The Most Famous Rubies

Rubies have been admired for centuries for their beauty and mystical charm, and hold a place in history for many cultures. Some of the most famous rubies have legacies far greater than that of their owners.

The Neelanjali Ruby

The Neelanjali Ruby is the largest double star ruby to have been mined in the world, boasting a 12 point asterism and weighing in at 1370 carats. This beauty is owned by G. Vidyaraj, a descendant of the Aravidu Dynasty who ruled the Vijayanagara Empire. The ruby resides in Bangalore, India, and is valued at $100 million. It was once used as a lingam by Hindus, worshipped as a symbol of Lord Shiva.

 The Liberty Bell Ruby

The Liberty Bell Ruby is the largest mined ruby in the world, and was thought to have been discovered in East Africa in the 1950's. This gemstone weights 8500 carats, and is adorned with 50 diamonds and carved into the shape of the liberty bell. It was created for the United States Bicentennial during Eisenhower's presidency and was valued at $2 million. During the 2011 jewellery heist in Delaware, the Liberty Bell Ruby was stoled from Stuart Kingston Jewellers and has never been recovered.

 The Sunrise Ruby

The Sunrise Ruby is the most expensive ruby in the world with a value of $30 million. It broke the world record for the most expensive coloured gemstone to be sold in an auction at Sotheby's Geneva. This gemstone originated in Burma and exhibits the signature pigeon-blood colour of a Burmese ruby. It weights 25.59 carats, and is prized for its superior clarity, vivid colour, cut and shape. 

It is no wonder that ruby, the "King of precious stones", has storied history and is now found in some of the world's leading museums, such as the Smithsonian and Louvre.