Throughout history, colored gemstones have captivated collectors, investors, and jewelry enthusiasts alike. While diamonds often steal the spotlight, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds have also commanded staggering prices at auctions worldwide. From the legendary Kashmir sapphires to the most vivid pigeon blood rubies, these extraordinary gemstones have broken records, redefining the standards of rarity and value. In this article, we take a closer look at six of the most expensive colored gemstones ever sold at auction, each with its own remarkable story.
6. The Richelieu Sapphires
- Weight: 26.66 and 20.88 Carats
- Color: Strong Medium Blue (SSRF)
- Mine: Kashmir, India
- Sale: Sotheby’s, Geneva, 13th November 2013
Price: USD $8.3 Million
Two color-matching Kashmir sapphires exceeding 20 carats combined, with exceptional saturation and clarity, are nearly impossible to find. The extinction of Kashmir sapphire mines highlights the rarity of The Richelieu Sapphires.
5. The Aga Khan Emerald
- Weight: 37.00 Carats
- Color: Bluish Green
- Mine: Muzo, Colombia
- Sale: Christie’s, Geneva, 12th November 2024
Price: USD $8.8 Million
The Aga Khan Emerald Brooch, remarkable for its clarity and colour, was a gift from Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan to his wife Nina Dyer. Currently, it resides with Van Cleef & Arpels.
4. The Blue Belle of Asia
- Weight: 392.52 Carats
- Color: Cornflower Blue
- Mine: Ratnapura, Sri Lanka
- Sale: Christie’s, Geneva, 11th November 2014
Price: USD $17.5 Million
The Blue Belle of Asia is the fourth-largest faceted sapphire in the world, admired for its extraordinary clarity and vibrant cornflower blue color.
3. The Crimson Flame Ruby
- Weight: 15.04 Carats
- Color: Pigeon Blood
- Mine: Mogok, Myanmar
- Sale: Christie’s, Hong Kong, 1st December 2015
Price: USD $18.3 Million
The Crimson Flame Ruby is regarded as one of the finest rubies ever auctioned. With its exceptional pigeon blood color, it holds the record for the highest price per carat ($1.2 million) for any ruby or coloured gemstone (excluding diamonds) to date.
2. The Sunrise Ruby
- Weight: 25.59 Carats
- Color: Pigeon Blood
- Mine: Mogok, Myanmar
- Sale: Sotheby’s, Geneva, 12th May 2015
Price: USD $30.4 Million
Named after Rumi’s poem “The Sunrise Ruby,” this gemstone was the most expensive ruby and coloured gemstone (excluding diamonds) in the world at the time of sale.
1. The Estrela de Fura
- Weight: 55.22 Carats
- Color: Pigeon Blood (Bellerophon and GRS)
- Mine: Montepuez, Mozambique
- Sale: Sotheby’s, New York, 12th May 2015
Price: USD $34.8 Million
The Estrela de Fura is the first ruby to exceed $30 million and the first non-Burmese ruby to rank among the world’s most expensive gemstones. Its exceptional quality has redefined ruby standards in the auction world.
