Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but when it comes to color, it’s July’s humble birthstone that’s out in front by a few million dollars. The Sunrise Ruby — a sparkling creation mounted by Cartier — is dominated by a stunning 25.6-carat pigeon’s-blood Burmese ruby and bordered on both sides by diamonds. The ring sold for a record $30.3 million last month at Sotheby’s in Geneva to a lucky anonymous bidder who is now the proud owner of the most expensive colored gemstone in the world.
What makes this ring so special is it’s sought-after hue that occurs entirely from nature. The Sunrise Ruby has not been treated to enhance its color in any way. Pigeon’s blood red is the highest quality of color classification for rubies, making it the most expensive and most highly regarded hue — hence the high cost of the Sunrise Ruby.
Initially, the value of this delicious ruby-and-diamond ring was estimated at about $16 million, according to Forbes. But its performance at auction shocked jewelry connoisseurs around the globe.
So if you’re a bride-to-be who enjoys the vivacious red ruby, but you’re hesitant to break that timeless diamond tradition — step into the light. The sale of the Sunrise Ruby just validated colored gemstones everywhere. And with the contemporary movement toward gemstone wedding bands, the ruby makes a bold and fitting choice of modern band.
Ruby is the official birthstone of those born in the sultry month of July, and while you may not be in the bidding for the Sunrise edition, we offer a vast and glorious collection of this pink-red gem to please even the most finicky of fans.
