also known as ‘pigeon blood’, is created by nature thanks to the unique combination of impurities typical of the finest examples of Mogok Valley rubies.”
4. Cartier diamond ring with a 29,62-carat Mogok ruby
$7 ($379 per carat) Sotheby’s auction, Hong Kong, April 2014 Advertising – Continued below The stone has a rich color, which is an inherent quality of rubies from the famous Burmese valley. A worthy setting for it was a ring from Cartier, one of the most respected jewelry houses in the world. There are no traces of heat treatment on the ruby, and the unique combination of noble color and large size makes it an extremely valuable stone.
3. 10,1 carat Mogok ruby on a diamond brooch from Cartier
$8 ($428 per carat) Christie’s auction, Hong Kong, November 2014 Set with square, triangular and rectangular diamonds, the ethereal octagonal platinum piece is centered on a 10-carat cushion-cut ruby. The piece is accompanied by a report from SSEF confirming the authenticity of the ruby’s color. Also included is a letter describing the outstanding characteristics of the stone. Ruby is distinguished by its elegant cut, impeccable clarity and bright, rich color.
2. 8,62 carat Graff ruby set in a diamond ring
$8 ($600 per carat) Advertising – Continued below Sotheby’s auction, Geneva, November 2014 In November 2014, a Burmese ruby weighing 8,62 carats was auctioned at Sotheby’s Geneva. Its price was 8 dollars, and it was only two thousand dollars short of the price of a million per carat. An 8,62 carat cushion cut ruby supported by two triangular diamonds. The ring is also set with smaller diamonds and features the Graff logo. The product is accompanied by reports from SSEF and Gübelin, according to which the ruby is of Burmese origin and does not show any traces of heat treatment. From the letter from SSEF, which also accompanies the piece: “This stone is of good size and clarity, which combines well with the skillful cut. Microscopic inclusions are a characteristic feature of rubies mined in the famous Mogok Valley (Myanmar). The rich red color of the stone, also known as “pigeon blood color”, is due to the unique combination of impurities typical of the best examples of Mogok Valley rubies.” .
1. Sunrise ruby weighing 25,59 carats in a ring from Cartier
$30 ($335 per carat) Read more:
10 most famous jewelry brands Sotheby’s auction, Geneva, May 2015 Earlier this year, a Burmese ruby went under the hammer for a record $30 million, or more than $1 million per carat. A cushion cut ruby weighing 25,59 carats is set between two shield cut diamonds weighing 2,47 and 2,7 carats. The product is accompanied by a report from SSEF and Gübelin, according to which the ruby is of Burmese origin, shows no traces of heat treatment, and its color can rightfully be called “pigeon blood color.” The Sunrise sale took place at Sotheby’s in Geneva in May, and on that day not one, but three records were set: the highest price for a ruby, the highest price per carat and the highest price for a Cartier piece. In the last category, the Sunrise ruby broke the record of a jadeite necklace owned by Barbara Hutton. Rubies are certainly magnificent stones, but they are not the only gems that present a beautiful scarlet palette, and each of them is worthy of attention. You might also want to admire the most expensive colored diamonds sold in the last 50 years – their beauty can leave you speechless. Subscribe to Jewelery Mag on Telegram and VK to be the first to know about new publications. In autumn, stones in rich shades of red are especially pleasing to the eye. The focus is on rubies and rubellites, the color of which resembles ripe berries, from raspberries to cherries. The jewelry brand Mercury gladly uses them in its jewelry. Mercury Color rings in white gold with rubies and diamonds. On the left is a marquise-cut ruby over 3,5 ct, on the right is an oval-cut Burmese ruby weighing 6 ct. For each piece of jewelry, gemologists, in accordance with international standards, select the best gemstones based on color, shape and weight. Laconic design and classic style always remain in demand.
Place in the crown
Among all the precious red stones, ruby certainly reigns supreme. It belongs to the corundum family and its color is caused by the presence of chromium. The most valuable rubies are characterized by rich, slightly crimson shades. “As with any colored gemstone, the lion’s share of a ruby’s value comes from its rich color,” Mercury gemologists explain. – In the north of Myanmar, former Burma, in the mines of the mountainous Mogok region, rubies of a deep red color with a slight blue tint are mined, thanks to which the name “pigeon blood” was born. This color, neither too light nor too dark, is considered the standard of beauty for rubies.” Since ancient times, rubies have symbolized strength and power, wealth and the will to live. However, before the advent of gemology, there was no chemical analysis of stones, so many important historical rubies – including those in the English crown and the crown of the Russian Empire – turned out to be rubellites and spinels. If we continue the analogy with berries, then rubellite is also characterized by raspberry shades, but lighter, and the most beautiful and expensive of them are close in tone to ripe cherries. Red spinel, compared to ruby, has a strawberry, more scarlet color. Today, rubies are becoming increasingly rare, and therefore more expensive, and jewelry designers and their clients are increasingly turning to rubellites. Being a variety of tourmaline, these stones allow you to create decent “ruby” type jewelry, but at a more affordable price.
Cuts and features
The uniqueness of gemstones in Mercury jewelry is not just words. For example, the “marquise” cut, which looks like lips in a smile, is rarely used for rubies: when it is formed, a very expensive stone loses a lot in weight (although it gains in beauty). It was used for the Burmese ruby in a white gold ring with diamonds – as a result, the weight of the stone was 3,5 carats. The ring next to it uses an oval-cut ruby weighing more than 6 carats: it is from Burma, where the most expensive rubies in the world are mined. All rubies weighing more than 10 carats are considered extremely rare, so a ring with a 10 carat ruby that looks classic at first glance is considered truly unique. 
Mercury Color. Long earrings made of white gold with diamonds and Burmese rubies of 2 carats each, pigeon blood color, use another extremely rare cut for rubies – “heart”. 
Mercury Color. An example of the same reference color can be seen in earrings with oval rubies of 3,5 carats each and marquise and pear cut diamonds. These are, of course, decorations for evening outings. 
Mercury Color. And for young girls, elegant earrings in the form of daisies with pear-cut rubies will suit them. 
Mercury Color. A particular challenge for jewelers is to select several large, high-quality rubies and combine them into one cut. This is how the bracelet with rectangular cut diamonds and rubies was created. 
Mercury Color. While rubies weighing around 10 carats are very rare, rubellites of comparable size are more affordable and no less impressive. 
Mercury Color. For example, a rectangular cut rubellite with a total weight of more than 9 carats looks very impressive in a ring with diamonds weighing more than 2,5 carats. 
Mercury Color: Rectangular cut rubellite weighing over 9 carats total, diamonds weighing over 2,5 carats.
