Complete Guide to the Rare and Often Record Breaking Pigeon Blood Ruby
Learn why the Pigeon Blood Ruby stands apart, with its intense red color, remarkable clarity, and enduring appeal among collectors and gem lovers.
A pigeon blood ruby exhibits a vivid red color with slight blue hue, exceptional clarity and brilliance along with a fluorescent internal glow. Learn more about Pigeon blood ruby which makes up less than 1% of all rubies.
History of Pigeon Blood Ruby
The term “Pigeon Blood” was first used in 1829 to describe the finest rubies from the Mogok mines. Today rubies from other countries including Madagascar and Mozambique have produced pigeon blood rubies. Rubies have been mined around the world for over 2,000 years. The main ruby mining areas are Myanmar (Burma), Mozambique, and Ratnapua. Each location is known for producing rubies with a unique ruby red color. The mines most famous for producing rubies classified as a pigeon blood ruby are in Burma. The Burma mines are commonly called the “Valley of Rubies” and have produced some of the largest pigeon blood rubies in the world. There are many legends surrounding rubies and the powers they hold. The mystique, provenance, color and rarity are the main attractions for collectors being drawn to pigeon blood ruby creations.
Origins of the Pigeon Blood Ruby Name
The term “pigeon blood” originated in Burma where the locals would call the most vivid red rubies “ko-twe” which directly translates to “pigeon blood”. There are many Burmese legends about where these rich red rubies got their name. Some believe it comes from an ancient legend referencing the first two drops of a killed pigeon's blood to be “ko-twe” red. Others believe the name of the deep red is the same as the center of a pigeon's eye. While the name originated as a title for only Burmese rubies, other regions have produced rubies exhibiting the vivid-red pigeon blood color and appropriately these stones have also been classified as a pigeon blood ruby.
Pigeon Blood Ruby Mystique
The allure of pigeon blood ruby lies in the gem's unmatched beauty, rarity, and mystical attraction. The deep red color is associated with love, passion, and life. In ancient cultures, a pigeon blood ruby was known to have healing properties. These gems were believed to be capable of purifying blood and an antidote for poison. Today, the science of spectrum analysis supports the theory rubies have therapeutic powers. The rays of light transmitted from the stones are a mix of red light and blue-violet light. The combination of these lights is proven to stimulate mood and calm the nervous system.
Pigeon Blood Ruby Classification
In 1996, Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) introduced a color grading system to determine if a ruby is a true “pigeon blood”. This system created a market standard. Before the SSEF guidance, many rubies were named pigeon blood when they did not exhibit all pigeon blood qualities. The SSEF has become the world standard for determining a pigeon blood ruby and has helped the global gemstone market move away from the romanticization of low-quality gemstones. Before buying a pigeon blood ruby it is important to check if the ruby has been lab certified by a reputable specialist like SSEF. Gübelin is also one of the oldest and most prestigious gemological laboratories. It is known for its in-depth reports that often include detailed information about the ruby's internal characteristics, known as inclusions, which can help determine the stone's origin. Certificates from SSEF and Gübelin are highly valued for pigeon blood ruby.
- Color
- Color is the most important consideration when classifying a pigeon blood ruby. To qualify as a ruby, a gemstone must be at least 51% red. The amount of chromium present in a ruby is how much red the ruby will exhibit. This means there will be a mix of other colors present in the gemstone. Some possible colors are yellow, pink, blue, and purple. A pigeon blood ruby will have a deep purple preset within the gemstone. The amount of chromium within a pigeon blood ruby will be approx. 0.3-0.5 wt-% or higher of chromium. On the GRS color grading scale a pigeon blood ruby will fall in the “vivid red” category.
- Natural
- A true pigeon blood ruby, the gemstone must be unheated or treated. Unheated rubies are geologically very distinct and possess the natural essence of the stone. A natural pigeon blood ruby is extremely rare and goes for the highest price per carat.
- Origin
- Historically Burmese mines produced the most rubies that were classified as a pigeon blood ruby. This is because the geological location of the mines produces a deeper red color. However, in recent years, pigeon blood rubies have been sourced in Mozambique and Ratnapua.
- Certification - Each gemological laboratory has its way of listing the pigeon blood ruby color in their gemological reports. Certifications from SSEF and Gübelin are the most desirable in the market.
Pigeon Blood Ruby Pricing
In recent years, the per-carat price for a pigeon blood ruby within the global jewelry market has risen. Color is the top consideration when accessing a the value of a ruby. The price for a 2.5-carat Burmese pigeon blood ruby starts at around $30K per carat. For a 3.5-carat pigeon blood ruby, the price will start around $55K per carat. For a 5-carat pigeon blood ruby, the price will be around $320K per carat. All prices listed above are estimates for a pigeon blood ruby based on auction sales from 2023-24. The price will always vary depending on the clarity, cut, color, setting, and provenance.
Impressive Pigeon Blood Ruby Sales
The largest pigeon blood ruby ever found was sold at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in 2023. This pigeon blood ruby is named the “Estrela de FURA” and weighs 52.22 carats. This pigeon blood ruby is exceedingly rare, Sotheby's noted how it is one of the largest rubies from the Mozambique area ever found. The unmounted pigeon blood ruby sold for $35 million. It exhibited the highest clarity and perfect pigeon blood ruby color. Before the 2023 Estrela de FURA sale, Sotheby’s sold the Sunrise Ruby. This 25.59 carat pigeon blood ruby was found in Myanmar and sold in 2015 for $31 million.
Buying Exceptional Pigeon Blood Ruby Creations
One of the best ways to wear a pigeon blood ruby is a ring. Rings are the best way to display the vivid pigeon blood ruby, especially with surrounded by a diamond halo setting. If you are looking for an extra special high jewelry creation, a pigeon blood ruby surrounded by type IIa diamonds combines the best quality rubies and diamonds. Type IIa diamonds are the purest form of diamonds with no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. These diamonds are often colorless but can also be found in rare colors like pink, brown or blue. These are extremely rare and comprise less than 2% of all mined diamonds. Sotheby's sold a one-of-a-kind ring set with a Burmese pigeon blood ruby and type IIa diamonds. It sold for 86 million HKD, or approximately $11 million in 2018. Pigeon blood rubies make up the top four most expensive ruby rings sold at Sotheby's.
Buy and Sell Pigeon Blood Rubies with Sotheby’s
Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the world of fine jewelry, Sotheby’s offers a trusted, seamless way to buy and sell pigeon blood ruby jewelry on the secondary market.
Why Choose Sotheby’s?
- Expertly Vetted Selection
Explore rare and iconic gemstones, from a 2.5 carat Burmese pigeon blood ruby starting around $30,000 to High Jewelry pigeon blood ruby creations valued over $100,000. - Exclusive Global Access
Shop jewelry through auctions and Buy Now marketplace, backed by a worldwide network of collectors and consignors. - Flexible Ways to Buy
Purchase online or in person at our locations in New York, Paris, and Hong Kong—or work with a dedicated jewelry concierge. - Exceptional Value
Every piece of jewelry is authenticated and priced by Sotheby’s specialists to reflect true market value. - Constantly Evolving Inventory
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