Complete Guide to the Rare and Often Record Breaking Pigeon Blood Ruby

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.

Buying and Selling a Pigeon Blood Ruby At Sotheby's

Sotheby's is here to assist with your pigeon blood ruby jewelry purchase or sale. We have a curated selection of pigeon blood ruby jewelry available on Marketplace for immediate shipping. A 2.5-carat Burmese pigeon blood ruby starts at around $30K per carat ring with no indications of heating. High Jewelry pigeon blood ruby creations start at $100,000. Sotheby's also sells pigeon blood ruby jewelry from top luxury brands including Harry Winston, Tiffany, Cartier, and more. In addition to the pigeon blood ruby jewelry listed on the marketplace or available at auction, Sotheby's can also source a pigeon blood ruby for a ring or other jewelry from its global supplier network.

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