This 55-Carat Ruby Could Fetch More Than $30M at Auction
The 55.22-carat “Estrela de Fura” is headed to Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale in June.

In addition to the 10.57-carat purplish pink diamond, called “The Eternal Pink,” headlining the June 8 Magnificent Jewels sale, an important ruby also will be up for sale.
The “Estrela de Fura” is a 55.22-carat Mozambican ruby cut from a 101-carat rough stone Fura Gems mined last year in Montepuez.
At the time of the discovery, Fura noted that such large scale rubies typically have “significant impurities or low cutting yield,” in contrast to the Estrela de Fura (Portuguese for “Star of Fura”), which has a vivid red hue and high clarity.
The Gübelin Gem Lab noted, “Already in its rough state, the Estrela de Fura showed its extraordinary quality traits with a potential to become a one-of-a-kind gemstone. The cutter was able to realize this potential and created a faceted ruby with an astounding 55.22-carat weight, displaying a saturated and homogenous red color, combined with a degree of clarity unseen in any other unheated ruby of comparable size.”
According to Fura, it is the largest gem-quality ruby ever uncovered.

The red hue is categorized as “pigeon’s blood,” a term typically reserved for Burmese rubies.
The cushion-shaped stone has, “vivid red hues due to multiple internal reflections,” per its report from the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF).
The ruby contains chromium, which, when exposed to ultraviolet light like sunlight, causes red fluorescence, giving the effect of a glow from within, Fura Gems and Sotheby’s said.
The auction house expects the Estrela de Fura to garner at least $30 million at the Magnificent Jewels sale on June 8.

The current world record for any ruby sold at auction is $30.3 million for the “Sunrise Ruby,” a 25.59-carat Burmese ruby sold at Sotheby’s Geneva in May 2015.
It also established the highest price per carat for any ruby sold at auction, at about $1.19 million per carat.
Interestingly, the Sunrise Ruby will hit the auction block again soon, this time at Christie’s New York as part of “The World of Heidi Horten” sale, which is expected to garner more than $150 million, topping the record for any private jewelry collection, a record held by Elizabeth Taylor’s estate that garnered $137.2 million in 2011.
The Latest

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.


The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.