Sotheby’s, one of the most renowned auction houses, is set to auction one of the greatest gem discoveries of the century. The Estrela de Fura, a 55.22 carat ruby, is the largest and most valuable ruby to ever appear at auction, and is expected to achieve in excess of $30 million. The gemstone was unearthed in Mozambique and cut from a 101 carat rough, the world’s largest gem-quality ruby in existence. The Estrela de Fura will highlight Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction this June in New York.
In September 2022, FURA Gems announced its historic uncovering of the world’s largest gem-quality ruby ever discovered. The gemstone, weighing an astonishing 101 carats, was subsequently named Estrela de Fura, which means “Star of FURA” in Portuguese. Even in its rough, untouched state, Estrela de FURA was considered an exceptional treasure of nature for its fluorescence, outstanding clarity, and vivid red hue known as “pigeon’s blood.”
The ruby has become one of the most sought-after colored gemstones at a time when color dominates the world of jewels, and rarity drives the market. Rubies of this importance and magnitude are exceedingly rare, with only two examples having ever broken the $15 million barrier at auction, making the appearance of the present gem a landmark event in itself.
The Estrela de Fura 55.22 is poised to make history as it sets to surpass The Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59 carat ruby of Burmese origin, which sold for $30.3 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2015, and still holds the world auction record for a ruby. The Gübelin Gem Lab states further that the ruby “is setting a new record not only for Mozambican rubies but also for rubies in general.”
The stone’s new journey commences at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, where it will then embark on a worldwide tour, with exhibitions scheduled in Taipei, China, Singapore, Geneva, and Dubai before it stars in Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on 8th June 2023. The Estrela de Fura 55.22 is expected to attract bids from around the world, with potential buyers eager to secure a piece of history. The ruby’s unmatched quality and size, combined with its natural beauty, have made it one of the most significant gemstones of the century.
The Estrela de Fura 55.22 is an extraordinary gemstone that has captured the attention of the world. Its unique combination of color, size, and clarity make it a truly one-of-a-kind treasure. The fact that it is the largest and most valuable ruby to ever appear at auction only adds to its allure. Sotheby’s auction in June promises to be a historic event, as the world waits to see who will be the lucky owner of this magnificent gemstone.
