Some most famous rubies have set auction records, others were stolen, and a few were part of private collections. And in some cases they are currently on permanent display for the enjoyment of many. But in one way or another, they all have in common the fact that they have made international headlines. Being for this reason, the most famous specimens of its kind.
If you love jewellery as much as we do, you will surely want to know which are the most famous rubies and how they came to be. Well, let’s take a look at some of them, to find out.
Most famous rubies and their history
The Liberty Bell Ruby
The Liberty Bell ruby is the largest mined ruby in the world, and it was found in the 1950s in East Africa. It is a specimen that weighs four pounds or eight thousand five hundred carats. It is a single piece of ruby carved in the shape of a bell, surrounded by a border of white diamonds and surmounted by an eagle.
The Liberty Bell was created for the Beverly Hills-based Kazanjian Brothers jewellery company by sculptor Alfonso de Vivanco. On the occasion of the celebration of the Bicentennial of the United States, in 1976 and has 50 diamonds, which represent each of the states. This is one of the most famous rubies and was stolen from the Stuart Kingston Jewellers in Wilmington, Deleware on November 1st, 2011. Although the thieves were arrested and prosecuted in February 2014, the ruby has yet to be recovered.
The DeLong-Star Ruby
The DeLong Star ruby is on permanent display at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. The gemstone is 100.32 carats and was found in Burma in the 1930s. This beautiful 6-spoke oval cabochon star ruby is named after Mrs. Edith Haggin de Long. Who bought it in 1937 from Martin Leo Ehrmann, a renowned collector and dealer of gems and minerals, for $ 21,400.
It was donated to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City that same year. However, the DeLong Star ruby was also stolen in a jewellery heist. Although also with a series of precious stones such as the Star of India and the Sapphire of the Midnight Star.
It was stolen from the museum in what became known as the “Jewellery of the Century Heist” in 1964. Thus becoming one of the most famous rubies. Fortunately, some gemstones were recovered including the Delong Star ruby, for which a $ 25,000 ransom had to be paid. Amount that was paid by a Florida business magnate named John D. MacArthur.
The Rosser Reeves Ruby
This stone originally from Sri Lanka is among the most famous rubies for being one of the largest and finest star rubies in the world. Standing out for its great colour and prominent well-defined star pattern. Advertising mogul Rosser Reeves, an American advertising executive named after him, donated this piece to the Smithsonian in 1965.
But before that, he carried it like a lucky stone, referring to it as his baby. In addition to being one of the largest and finest star rubies in the world, it is clearer and more translucent than the Delong Star. It is a ruby with a sharp six-rayed star that weighs 27.74 g or 138.7 carats.
The Neelanjali Ruby
It is one of the most famous rubies, as it holds the record for being the largest ruby in the world with a double star. This beautiful 1,370 carat gemstone was revered and treasured for centuries by a family in India. And the Neelanjali ruby is reportedly currently safe in Bangalore, India.
The Graff Ruby
This stone could not be off the list of the most famous rubies. Well, this 8.62-carat cushion-cut Burmese ruby set auction records for Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels. Held in Geneva in November 2014, being sold for more than 8 million dollars. It is a spectacular gemstone displaying the coveted “pigeon blood” red colour that was purchased by Laurence Graff. To whom by the way it owes its name.
The Sunrise Ruby
The Sunrise ruby is the most expensive ruby in the world and the most expensive stone in the world that is not a diamond. With a sale price of more than 30 million dollars. Which meant a world record not only for ruby but for any coloured gemstone sold at auction. So it is not strange to anyone that it is one of the most famous rubies in the world.
The gem in question is a 25.59-carat untreated certified Burmese ruby set in a Cartier ring and flanked by white diamonds. Which also has a very saturated natural “pigeon blood red” colour; high clarity and gloss and finely proportioned cut and shape. Certainly an exquisitely beautiful piece of jewellery. And it is named after a poem of the same name, written by the 13th century Sufi poet, Rumi.
The Carmen Lúcia Ruby
This spectacular 23.1 carat Burmese ruby is among the largest and finest faceted Burmese rubies in the world. It is set in a platinum ring with 2 triangular cut diamonds totalling 2.38 carats.
In addition to its large size, this wonderful gemstone exhibits a richly saturated homogeneous red colour, combined with a high degree of transparency. The stone was mined from the legendary Mogok region of Burma in the 1930s. The ring was donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in 2004, by businessman and philanthropist Peter Buck in memory of his wife Carmen Lúcia.
The Hope Ruby
Affectionately called “The Hope Ruby,”this 32-carat cushion-shaped ruby is set on a Chaumet-designed diamond ring. The highlight of the design includes the gemstone’s vivid red (pigeon blood colour). Which is typical and characteristic of the fine rubies of the Mogok gemstone area.
It was auctioned in May 2012 by billionaire Lily Safra along with her collection of “jewels of Hope”. Managing to sell it for 6.74 million dollars. The auction price is a world record, being the highest price ever paid for a ruby sold at auction. The sale of the ring with all proceeds from the auction was used to benefit 32 local charities.
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