Rich and fiery in color, alluring and seductive in depth, the ruby has long reigned supreme in the world of colored gems. In ancient Sanskrit, the ruby is called 'Ratnaraj' or 'King of Precious Stones.’ The storied gem was worn by warriors for protection and by royalty to demonstrate wealth. Rubies were also believed to have healing properties and wearing them close to the skin was thought to bring good luck to the wearer.

The prestige and beauty of rubies continue to inspire admiration to the present day. In the 20th century, they were prized acquisitions of great collectors like Mona Bismarck, the Duchess of Windsor and Elizabeth Taylor and have long graced the designs of iconic houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari and Winston. In recent years, collectors and luxury houses alike have begun looking beyond the more traditional sources of rubies, such as Burma and Thailand, to embrace the extraordinary crystals now being found in Africa, most notably in Mozambique.

In 2017, FURA Gems began its journey in Mozambique and today holds nine ruby mining licenses in the country. Deeply committed to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, FURA is the fastest growing colored gemstone mining company in the world, with sister emerald and sapphire mines in Colombia and Australia. In July of 2022, FURA miners in Montepuez discovered something they never had expected to find – a remarkably transparent, stunningly vivid rough ruby weighing a staggering 101 carats that was dubbed ‘Estrela de FURA,’ or Star of FURA in Portuguese. Unveiled in Dubai in September 2022, the Estrela de FURA quickly garnered the attention of the world as the largest gem-quality ruby ever discovered.

In January 2023, FURA enlisted a group of top advisors from around the world, including experts from French gem company Garaude and a team of 3D engineers from Bellerophon Gemlab, to evaluate cutting options. After a series of studies to determine optimal weight, shape and cutting orientation, the ruby was masterfully cut and polished into its current form in Bangkok by Master Gem Cutter Chirapat. The result of this international effort is an impressive 55.22-carat cushion-cut specimen, poised to become the most important and valuable ruby ever to come to market. Notable not only for its size, but also for its vivid red color and exceptional clarity, the Estrela de FURA: 55.22 is destined to join the ranks of the world’s most legendary rubies.

The Estrela de FURA also shines a spotlight on Mozambique as a source for top-quality rubies. FURA has invested heavily in infrastructure and in nearby communities to ensure that mining in Mozambique is done ethically and responsibly. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Estrela de FURA will be allocated toward setting up the FURA Training Academy, with the goal of promoting access to education and technical training in the fields of mining, engineering, carpentry and agriculture. Sotheby’s is pleased to partner with this forward-thinking company to bring the Estrela de FURA: 55.22 to market.