Out-dazzling the most magnificent real-life blooms, this ruby and diamond floral ring, which features a cushion-shape ruby center and diamond petals, fetched $1.6 million at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale April 3 in Hong Kong, narrowly topping its $1.5 million high estimate. The ruby is of Burmese origin and has been twice certified “pigeon’s blood red” in color, the purest possible red in rubies. “The piece is simply magnificent,” says colored gemstone expert/dealer Jack Abraham. “The term pigeon’s blood red has been so overused recently, even when the red is just not there. This ruby has great clarity and brilliancy, and the mounting is beautiful. It’s very rare to see diamonds bordered with rubies like that.” And because of the embargo on Burmese rubies in the United States, “Burmese rubies are more in demand than ever,” Abraham adds. No surprise that this stunner rounded up a bouquet of serious bidders.
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