# Sunrise Ruby

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25.59-carat ruby from Myanmar

The Sunrise Ruby

The **Sunrise Ruby**[1][2][3] has been the world's most expensive [ruby](/source/Ruby), most expensive coloured gemstone, and most expensive gemstone other than a diamond[2][3][4] until the discovery of the [Estrela de Fura](/source/Estrela_de_Fura).

Originally mined in [Myanmar](/source/Myanmar), its current name is derived from a poem of the same name, written by the 13th-century [Sufi](/source/Sufism) poet [Rumi](/source/Rumi).[5]

## Description

It is a 25.59-carat (5.1 g) Burmese "pigeon blood" ruby, mounted by [Cartier](/source/Cartier_(jeweler)) and set between heptagonal diamonds weighing 2.47 carats (0.49 g) and 2.70 carats (0.54 g).[4][6][7]

It is considered among the rarest of all gemstones.[6][4] The [Swiss Gemmological Institute](/source/Swiss_Gemmological_Institute) has described it as "a unique treasure of nature" and praised its "well-proportioned cut, highly attractive colour and fine purity".[5] The Gubelin Gem Lab in [Lucerne](/source/Lucerne) stated that "such a combination of characteristics is very rare in Burmese rubies of this size."[5] The global chairman of [Sotheby's](/source/Sotheby's) International Jewellery Division, David Bennett, when interviewed on the ruby, stated "during his 40 years in the industry, he has never before seen a ruby of this calibre".[5] In a Gubelin grading report, it notes, "ruby is of Burmese origin" and that "its vivid but saturated color, poetically referred to as pigeon blood red, is due to a combination of well balanced trace elements in the stone, typical and characteristic for the finest rubies of Mogok."[8] Gemstones of the same quality typically form in only small crystals, making this one an "extremely rare" gem.[8]

## History

The ruby sold for a record US$30.42 million on 12 May 2015 at a Sotheby's auction in [Geneva](/source/Geneva), Switzerland, to [Heidi Horten](/source/Heidi_Horten).[3][6] It was originally estimated to be worth between US$12 and 18 million prior to auction[1][9][10] and bidding started at 11 million [Swiss francs](/source/Swiss_franc) or US$11.8 million. Also known as lot 502 of the evening, bidding lasted approximately seven minutes with buyers via phone as the main source of bidding.[11] The Sunrise Ruby greatly surpassed the previous record holder, the [Graff](/source/Graff_Diamonds) ruby ring, which sold for US$8.6 million in November 2014.[4][12] Its record-setting price has been attributed to the rapid increase in prices for coloured gemstones and public auctions, with figures often "rivaling the performance of the much-sought-after colored diamonds".[13]

Following the death of Horten, the jewel was auctioned by [Christie's](/source/Christie's) in Geneva on 10 May 2023 for $14.7 million.[14]

## See also

- [List of rubies by size](/source/List_of_rubies_by_size)

- [Black Prince's Ruby](/source/Black_Prince's_Ruby)

- [DeLong Star Ruby](/source/DeLong_Star_Ruby)

- [Liberty Bell Ruby](/source/Liberty_Bell_Ruby)

- [Neelanjali Ruby](/source/Neelanjali_Ruby)

- [Prince of Burma](/source/Prince_of_Burma)

- [Rosser Reeves Ruby](/source/Rosser_Reeves_Ruby)

- [Timur Ruby](/source/Timur_Ruby)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NYT_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NYT_1-1) Ginanne Brownell Mitic (13 May 2015). ["At Jewelry Auctions, Color Is King"](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/14/fashion/at-jewelry-auctions-color-is-king.html?_r=0). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150519034215/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/14/fashion/at-jewelry-auctions-color-is-king.html?_r=0) from the original on 19 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-REU_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-REU_2-1) ["Ruby sets record, pink diamond and pearls shine at Sotheby's sale"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-art-auction-jewels-idUSKBN0NX2GW20150512). *[Reuters](/source/Reuters)*. 13 May 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160311133222/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-art-auction-jewels-idUSKBN0NX2GW20150512) from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BBC_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BBC_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BBC_3-2) ["World's most expensive coloured gem sells for $30m"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-32717029). *[BBC News Online](/source/BBC_News_Online)*. 13 May 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150513063509/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32717029) from the original on 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TAS_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TAS_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TAS_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-TAS_4-3) ["Burmese ruby sells for record $US30 million"](http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/burmese-ruby-sells-for-record-us30-million/story-fnt97o9z-1227353577570). *[The Australian](/source/The_Australian)*. 13 May 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TJE_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TJE_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TJE_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-TJE_5-3) Åse Anderson (12 May 2015). ["Most expensive ruby world record could be broken at Sotheby's Geneva this May"](http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/2015/04/most-expensive-ruby-record-could-be-broken-sothebys-geneva/). *The Jewellery Editor*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092801/http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/2015/04/most-expensive-ruby-record-could-be-broken-sothebys-geneva/) from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Harpersbazaar_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Harpersbazaar_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Harpersbazaar_6-2) O'Connor, Tamison (13 May 2015). ["Sotheby's Geneva sale breaks auction world records"](http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/fashion/jewellery-watches/sothebys-geneva-sale-breaks-auction-world-records). *[Harper's Bazaar](/source/Harper's_Bazaar)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150919090145/http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/fashion/jewellery-watches/sothebys-geneva-sale-breaks-auction-world-records) from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TAP_7-0)** ["Platinum ring with rare Burmese ruby sells for $30.3 million at auction"](https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2015/05/13/rare-burmese-ruby-sells-for-303-million-at-auction). *US News*. The Associated Press. 13 May 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150521105724/http://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2015/05/13/rare-burmese-ruby-sells-for-303-million-at-auction) from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TJB_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TJB_8-1) ["'Sunrise Ruby' Poised to Break Price Record at Sotheby's Geneva; Gem Should Fetch $12M to $18M"](http://nelsenjewelry.thejewelerblog.com/_sunrise_ruby__poised_to_break_price_record_at_sotheby_s_geneva__gem_should_fetch__12m_to__18m.html). *thejewelerblog.com*. 14 April 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150521164031/http://nelsenjewelry.thejewelerblog.com/_sunrise_ruby__poised_to_break_price_record_at_sotheby_s_geneva__gem_should_fetch__12m_to__18m.html) from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Corinne Gretler (13 May 2015). ["Cartier Ruby Sets Record in $161 Million Sotheby's Jewelry Sale"](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-13/cartier-ruby-sets-record-in-161-million-sotheby-s-jewelry-sale). *[Bloomberg Business](/source/Bloomberg_Business)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150517085641/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-13/cartier-ruby-sets-record-in-161-million-sotheby-s-jewelry-sale) from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-horten_10-0)** Neate, Rupert (22 April 2023). ["World's most valuable private jewellery collection goes on display in London"](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/apr/22/heidi-horten-world-most-valuable-private-jewellery-collection-display-london-christies-geneva). *The Guardian*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230422071719/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/apr/22/heidi-horten-world-most-valuable-private-jewellery-collection-display-london-christies-geneva) from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["'Sunrise Ruby' Obliterates Two Records at Sotheby's Geneva With a Hammer Price of $30.4 Million"](http://murpheythejeweler.thejewelerblog.com/_sunrise_ruby__obliterates_two_records_at_sotheby_s_geneva_with_a_hammer_price_of__30_4_million.html). *thejewelerblog.com*. 13 May 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150520053317/http://murpheythejeweler.thejewelerblog.com/_sunrise_ruby__obliterates_two_records_at_sotheby_s_geneva_with_a_hammer_price_of__30_4_million.html) from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Sananda Sahoo (13 May 2015). ["$30m Sunrise Ruby steals the show for Sotheby's"](https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/30m-sunrise-ruby-steals-the-show-for-sotheby-s-1.122704). *[The National](/source/The_National_(Abu_Dhabi))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150518084942/http://www.thenational.ae/business/the-life/30m-sunrise-ruby-steals-the-show-for-sothebys) from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Lareef Samad (12 May 2015). ["Sunrise Ruby Outperforms Diamond Lots at Sotheby's Geneva May 12, 2015, Jewelry Auctions"](https://news.internetstones.com/sunrise-ruby-outperforms-diamond-lots-at-sothebys-geneva-may-12-2015-auctions). *Newsinternetstones.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150819141222/https://news.internetstones.com/sunrise-ruby-outperforms-diamond-lots-at-sothebys-geneva-may-12-2015-auctions) from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [\[1\]](https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6425718?ldp_breadcrumb=back&intObjectID=6425718&from=salessummary&lid=1) Christie's, The Sunrise Ruby, sensational Cartier ruby and diamond ring

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sunrise Ruby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunrise_Ruby) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunrise_Ruby?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.