For the first time in auction history, two gemstones were sold in a single auction above the $30 million mark. Both were offered as "estimate on request" and both achieved $34.8 million.
Estrela de FURA: 55.22 is the name of the ruby that entered the auction room at Sotheby's in New York on June 9. The 101-carat raw ruby from which it was cut was only discovered in Mozambique in July 2022, and several accompanying reports confirm the origin and importance of the stone, whose deep color corresponds to the coveted nuance "pigeon blood." The ruby was shaped into its current form - cushion cut at 55.22 carats - in Bangkok after numerous experts were consulted to find the right cut for this exceptional stone.
Related: Diamonds: An Iridescent Investment
The Portuguese name Estrela de FURA: 55.22 ("star of FURA: 55.22") thus refers on the one hand to the carat number of the ruby and on the other hand to the name of the mining company FURA, which has been active in Mozambique since 2017. The realized price of $34.8 million means not only a new auction record for a ruby, but also for any colored gemstone.
Related: History's Most Famous Engagement Rings
Also at the Magnificent Jewels auction, a Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond sold for $34.8 million, setting a new record for a diamond of this color (roughly $3.3 million per carat).
Want to discover articles like this straight to your inbox? Then register today for our free newsletter!
The Eternal Pink was cut in New York from a 23.78-carat rough diamond discovered in 2020 at a mine in Botswana. About 10.57 carats in a cushion cut remained, which were certified in a GIA report as having a natural color and internal flawless clarity. Another accompanying letter from the institution describes the diamond as “a stunning specimen; one of the great wonders of nature transformed by artistry and ingenuity." Pink diamonds are among the rarest colored diamonds, and are rarely found larger than one carat.
Check out Barnebys Magazine for more news from the auction market!
