In a momentous auction held in New York, the largest ruby ever presented for sale has been sold for a remarkable price of nearly $35 million (£28 million).
Unveiled last year, the colossal gemstone weighing 55.22 carats was unearthed in a mine located in Mozambique.
Originally an uncut marvel boasting a weight of 101 carats, the ruby has been christened “Estrela de Fura,” which translates to “Star of Fura” in Portuguese, paying homage to the mining company responsible for its discovery.
Polished rubies exceeding five carats in size are exceedingly scarce, making this gem a truly extraordinary find.
Sotheby’s, the renowned auction house responsible for facilitating the sale, hailed the ruby as a “once-in-a-lifetime” jewel, underscoring its rarity and allure.
Furthermore, this noteworthy auction also witnessed a record-breaking price achieved for a pink diamond.
A magnificent 10.5-carat gem originating from Botswana, described as a fancy purplish-pink stone, commanded a price just shy of $35 million.