(PRESS RELEASE) In September 2022, FURA Gems announced its historic uncovering of the world’s largest gem-quality ruby ever discovered, taking the global gemstone market by storm. Unearthed from FURA’s ruby mine in Montepeuz, Mozambique in July 2022, the gemstone — weighing an astonishing 101 carats — was named Estrela de FURA (Star of FURA in Portuguese), in a nod to its outstanding depth of colour and size. The name is also a tribute to Mozambique, as the Portuguese-speaking country rises in stature as a rich source of premium quality rubies. On April 5, as the hammer fell on the final lot of Sotheby’s “The Exceptional Luxury Evening Auction” in Hong Kong, Sotheby’s auctioneer, Uni Kim, officially unveiled Estrela de FURA 55.22 to the world.
Weighing a sizable 55.22 carats, this exceptionally important and rare Mozambique gem is the largest gem-quality ruby to ever appear at auction. Its combination of rich saturation of color, untouched by heat treatment, highly crystalline appearance and incomparable size — with an estimate in excess of $30 million — places Estrela de FURA 55.22 as the most valuable and important ruby ever to come to market. “Estrela de FURA 55.22 is a true wonder of nature. It is undoubtedly positioned to become the standard bearer for African rubies, and gemstones in general, bringing global awareness to their ability to be on par with, and even outshine, those from Burma, which have traditionally been the most desirable and recognizable source for rubies,” says Quig Bruning, Head of Sotheby’s Jewelry, Americas.
Even in its rough, untouched state, Estrela de FURA was considered by experts to be an exceptional treasure of nature for its fluorescence, outstanding clarity and vivid red hue, known as ‘pigeon’s blood’, a color traditionally associated only with Burmese rubies. “Important gemstones, such as Estrela de FURA, are extremely rare, and a beautifully faceted gem-quality ruby of 55.22 carats is almost unheard of. From the in-depth analysis and study of the stone, through the process of cutting and polishing, we have worked with the utmost care and respect for the ruby, recognizing its importance and stature,” says Dev Shetty, the founder and CEO, FURA Gems. The company was founded in 2017 by the Indian-origin entrepreneur and is one of the largest organized color gemstone-mining firms in the world.
Estrela de FURA 55.22 has embarked 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 June 8. It is set to surpass the Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59 carat ruby of Burmese origin, which sold for $30.3 million ($1,185,451 per carat) at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2015, and still holds the world auction record for a ruby.
