Great Ruby Rings of the World, Part 2

By Yaĝé Enigmus

Among the most prized ruby rings of the world is the Graff Ruby ring. The Graff Ruby originates from the Mogok mining district of Burma and currently sits in a stunning prong setting between two triangular diamonds on a pavé diamond shank. The immaculate 8.62 carat unheated Burmese ruby possesses perfect colours and was first sold at auction to jeweller Laurence Graff in February 2006, who named the stone “The Graff Ruby” upon purchase. The London jeweller crafted a setting for the stone and eventually sold the ring. Eight years after first purchasing the ruby, Graff reacquired the ring on November 12th, 2014 at Sotheby’s Magnificent and Noble Jewels” sale in Geneva, Switzerland for the price of $8.6 million. A significant ruby in the history of gemstones, Graff described the stone as “the finest ruby in the world” and said he was “proud to have it...for a second time”.

A highly unique ruby ring that deserves all of the attention it has received is the Jubilee Ruby ring. This astonishing ruby ring features a 15.99 carat round Burmese ruby prong set into an unconventional 18K gold sculptural setting accented with diamonds. The incredible ring was crafted by Verdera and sold at auction in 2014 at Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale in New York City, where International Head of Jewelry, Rahul Kadakia, described the ruby as “a rarity in the world of coloured gemstones”. The attractive ring sold for a final price of $14.1 million, breaking the record for the most expensive coloured stone ever sold in the United States and drawing the attention of the American financial sector. Not only did this ruby ring break the record for highest price, it also holds the title of being the most expensive coloured stone sold at Christie’s in over two and a half centuries, having been sold at the time of Christie’s 250th anniversary. The Jubilee Ruby ring is a wonderful model for how ruby rings can utilize non-traditional settings, and is certainly one of the world’s most beautiful ruby rings.

Perhaps the most famous ruby ring in the world, and certainly the most valuable, is the ring that houses the fiery Sunrise Ruby, an otherworldly gem named after a poem written by 13th century poet Rumi. The massive 25.59 carat pigeon blood Burmese ruby was prong set into a platinum ring by Cartier, accented with two custom cut heptagonal fancy shaped diamonds. The stone was originally unearthed in the Mogok mining district of Burma, and has been described as “a unique treasure of nature” by the Swiss Gemmological Institute due to its ideal colour and clarity. The ring was sold at auction on May 12th, 2015 at the “Magnificent and Noble Jewels” sale held by Sotheby’s Geneva with a final price of $30.42 million, breaking the record for the most expensive ruby in the world, a title previously held by the Graff Ruby. The cost of this irreplaceable masterpiece was befitting of its beauty; David Bennet, global chairman of Sotheby's, said he had “never seen a ruby of this calibre” during the four decades that he has worked in the jewelry industry. One of the most marvellous ruby rings in the world, the Sunrise Ruby ring will never be forgotten, and will remain the king of ruby rings until the day that another stone is unearthed that may challenge its splendour.

These radiant rings are prime demonstrations of ruby’s elegance and majesty. Ruby is always a resplendent addition to any custom ring design and can serve to reflect the resplendence of its owner. The world has forever been enamoured with ruby rings and will never cease to be amazed by them.

Here are more of our favourite ruby rings from the Skyjems catalog:

© Yaĝé Enigmus