Throughout history, gemstones have captivated humanity with their exquisite allure. Among these precious treasures, a select few stand out for their extraordinary colors and extreme scarcity. The Sunrise Ruby is a prime example of nature's exceptional artistry, unmatched in its beauty when compared to the highest standards of rubies and other gems.
Unveiling the Rarity of Natural Ruby Gems
When discussing the rarity of precious stones, it's essential to focus on gem-quality specimens. Ruby, belonging to the corundum mineral family alongside renowned colored sapphires, is itself a rare find. However, rubies are even scarcer than other corundum variations, a notable feat considering the rarity of blue sapphires. A ruby with a natural, vibrant red hue is already a rarity. Should this ruby also possess good clarity and a substantial size, it ascends to the ranks of history's most remarkable gemstones.
The Sunrise Ruby: A Gem Beyond Compare
Consider the following statistics: the stunning Sunrise Ruby boasts a flawless pigeon blood red color, impeccable eye-clean clarity, and a substantial weight of 25.59 carats. Any of these attributes individually would elevate it to the status of a remarkable stone, but this gem embodies all three.
The combination of pigeon blood red color and impeccable clarity is one that historically compelled kings to trade entire cities for such rubies. Tales of Mughal emperor Jahangir and Mongol King Kublai Khan exchanging cities for exquisite rubies weave a captivating narrative into ruby lore.
Procuring a high-quality ruby above 5 carats is a challenging endeavor, but the Sunrise Ruby surpasses expectations with its impressive 25.59 carats of pure quality and clarity. Those familiar with gemstones recognize that such a specimen is exceedingly rare, and another ruby of equal or greater beauty may never surface again. Through the Sunrise Ruby, the world glimpses perfection at its closest.
David Benett, a renowned gemstone and jewelry authority, expressed, "During his 40 years in the industry, he has never before seen a ruby of this calibre" when speaking of the Sunrise Ruby. This statement from someone dubbed the "100-carat man," who has encountered and handled history's finest gemstones, underscores the Sunrise Ruby's exceptional status—an anomaly that defies the natural law of "perfection cannot exist."
The Gubelin gem report appendix described the Sunrise Ruby as follows: "The 25.59 ct ruby... possesses a combination of outstanding characteristics. It presents a uniform and deeply saturated hue of 'pigeon blood red,' which embodies the pinnacle of excellence within this gem category. The depth of colour, combined with high clarity and brilliance, all contribute to the gem's beauty. The form and precisely balanced cut offer vibrant internal color reflections. Furthermore, this exceptional gemstone has not undergone any thermal treatment.”
The History of the Sunrise Ruby
The original Sunrise Ruby was mined from Myanmar's renowned Mongok mines, a historical hub for producing the finest rubies coveted for their extraordinary color and clarity. Gubelin eventually acquired the rough gemstone, which was then cut and polished—a process whose details remain undisclosed. Subsequently, the nearly flawless gemstone was auctioned at Sotheby's Geneva in 2015.
Estrela de Fura's title as the "most expensive ruby" cost just $4.5 million more than the Sunrise Ruby, despite being almost 30 carats larger.
The Astrological Significance of the Sunrise Ruby
Natural, untreated rubies are considered potent astrological tools. Known as the "King of all Gemstones," the ruby's Sanskrit epithet "Ratnaraja" designates it as the primary gemstone for the Sun God in Vedic Astrology. The ruby symbolizes the Sun's fiery energy, carrying intense passion and vitality that can amplify the flow of life energy. Wearing a ruby activates the Sun's significations, bestowing good health, fame, authority, protection, dynamism, and a dignified persona.
A ruby of excellent quality is believed to possess numerous virtues, and the Sunrise Ruby undoubtedly embodies these benefits. However, its 25.59-carat size may unleash excessive solar energy, as a 3-5 carat ruby is deemed astrologically sufficient to yield observable benefits.
The name "Sunrise Ruby" befits this once-in-a-lifetime gemstone, suffused with beauty and romance. Such gems of Sunrise Ruby's caliber are exceptionally rare, and many gem enthusiasts may never encounter one in their lifetimes. While nature could potentially produce more gems of similar magnificence, such finds occur perhaps only once in centuries. The Sunrise Ruby's legend will undoubtedly grow over time, solidifying its unparalleled place among rubies.