LES Mozambique Rubies

Mozambique rubies display an intense red, sometimes with a slight orange or purple cast. Burmese rubies (Mogok) offer a deeper red with superior UV fluorescence. It is this fluorescence that gives Burmese rubies their characteristic brilliance, known as "pigeon's blood." Mozambique rubies generally show fewer visible inclusions. On price, Burmese rubies command a premium of 3 to 10 times more for equivalent quality. The choice ultimately depends on budget and the precise colour character you are seeking.

Several factors account for the price difference. First, historical rarity: Burmese rubies carry 800 years of cultural and commercial heritage, giving them an unrivalled prestige premium. Second, fluorescence: Burmese rubies display superior fluorescence that amplifies their brilliance in light — a characteristic highly prized by collectors. Finally, production volume: the Montepuez mine yields more rubies than all Burmese mines combined. This relative abundance exerts downward pressure on prices.

Price varies according to quality, weight and treatment. For a good-quality heated ruby of around 1 carat, expect €1,000 to €3,000 per carat. For 2–3 carats of equivalent quality, prices typically range from €3,000 to €8,000 per carat. An unheated Mozambique ruby commands 2 to 3 times more. Exceptional stones with vivid colour and no visible inclusions exceed €15,000 per carat. At equivalent quality, a Mozambique ruby costs 3 to 10 times less than a Burmese ruby.

The Montepuez mine is operated by Gemfields, a mining group listed in London. Gemfields has published a responsible conduct code since 2013, covering health and safety, financial transparency, traceability and environmental standards. The mine is subject to regular audits by independent bodies, and Gemfields publishes detailed data on its mining practices. It is one of the few ruby operations in the world to offer this level of transparency. This does not make Montepuez a "Fairtrade" mine in the strictest sense, but its traceability standards remain among the highest in the ruby sector.

Mozambique rubies offer a varied palette of reds. Gem-quality stones display a vivid, luminous red, sometimes with subtle purple or orange overtones, ranging from cherry red to deep intense red. Certain stones even achieve "pigeon's blood" quality, a designation traditionally reserved for Burmese rubies — though it remains less common in Mozambique than in Mogok. Mozambican rubies are also frequently distinguished by greater visual clarity than their Burmese counterparts.

Approximately 90% of Mozambique rubies undergo high-temperature heat treatment. This process intensifies colour and improves transparency. It is internationally accepted by the market and does not affect the durability of the stone. Unheated rubies (noted as "NH" or "no heat" on the certificate) remain rarer and more highly valued, commanding 2 to 3 times the price. Bonnot Paris offers both options. We do not sell any ruby treated with lead glass — a controversial process that alters the structure of the stone.

Only a gemmological certificate issued by an independent laboratory can attest to a ruby's origin. Recognised laboratories include SSEF (Switzerland), GRS (Switzerland), AGL (United States) and Gübelin (Switzerland). They determine origin through spectroscopic analysis of inclusions and chemical composition. Each deposit leaves a distinct geological signature that experts are trained to identify. Be wary of any seller who claims Mozambique origin without an independent certificate. Bonnot Paris supplies every ruby with its origin certificate from a recognised laboratory.