The Five Most Expensive Ruby Earrings
The most expensive ruby earrings pair remarkable Burmese stones with exceptional size, pigeon blood color and designs by renowned jewelry houses.
One important ruby can be difficult to find. Finding two that belong together is another challenge entirely. Ruby earrings depend on the relationship between a pair of stones, with color, scale and visual character considered across both gems. At the highest level, even subtle differences can determine how successfully a pair comes together.
This makes exceptional ruby earrings especially difficult to assemble. Size and color can influence value, while the quality of the match adds another consideration unique to a pair. The five examples below offer a closer look at the most expensive ruby earrings sold at auction since 2021 and the qualities behind their results.
Key Takeaways: The Most Expensive Ruby Earrings
| Ruby Earrings | Notable Features | Price (USD) |
|---|
| Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earrings, Tops by Harry Winston | 20.19 and 18.68 carats, Burmese origin, unheated | $2.0M |
| Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earrings | 5.20 and 5.08 carats, Burmese origin, unheated, pigeon blood | $1.6M |
| Ruby and Diamond Earclips | 6.58 and 6.02 carats, Burmese origin, unheated | $1.0M |
| Bulgari Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earrings | 5.24 and 5.05 carats, Burmese origin, unheated, pigeon blood | $871K |
| Boucheron Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earclips | 3.98 and 3.26 carats, Burmese origin, unheated, pigeon blood, circa 1960 | $748K |
1. Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earrings, Tops by Harry Winston, 20.19 and 18.68 Carats, $2.0M
This pair of ruby and diamond pendent earrings sold for 15.6M HKD in April 2023. The two oval Burmese rubies weigh 20.19 and 18.68 carats and show no indications of heating, an important distinction for stones of this size. Each ruby is surrounded by oval and pear-shaped diamonds and suspended from a detachable diamond cluster top signed Harry Winston.
The rubies were examined by SSEF, Gübelin and AGL, with all three laboratories identifying Burmese origin and no heat treatment. AGL further classified the material as Classic™ Burma and identified the stones as Mogok rubies. Their scale is central to the pair: finding two untreated Burmese rubies approaching 20 carats that can be brought together in a single jewel makes these earrings an exceptional example of matched ruby jewelry.
2. Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earrings, 5.20 and 5.08 Carats, $1.6M
This pair of ruby and diamond pendent earrings sold for 12.8M HKD in September 2026. Two pear-shaped Burmese rubies weighing 5.20 and 5.08 carats are suspended alongside rose-cut diamonds, creating a design that places the matched gemstones at the center of the earrings.
SSEF identified both rubies as Burmese, with no indications of heating and pigeon blood red color, findings supported by earlier Gübelin reports confirming Burmese origin and no heat treatment. Their closely matched weights are significant: assembling two rubies above five carats with comparable color and quality becomes increasingly difficult as the size of the stones increases.
3. Ruby and Diamond Earclips, 6.58 and 6.02 Carats, $1.0M
This pair of ruby and diamond earclips sold for $1M USD in December 2021. The design centers on two oval Burmese rubies weighing 6.58 and 6.02 carats, each framed by pear-shaped diamonds. The diamond surrounds emphasize the scale and shape of the rubies while keeping the focus on the matched center stones.
AGL reports for each ruby confirmed Burmese origin with no indications of heating. At more than six carats apiece, the rubies combine significant individual size with the additional challenge of forming a visually balanced pair, helping distinguish the earclips among important ruby jewels sold at auction.
4. Bulgari Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earrings, 5.24 and 5.05 Carats, $871K
This pair of Bulgari ruby and diamond pendent earrings sold for 6.8M HKD in April 2021. Each earring suspends a cushion-shaped Burmese ruby, weighing 5.24 and 5.05 carats, accented by pear-shaped, marquise-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds. The tops are signed Bulgari, with the settings combining platinum with 18-karat white and yellow gold.
AGL identified both rubies as Burmese with no gemological evidence of heat and described their color as pigeon blood. Its accompanying JewelFolio also noted how closely the two stones correspond in color, clarity and size. Gübelin separately confirmed Burmese origin and no indications of heating, reinforcing the gemological qualities behind this closely matched pair.
5. Boucheron Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earclips, 3.98 and 3.26 Carats, $748K
This pair of Boucheron ruby and diamond pendent earclips sold for 614K CHF in May 2026. Dating to circa 1960, each earring centers an oval ruby weighing 3.98 and 3.26 carats, framed by tapered baguette diamonds. Circular-cut rubies appear in the surmounts, which are further accented by marquise-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds.
SSEF identified the two principal rubies as Burmese, with no indications of heating and pigeon blood color. Signed Boucheron Paris and bearing the maker’s mark for Jean Bondt, the earclips bring the quality of the matched center stones together with a documented mid-century Boucheron design.
The Rarity of Exceptional Ruby Earrings
The highest auction results for ruby earrings reflect more than the quality of two individual gemstones. Matching becomes increasingly difficult as size and quality rise, since both rubies must work together while retaining the characteristics expected of an important stone. Across these five pairs, Burmese origin and the absence of heat treatment appear consistently, while pigeon blood color distinguishes several of the examples.
The results also show that there is no single formula behind an important pair. Some stand apart for extraordinary carat weight, while others combine notable rubies with signed settings or period design. What connects them is the difficulty of bringing two high-quality stones together successfully, a challenge that makes exceptional ruby earrings distinct within the market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ruby Earrings
What are the most expensive ruby earrings ever sold?
The most expensive ruby earrings on this list are the Ruby and Diamond Pendent Earrings with tops by Harry Winston. Set with 20.19- and 18.68-carat Burmese rubies, the pair sold for 15.6M HKD, approximately $2.0 million, in April 2023.
Why are matched ruby earrings difficult to find?
A pair requires two rubies that correspond closely in color, size and overall appearance. Finding that degree of compatibility becomes more difficult as carat weight and gemological quality increase.
What does pigeon blood mean for ruby earrings?
Pigeon blood is a gemological trade term applied to certain rubies with a specific red color meeting a laboratory’s criteria. Standards can vary between laboratories, so the designation should be considered alongside the individual laboratory report rather than treated as a universal color grade.
Are unheated rubies more valuable in earrings?
Lack of heat treatment can contribute to the value of a fine ruby, but it is not the only consideration. Color, size, transparency, origin and the quality of the match between the two stones can also influence the value of ruby earrings.
Why is Burmese origin important for ruby earrings?
Myanmar, historically known as Burma, has produced many important rubies, including material from the Mogok region. Burmese origin can influence market interest when accompanied by strong color and overall gem quality, but origin alone does not determine the quality or value of a pair.
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