The Crimson Flame: A Tale of Burmese Gems
In the heart of Hong Kong, beneath the glittering chandeliers of the Convention and Exhibition Centre, the air buzzed with anticipation on December 1, 2015. Collectors, jewelers, and gem enthusiasts from across the globe gathered at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, their eyes fixed on a single, radiant treasure: the Crimson Flame. This 15.04-carat Burmese ruby, a flawless embodiment of the coveted “pigeon’s blood” hue, was poised to make history. When the gavel fell, it sold for an astonishing HK$142 million—equivalent to US$18.3 million—setting a world auction record at $1.2 million per carat. The Crimson Flame wasn’t just a gem; it was a legend born from the fabled mines of Burma, a testament to the enduring allure of Burmese rubies.
The story of Burmese gems begins deep in the Mogok Valley, a misty, mountainous region in Myanmar often called the “Valley of Rubies.” For centuries, this land has yielded stones of unparalleled beauty, their rich red glow a symbol of power, passion, and protection. The Crimson Flame, hailing from this ancient source, was unheated—a rarity in a world where most rubies are enhanced to deepen their color. Its vivid crimson, untouched by human hands, seemed to pulse with the heartbeat of the earth itself. Vickie Sek, Christie’s Asia Jewellery Director, declared it “undoubtedly the most important pigeon’s blood ruby to come to auction in Asia,” and the bidders agreed, driving its price far beyond its $15 million estimate.
But the Crimson Flame was not alone in its glory. That same night, the “Mogok’s Fiery Red” suite by Fai Dee dazzled the crowd. A necklace of 32 cushion-shaped Burmese rubies, ranging from 5.05 to 1.04 carats, fetched $7.2 million, while a pair of ruby and diamond earrings sold for $3.1 million. Each stone carried the signature of Mogok: a deep, fluorescent red that seemed to ignite under the auction lights. These gems whispered tales of Burma’s past—of kings who once hoarded such treasures, forbidding all but the worthiest from possessing them.
Across the years and around the world, Christie’s auctions have showcased the mystique of Burmese gems time and again. In New York, on April 20, 2016, the Jubilee Ruby—a 15.99-carat marvel—sold for $14.16 million. Though it didn’t surpass the Crimson Flame’s per-carat record, its size and unheated purity made it the most significant ruby offered in the U.S. in over 25 years. The Mogok Valley’s magic shone through its saturated color, a natural fluorescence that made it glow as if lit from within.
Further back, in Hong Kong on November 27, 2012, a Burmese ruby necklace named “Red Scarlet” stole the spotlight. Designed by James W. Currens, its 26 graduated oval rubies, weighing between 5.38 and 1.27 carats, fetched $5.1 million. Paired with matching “Red Butterflies” earrings, the set embodied the timeless elegance of Burma’s finest. The sale defied the dominance of diamonds, proving that rubies—especially those from Mogok—held a prestige all their own.
The allure of these gems stretches beyond their beauty. In May 2023, “The Mythic Ruby,” a 16.05-carat unheated pigeon’s blood ruby, graced Christie’s Hong Kong stage once more. Estimated at HK$80-120 million (US$10-15 million), it epitomized the scarcity of such stones as Mogok’s mines dwindled. And on May 27, 2024, an 8.01-carat Burmese ruby ring from the same valley, certified unheated by Gübelin, SSEF, and AGL, sold for HK$49.985 million—roughly US$6.4 million—far exceeding its HK$14-25 million estimate. Posts on X buzzed with excitement, hailing it as a new chapter in the ruby’s saga.
Burmese gems are more than jewels; they are relics of a vanishing world. The Mogok mines, once responsible for 90% of the globe’s rubies, now yield fewer stones of significant size. Unheated rubies over 5 carats—like the 8.01-carat treasure of 2024—are geological miracles, their clarity and color a defiance of nature’s odds. Historically, only Burma’s sovereigns could claim such gems; today, they are battled over by the world’s elite, each auction a modern coronation.
From the Crimson Flame’s record-breaking reign to the Mythic Ruby’s quiet majesty, Christie’s has woven a tapestry of Burmese brilliance. These gems carry the weight of centuries—of warriors who wore them for protection, of royalty who saw them as emblems of divine favor. In every facet, they reflect a story of rarity, resilience, and reverence—a legacy that continues to burn bright, long after the auctioneer’s hammer falls.
the Crimson Flame and other high-value Burmese gems auctioned by Christie’s, along with details to help you search
- Find more…
- Christie’s Website: Visit www.christies.com and search for “Crimson Flame Ruby” or the auction “Magnificent Jewels Hong Kong December 2015.” The lot listing (Lot 2088) likely includes high-quality images, and Christie’s often releases press photos or videos for record-breaking sales.
- The Jewellery Editor: Check www.thejewelleryeditor.com for their article titled “Christie’s record-breaking sale of the Crimson Flame ruby” (published December 3, 2015). It may feature images from the auction.
- YouTube: Search for “Crimson Flame Ruby Christie’s” or “Christie’s Hong Kong 2015 Magnificent Jewels.” Christie’s official channel or jewelry-related channels might have auction highlights or promotional videos.
- Google Images: A search for “Crimson Flame Ruby Christie’s” will yield photos from auction catalogs, press releases, and articles.
Other High-Value Burmese Gems from Christie’s Auctions
Here are additional notable Burmese gems auctioned by Christie’s, with suggestions for finding visuals:
- Mogok’s Fiery Red Suite by Fai Dee (Hong Kong, December 1, 2015)
- Details: Sold alongside the Crimson Flame, this suite featured a necklace with 32 cushion-shaped Burmese rubies (5.05 to 1.04 carats, totaling ~60 carats) for $7.2 million, and matching earrings for $3.1 million. All were unheated, pigeon’s blood rubies from Mogok.
- Media Sources: Look on Christie’s website under the same auction (Lots 2086 and 2087). Search YouTube or Vimeo for “Mogok’s Fiery Red Christie’s” for potential footage. Fai Dee’s reputation might also lead to images on jewelry blogs or X posts from 2015.
- The Jubilee Ruby – 15.99 Carats (New York, April 20, 2016)
- Details: A 15.99-carat Burmese ruby, unheated and set in a Verdura gold and diamond ring, sold for $14.16 million. It was the largest significant ruby auctioned in the U.S. in over 25 years.
- Media Sources: Search Christie’s site for “Jubilee Ruby New York 2016” (Lot 162). Articles from Forbes or Daily Mail (March 23, 2016) may include photos. Google Images or X searches for “Jubilee Ruby Christie’s” should reveal catalog shots.
- Red Scarlet Necklace by James W. Currens (Hong Kong, November 27, 2012)
- Details: This necklace featured 26 graduated oval Burmese rubies (5.38 to 1.27 carats) and sold for $5.1 million, with matching “Red Butterflies” earrings.
- Media Sources: Check Christie’s archives for “Red Scarlet Hong Kong 2012.” Jewelry sites like The Diamond Loupe or X posts from that date might have images.
- The Mythic Ruby – 16.05 Carats (Hong Kong, May 2023)
- Details: A 16.05-carat unheated pigeon’s blood ruby, estimated at HK$80-120 million (US$10-15 million). Specific sale price isn’t widely publicized, but it reflects the rarity of large Mogok rubies.
- Media Sources: Search Christie’s for “Mythic Ruby Hong Kong 2023.” X posts from May 2023 with hashtags like #ChristiesJewels or #BurmeseRuby might include photos or clips.
- 8.01-Carat Burmese Ruby Ring (Hong Kong, May 27, 2024)
- Details: An oval-cut, unheated ruby with a pigeon’s blood red hue, sold for HK$49.985 million (US$6.4 million), exceeding its HK$14-25 million estimate. Certified by Gübelin, SSEF, and AGL.
- Media Sources: Look on Christie’s site for “8.01 carat Burmese Ruby Hong Kong 2024” (likely Lot 1812). Recent X posts or jewelry news from May 2024 might feature it.
How to Search Effectively
- Videos: On YouTube, use terms like “Christie’s Crimson Flame Ruby Auction,” “Burmese Ruby Christie’s Highlights,” or specific auction dates (e.g., “Christie’s Hong Kong December 2015”). Christie’s often uploads official recaps.
- Pictures: Google Images or Pinterest searches for “Crimson Flame Ruby,” “Jubilee Ruby,” or “Mogok’s Fiery Red” will pull from auction catalogs, press releases, and articles. Add “Christie’s” to refine results.
- X Posts: Search X for “Crimson Flame Christie’s” or “Burmese Ruby Auction” with date filters (e.g., December 2015, May 2024) to find user-uploaded images or links from collectors and jewelers.
These gems are celebrated for their rarity, unheated quality, and Mogok origin, making them stars of Christie’s auctions worldwide. Start with Christie’s official site for the most authoritative visuals, then expand to secondary sources like jewelry blogs, news outlets, and social media for a broader collection of media.
President Obama at Vendors Fair in Burma
A hotel employee models ruby earrings for President Barack Obama at a vendors fair at the Kempinski Hotel Nay Pyi Taw, Naypyitaw, Burma, Nov. 13, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The valley of Rubies is set to open after 10 years
Nestled amidst towering mountains and breathtaking landscapes, The Valley of Rubies, located 200 km north of Mandalay, is finally reopening its gates to the world after a 10-year hiatus. This secluded treasure trove, renowned for its pristine beauty and world-class ruby deposits, is a haven of natural wonder and cultural intrigue.
မြန်မာငွေကျပ်သိန်းပေါင်းတစ်သိန်းရှစ်သောင်းကျော်ကြမ်းခင်းဈေးတင်ထားတဲ့မြန်မာ့ကျောက်စိမ်းဖြတ်သား
Invitation to 54th Myanma Gems Emporium 2017 to be held from 2nd to 11th August 2017
MYANMAR RUBY, JADE, PEARL, SAPPHIRE, GEMS & JEWLLERY
မြန်မာ့ကျောက်မျက် အမေရိကန်နှင့် ဥရောမဈေးကွက် ပို့နိုင်တော့မည်
RFA:Former Myanmar Government Officials Accused in Myanmar Gems Fund Embezzlement Scandal
Members of a Myanmar gem association called on authorities on Thursday to investigate the disappearance of roughly U.S.$ 100 million from its funds, including U.S. $1.1 million allegedly taken by former President Thein Sein, said one of the group’s members.
Kyaw Kyaw Oo, an executive member of the Myanmar Gems and Jewelry Entrepreneurs Association, told reporters at a press conference in Yangon that the trade group’s members demanded that the new National League for Democracy (NLD) government take action against the previous administration for its role in the embezzlement scandal.
The fund, opened under the Ministry of Mines during former President Thein Sein’s government, contained about $104 million accumulated from fees paid by entrepreneurs who worked in the extraction industry, according to a Myanmar Times report.
Win Htein, director general of the Department of Mines and chairman of a tribunal investigating the matter, said the value of the fund has dwindled to less than $8 million, the report said.
“First we heard €7 million [U.S. $7.8 million] from the fund was given to the former president,” Kyaw Kyaw Oo said. “So we raised the issue with retired Colonel Win Htein, who is now presiding over an inquiry committee. He said that only €1 million [U.S. $1.1 million] was given to Thein Sein. It’s on a recording.”
Allegations rejected
Also on Thursday, former Minister of Mines Myint Aung, who was appointed by Thein Sein in September 2012, told a press conference in the administrative capital Naypyidaw that the allegations against the former president were false, and the missing money had been properly spent and accounted for.
“Now we can clear up everything,” he told reporters at the conference. “We didn’t have any corruption here. What we had done was decided by the [government’s] Central Executive Committee, not by a single individual, and it was carried out according to working protocol.”
The money collected from 52 million people was distributed to areas in various states and regions that needed development funds, Myint Aung said.
Of the U.S. $7.8 million in question, Thein Sein placed U.S. $1.1 million in the Ministry of Construction’s bank account, he said. The remainder, which was raised separately from businessmen, also remains in the bank.
Myint Aung said he will seek legal action against those who have accused former government ministers and Thein Sein of embezzling funds from the trade association, state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported.
Some current Central Executive Committee members and gem association members signed a petition urging Shwe Mann, the ousted former parliamentary speaker under the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), to take up the alleged corruption case in parliament’s Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission.
In February, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi appointed Shwe Mann, whom she considers an ally, to lead the legal advisory panel.
At a press conference addressing the complaint on May 30, Zaw Myint Pe, a member of the parliamentary commission, recommended that an independent body be created to investigate the matter, the Global New Light of Myanmar report said.
Politically motivated?
In the meantime, the complaint and embezzlement accusations have been submitted to President Htin Kyaw, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Special Investigation, Ministry of Mines, Mining and Resource Affairs Committee, and Myanmar’s upper house of parliament, theMyanmar Times report said.
Former information minister Ye Htut, who also served as Thein Sein’s spokesman while he was in office, told reporters at the Naypyidaw press briefing that the trade association’s accusations are politically motivated.
“This is a problem within the jewelry organization where many of the complainers are Central Executive Committee members,” he said.
The association should have first raised the issue of the missing funds at its own meetings, and then filed a complaint with the government if no satisfactory explanation came about, he said.
“The complaint should have gone to administrative authorities of the government led by President Htin Kyaw, the parliamentary committee which oversees mining, or the complaints and appeals committee,” Ye Htut said. “But instead, the [association] sent the complaint to parliament’s special commission led by many ousted USDP leaders.”
Gems lab angles for global recognition
A PRIVATELY owned gems laboratory equipped with the latest technology opened its doors yesterday, but, it will take time for the industry to receive international recognition, insiders say.
Myanmar, Gemological Laboratory will be able to provide a range of reports at a cost of K15,000 to K-150,000 to identify natural or synthetic stones, including treatment and geographic origin, according to its founder U Wai La Win.
“If we can make hundreds or thou- sands of reports matching [the quality of reports by] internationally recognised labs, with local coordination, it will be quicker to get the reputation of local labs recognised in. foreign couniries I ” he said.
U Wai La Win added there are about 10 such labs in the country, but most use somewhat outdated technology compared to his lab.
Leading Myanmar geologist Daw Yin Yin New said she supports the private sector as the government it- self is decentralising.
“By competing with the private sector, processes on the government side become more competitive and qualified. There should be no more monopolising by the government, I think,” she said.
Government gems experts should also work closely with their private i sector counterparts in efforts to re- ceive international recognition- Cur- rently, local stones often must be certified in foreign countries, but this business could be completed locally, she said.
“The government needs to liberalise and decentralise the sector by handing over mining processes to the private sector and simply collecting Lax from them, like Indonesia- This avoids conflict. of interest, though does not fully control all the country’s resources from leaving..” she said. Gems dealers say they welcome efforts to bring international-quality gems appraisal to Yangon.
U Thaung Tun, owner of Yadana Theingi Gems and Jewellery, said when local gems are resold at inter- national exhibitions, they must often be re-appraised to meet their standards.
Gary Nelson, a gems businessper¬son, said that while some of the laboratories here may not be glob¬ally recognised, they have a lot of ex¬perience and understand Myanmar gemstones.
However, laboratories bring a level of objectivity to gem appraisals. They have necessary equipment and can tell the characteristics of stones and how they stack up against inter¬national gems.
“They can identify stones very eas¬ily and very correctly,” he said.
Part of the problem for local gems laboratories is the world was in the dark for so long about the industry in Myanmar, and it was also difficult for Myanmar people to take in interna¬tional best practices.
Mr Nelson said the situation was different for U Wai La Win, as he studied and worked overseas for the Gemological Institute of Amer¬ica, and is bringing that experience back to Myanmar. In the past, most Myanmar labs catered to the local community.
Ideally, locally valued gems with a proper certificate should be accepted internationally, which will help local traders have the confidence to go places like New York or London and present the stone, he said.
Queen Elizabeth’s Burmese Ruby Tiara
The Burmese Ruby Tiara is a unique and fascinating piece of jewelry in Queen Elizabeth II’s personal collection. The tiara was made by Garrard in 1973, using 96 rubies that were a wedding gift from the people of Burma. The Burmese people believe that rubies help protect the wearer from the 96 diseases that can afflict the human body, and they wanted to ensure that Elizabeth remained healthy.
The Burmese Ruby Tiara is a unique and fascinating piece of jewelry in Queen Elizabeth II’s personal collection. The tiara was made by Garrard in 1973, using 96 rubies that were a wedding gift from the people of Burma. The Burmese people believe that rubies help protect the wearer from the 96 diseases that can afflict the human body, and they wanted to ensure that Elizabeth remained healthy.
The tiara is not without controversy, however. It was created using stones from another tiara that had been dismantled – the Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara, a diamond floral tiara that the queen received as a wedding gift. The Nizam was an Indian monarch who instructed Cartier to let the princess choose whatever she wanted from their collection for her gift. Elizabeth chose a floral tiara and necklace that had been made in the 1930s, but in the early 1970s, she had the tiara dismantled and the diamonds were used to make the Burmese Ruby Tiara.
The reason for the creation of a new ruby tiara is also interesting. When Elizabeth succeeded to the throne in 1953, she should have taken possession of all of the jewels designated as “heirlooms of the crown” by previous monarchs and their spouses. This collection includes the Oriental Circlet, which was made for Queen Victoria and then reset with rubies by Queen Alexandra. However, the circlet was one of the favorite tiaras of Elizabeth’s mother, and rather than taking it from her, Elizabeth decided to let her keep it and use other jewels instead.
The Burmese Ruby Tiara is a beautiful and meaningful piece of jewelry with a rich history. It is a testament to Queen Elizabeth’s personal style and her connection to the people of Burma. It is also a reminder of the complex history and traditions behind royal jewelry.
Our office location
Address: Rm 307, Yae Kyaw Complex, Yae Kyaw Rd, Yangon 11182
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 5 PM
Phone: 09 774 204020
Frequently Asked Questions
You can purchase a variety of high-quality gems, including rubies, sapphires, jade, and other precious stones sourced directly from Myanmar.
All our gems come with a certificate of authenticity from recognized gemological institutes, ensuring their quality and origin.
We ship internationally via trusted couriers, with tracking available, and delivery typically takes 7-14 business days depending on your location.
Yes, we offer a 30-day return or exchange policy, provided the gem is in its original condition and accompanied by its certificate.
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