The sale set a world record per-carat price for a ruby

The Crimson Flame ruby, a 15 ct. pigeon’s-blood Burmese ruby, sold for $18 million at the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Hong Kong on Dec. 1.

The ruby was estimated at $10 million–$15 million.

“It’s the year of the ruby at Christie’s Hong Kong,” said Vickie Sek, deputy chairman and director of Christie’s Asia jewelry department. “Following the record-breaking sale of a ruby necklace in June, the Crimson Flame has established a world auction record per carat of $1.2 million.”

The auction, which attracted 160 buyers from 16 countries, garnered $97 million.

JCK