Dubai-based Fura Gems has unveiled what could be the world’s biggest gem-quality ruby.
The discovery of the 101-carat ruby named Estrela de Fura – Portuguese for ‘Star of Fura’ – was announced during the Dubai Diamond Exchange show, hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.
The ruby was unearthed from a mine in Mozambique and is considered an extremely rare find due to its fluorescence and vivid-red hue.
Dev Shetty, founder and CEO, Fura Gems said, “This discovery is an unprecedented occurrence and a moment of honour for us at Fura and for Mozambique.”
A handful of larger rubies exist in collections around the world, however, they are specimens or exhibition pieces with significant impurities, and aren’t considered gem-quality when compared with the Estrela de Fura.
“The Estrela de Fura ruby is likely to yield an intense, saturated red colour once fully and properly faceted with adequate proportions,” Daniel Nyfeler, managing director, Gübelin Gem Lab said.
“Compared to most rubies, including those from Burma, which tend to be fairly included when reaching sizes above 5 carats, this ruby is relatively free of eye-visible inclusions. Considering its very large size, the vivid-red color and clarity characteristics of this ruby give it an extraordinary potential to become one of the largest high-quality faceted rubies ever seen.”
The Estrela de Fura will be showcased in Dubai for a month before heading to private auction in October.
More reading
Ruby: the true red
All things bright and beautiful
Colour Investigation: Ruby
Burmese rubies: A brief stay in heaven
