Most Famous and Magnificent Ruby Jewellery in the World

Rubies, known for their striking red color and mysterious origins, have fascinated humans for centuries. With rich history, these prestigious gems have been coveted by European royalty and referenced in religious texts such as the Bible. They were worn by Burmese warriors in a battle and even used as offerings to Hindu gods in hopes of improving karma. The deep red color of rubies led many ancient cultures to believe they held the power of life. Rubies are among the most expensive gemstones, commanding higher prices per carat than any other gemstone except for colored diamonds. They have a reputation for causing excitement and bidding wars in auction rooms. So let's have a look at the most famous and expensive examples of ruby gemstone. Before we start, please do not forget to subscribe to my channel and like this video. Cartier the Sunrise Ruby. This extremely rare ruby and diamond ring weighing 25.59 carats sold at Sotheby's auction for $30.3 million in 2015. It boards a trio of world records, highest auction price for a ruby, most expensive colored gemstone, and most expensive gemstone other than a diamond. Originally mined in Burma, its current name is derived from a poem of the same name. David Bennett, the worldwide chairman of Sotheby's International Jewelry Division, said, In over 40 years I cannot recall ever having seen another Burmese ruby of this exceptional size and such outstanding color. The Jubilee Ruby. Weighing almost 16 carats and set in a distinctive gold and diamond mountain by Vendura, the Jubilee Ruby was sold for $14.2 million at Christie's New York in 2016. It is third most expensive ruby to ever sell at auction. It's a cushion cup, but it's almost circular, which in itself is very rare. The Black Prince Ruby. The imperial state crown has been altered and remade several times since 1838, but the Black Prince Ruby has continued to gleam in the front of every version of the crown. The Black Prince Ruby is the large, irregular cabochon red spinel, weighing 170 carats. But why is this gem called a ruby, when it's really a spinel? It's because the technology that allowed for differentiation between the two stones has only existed since 1783. Before that date, all red gemstones were called rubies. This gem was mined at least 400 years before spinels and rubies could be differentiated. It was probably discovered in the Himalayan mountains of Central Asia. The Crimson Flame. This exceptional Burmese ruby and diamond ring of 15.0 carats known as the Crimson Flame, with near-perfect crystallization at the Pigeon Blood red color, sold at Christie's Hong Kong in 2015 for just under 18.5 million. This extraordinary Pigeon Blood ruby sold for a world record price per carat, 1.22 million dollars per carat. And now it is second most expensive ruby in the world ever sold in auctions. The DuPont Ruby. The DuPont Ruby is a brooch accompanied by emeralds, diamonds, and natural pearls mounted on platinum and gold. This exceptional stone of 11.2 carats was offered in 2019's New York Magnificent Jewels auction and had originally belonged to Mrs. Jessie Ball DuPont. It was offered on behalf of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to benefit their future acquisitions fund and sold for $8.9 million, or almost $800,000 per carat. The Graff Ruby. The esteemed London luxury jeweler Lawrence Graff has paid a record $8.6 million for a Burmese ruby, the top lot at Sotheby's Geneva auction. Graff, known as the King of Diamonds, was buying the ruby of 8.62 carats for the second time, having acquired it first at an auction eight years earlier. He had named the Pigeon Blood gemstone the Graff Ruby at the time. This is the finest ruby in the world. We are very proud to have it in our possession for the second time, Graff said. The Timur Ruby Necklace. Just like the Black Prince Ruby, this massive red gemstone is actually a spinel. The name of the stone comes from Timur Tamerlane, the founder and namesake of the Timurid Empire in Central Asia. Timur, lived in the 14th century, was said to have been an early owner of the spinel, which would mean that it would have to have been mined by at least the 14th century. The irregularly shaped cabochon spinel weighs in at an impressive 361 carats. Now the necklace is in UK Royal Family Collection, but there is no photos appear to exist showing the Queen or any other family member wearing the necklace. Ruby and Diamond Brooch or Hair Ornament. A stunning diamond bow brooch featuring a 6.89-carat Burmese ruby, given to Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria by her father to mark the birth of her two sons, was featured in the Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family Auction at Sotheby's Geneva in November 2018. It fetched $372,000. Burmese Ruby Tiara. When Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip of Greece in 1947, she received a wedding gift of 96 rubies from the people of Burma, which were believed to protect from 96 diseases. By the way, a prophetic gift, since the Queen passed away at the age of 96. The rubies were displayed with the other wedding gifts at St. James's Palace in the days leading up to the wedding, but not worn. Another wedding gift was the Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara, which was not worn after the early 1950s and by 1973. The diamonds in the tiara were used with the Burmese rubies to create a new tiara from Gerard, featuring heraldic Tudor roses. The Queen first wore the Burmese ruby tiara on her first state visit to Japan in 1975. Fady Red Emperor Ruby and Diamond Necklace. The Fady Red Emperor Ruby and Diamond Necklace features 60 rubies weighing more than 104 carats. Amazed over 4th generation of the family-owned Fady jewelry house. It sold for nearly $10 million at Sotheby's Hong Kong auction in April 2014.