The Largest Ruby Ever Found: Records & Surprising Facts

Ruby stone aka manik stone in Hindi has a fascinating history. Ruby signifies love, passion, prosperity. These red gemstones come in various sizes but come only in one color that is red. Know more about the largest ruby ever found. 

The Record-Breaking Largest Ruby Ever Found

The Estrela de FURA

This massive ruby was unearthed in Mozambique 2022. It weighs 101 carats and was auctioned for $34.8 million at Sotheby’s in 2023. This Manik stone has a beautiful pigeon blood red color which makes it an extraordinary gem. The high clarity and exceptional quality makes it the desirable gemstone for heirlooms. 

The Liberty Bell Ruby

The largest ever found ruby. It weighs 8,500 carats and was first discovered in East Africa. 

The Rajaratna Ruby is the largest ruby that weighs 495 g. It features a 6 rayed asterism. The size of the stone literally refers to the Manik gem which means Ratnaraj or “King of Gemstones”. 

Facts About Giant Rubies

• Bigger Doesn’t Always Mean Pricier

Larger rubies are rare. Higher the size, the higher the price. But this is not always true. The other 4C’s are important to be considered. Consider the color, clarity and cut of the stone. If these factors are well catered by the gemstone they qualify as the best quality manik stone. Pigeon blood color is the best ruby color. 

• Most Large Rubies Are Not Transparent

Rare gemstones with beautiful color and high clarity are not likely to be found. They may be opaque or translucent because of the inclusions. The rutile needles are common inclusions in rubies. Higher needle-like inclusions make the gemstone look opaque, preventing light from reflecting. This makes the stone look dull. 

• Myanmar (Burma) Produces the Best Rubies

If you are talking about the best Manik stone in the world there is nothing better than Burma rubies. Mogok valley is the most popular place where you can get quality Manik stone. 

Where to buy ruby gemstone and How?

Buy original ruby online is not as simple as it may seem. It requires proper and careful consideration to detail to get value out of your investment.

1. Color is King

The unrivaled most valuable rubies are those that have a deep, vivid red hue, particularly those that are named “pigeon blood red” which is mainly contained in rubies from Burma which greatly enhance the richness with a slight bluish undertone.

2. Clarity Matters

Rubies are remarkable as they have inclusions but the overall price increases as the number of flaws decreases. Rubies with inclusions that do not impact brilliance or transparency are sophisticated and therefore, are considered fine quality rubies.

3. Cut and Shape

A well cut ruby maximizes and enhances its natural beauty and is able to retain the most carat weight whilst showcasing the stone’s color. The most common and best valued cuts include oval, cushion, and round as they are easy to display.

4. Carat Weight

Although larger rubies are rare and exponentially expensive, a smaller, high quality stone is far more valuable than a larger flawed one. Always consider the balance between size and quality whenever a rubie is purchased.

Origin and Certification

Rubies from Burma, Mozambique, and Ceylon have always been known for their brilliance. There is always a need to ask for certification from an authenticated gemstone lab like GIA or the IGI.

Avoid Heat-Treated or Synthetic Rubies

There are many rubies in the market that are blended with treated heat for aesthetic purposes. While rubies that underwent such processes are more available, unblemished rubies are more precious. Be careful with synthetic rubies. They are stunningly beautiful but lack the peculiarity and value of authentic stones.

Buy from a Trusted Dealer

To avoid buying fake gemstones, ensure the jeweler from whom you buy rubies is reputable, certified, and discloses the source of the rubies purchased but provided the dealers, rubies provided transparent certificates.