Exploring the Burmese Ruby: A Detailed Collector's Guide
Learn more about the rich history and exceptional quality of the Burmese ruby
The Geological Origins & Political History of the Burmese Ruby
The Burmese ruby is among the highest quality rubies in the world. Rubies were discovered over 2,000 years ago and are one of the rarest gemstones in today's global market. The Burmese ruby comes from Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar formerly known as Burma. This remote area produces 90% of the rubies worldwide, it is commonly referred to as the “valley of rubies”. The history of Burmese rubies is directly tied to the complex political history of Myanmar. Until the 19th century, only the Burmese people could access the mines. At the end of the 19th century, Britain annexed upper Burma and took control of the ruby mines. Due to recent political issues, ruby trade to the United States was banned until 2016. Today, the source of rubies in Burmese mines is completely depleted. Since the 1990s, Mong Hsu has become the new main source of Burmese rubies. The rarity of a true Burmese ruby makes the precious gemstone highly desirable by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Burmese Ruby Key Takeaways
| Origin | Mined in Mogok Valley, Myanmar; historic "Valley of Rubies"; Mong Hsu is current main source |
| Color | Finest rubies display "Pigeon Blood Red," a pure, vivid red with strong fluorescence |
| Cut and Size | Cushion and oval most common; stones over 5 carats considered exceptional |
| Treatment | Many rubies are heat-treated; unheated Burmese rubies command the highest value |
| Certification | GIA and SSEF confirm origin, treatment, and unheated status |
| Price Range | Can exceed $1M+ for top unheated Pigeon Blood rubies; auction records above $30M |
| Collector Appeal | Revered for rarity, color, and provenance; long association with royalty and record-breaking sales |
Fascination of the Burmese Ruby
Rubies have been admired for thousands of years. In ancient Sanskrit, the ruby is called 'Ratnaraj' or 'King of Precious Stones'. This gemstone was worn by ancient warriors for protection, and royalty to symbolize their majesty. The ruby retained its importance and became a popular stone with European royalty frequently used in coronation creations. Many medieval Europeans wore rubies to guarantee health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love. The Burmese Ruby remains valuable today with collectors due to their rarity, distinct red color, and historical provenance as the gemstones of emperors and kings. The Burmese Ruby is especially popular with Asian collectors since red symbolizes good fortune, joy, and happiness.
That historic prestige continues to echo in the auction market. This Ruby and Diamond Necklace/Tiara featuring 78.60 carats of Burmese rubies sold for 4,064,000 HKD in September 2025. Designed as a fringe of oval and cushion-shaped rubies with diamond drops, the jewel was accompanied by a report noting several stones could be classified as “pigeon blood red.” The piece, convertible into a tiara, reflects both the cultural symbolism and enduring allure of Burmese rubies. The Burmese Ruby remains valuable today with collectors due to their rarity, distinct red color, and historical provenance as the gemstones of emperors and kings.
Pigeon Blood Ruby
The finest Burmese rubies have the deepest red color, called “pigeon blood red”. This color is described as a purple-red or dark pink-red. This pure and intense hue comes from the levels of chromium present in the gemstone. The more chromium a ruby has, the more intense the red hue is. The term “pigeon blood” originated from Burmese folklore. According to the ancient legend, the name refers to the first two drops of blood from a killed pigeon. The color of the blood is the same as what is considered a genuine ruby red. Other legends claim the name refers to the red-color of the center of a pigeon's eye.
It is important to look for unheated rubies when looking for a Burmese ruby. It is common practice to heat gems to deepen their color and enhance their brilliance, however, this lowers the value of the gem and takes away from the natural beauty. The valued and highest priced Burmese ruby is unheated and natural. This 6.19-carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring, accompanied by no-heating certificates from SSEF and Gübelin, sold for 2,540,000 HKD in September 2025. Its medium purplish-red color and strong saturation reflect exactly the type of quality collectors seek when chasing pigeon blood rubies.
4 C’s of the Burmese Ruby
Cut - The most popular cuts for the Burmese ruby is cushion cut or oval. These are common shapes that enhance the brilliance and reduce waste when cutting the gemstone. Mixed cut is a hybrid between a brilliant cut and a step cut. This shape is also highly desirable in a Burmese ruby because the sparkle is heightened by the brilliant cut and pavilion step cut brings out the color of the ruby.
Color - Color is the most important factor when looking for a Burmese ruby. "Pigeon's Blood" rubies are considered to be the rarest and most valuable due to their deep red color, transparency and few inclusions. Pigeon blood red is described as purple-red or dark pink-red.
Clarity - The Burmese ruby stands out for exhibiting the highest clarity of all ruby types. While most rubies have some inclusions or internal flaws due to the natural formation process, a Burmese ruby will have very thin mineral inclusions overall. Often these inclusions will appear like long thin needles. These long inclusions are called “silk” in a Burmese ruby. Silk inclusions are typical and can enhance a gem's appearance adding a soft glow to the stone. We suggest looking for a Burmese ruby with VS1-VS2 clarity.
Carat - One of the most important considerations when choosing a Burmese ruby is the carat. In ruby gemstones, the carat weight is retained at the bottom of the ruby. Because of this, the gemstone will have a smaller millimeter when face up. This means that a ruby will appear smaller than a diamond of the same carat. We suggest starting with 3-carat when looking for the perfect Burmese ruby. A natural Burmese ruby above 5-carats is considered an exceptional ruby. This 8.80-carat Burmese ruby ring set with marquise and pear-shaped diamonds sold for 952,500 HKD in September 2025, underscoring the premium collectors place on larger stones even when moderate inclusions are present.
Burmese Ruby Price at Auction
A Burmese ruby is highly sought after at auction. A pigeon blood burmese ruby can sell higher than a similar carat weight diamond depending on the size and quality. One of the most expensive Burmese rubies sold at Sotheby's auction is the Sunrise Ruby. The Sunrise Ruby was made by Cartier and sold for 28.25 million CHF in 2015, approximately $32 million. The cushion cut Burmese ruby weighs 25.59 carats and is unheated. Another standout Burmese ruby sale was a 24.70-carat pigeon blood ruby and diamond ring which sold for 86 million HKD in 2018, approximately $11 million. The pigeon blood ruby is surrounded by 16 pear-shaped diamonds that are between 1.73-1.07 carats that are all D color and flawless to internally flawless. These record-breaking Burmese ruby sales demonstrate the fascination and value of unheated pigeon blood rubies.
Buy and Sell Burmese Rubies with Sotheby’s
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the world of colored gemstones, Sotheby’s offers a trusted, seamless way to buy and sell Burmese ruby jewelry on the secondary market.
Why Choose Sotheby’s?
- Expertly Vetted Selection
Explore rare and iconic Burmese ruby jewelry, from elegant ruby and gold rings starting around $5,000 to highly coveted pieces featuring exceptional, untreated rubies commanding significantly higher prices. - Exclusive Global Access
Shop ruby jewelry through auctions and Buy Now marketplace, backed by a worldwide network of collectors, consignors, and trusted suppliers. - Flexible Ways to Buy
Purchase online or in person at our locations in New York, London, Paris, and Hong Kong—or work with a dedicated jewelry concierge for tailored assistance. - Exceptional Value
Every piece of Burmese ruby jewelry is authenticated and priced by Sotheby’s specialists to reflect true market value. - Constantly Evolving Inventory
Discover vintage and modern ruby rings, necklaces, and bracelets across all price points, with new pieces added regularly.
Ready to Get Started?
- Explore Sotheby's upcoming jewelry auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong
- Shop Sotheby's Buy Now jewelry for instant access to available inventory
- Speak with a Sotheby's jewelry specialist to consign or request a valuation for a Burmese ruby
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