Product Description
History
The Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar (Burma) was producing rubies from as early as 600AD. Since then rubies were coveted by the wealthy and powerful. Rubies can be found in the crown jewels of royalty from all over the world including the collection of United Kingdom and the French crown jewels.
Sources
Since the discovery of rubies from Burma rubies have also been mined from other countries such as Thailand, the Pailin and Samlout District of Cambodia, India, Afghanistan, Australia, Namibia and in Pakistan. In Sri Lanka, lighter shades of rubies (often “pink sapphires”) are more commonly found. After the Second World War ruby deposits were found in Tanzania, Madagascar, Vietnam, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Pakistan.
Quality
Top quality rubies are of an intense vivid red to slightly purplish red. Even though rubies have been mined in many places around the world, Burmese rubies still remains the finest quality. Top quality Burmese rubies are called “pigeon blood” because of its stunning red colour. However most recently, Vietnam has produced rubies that could rival top quality Burmese rubies.
Trivia
The 170 carat Black Prince ruby in the Imperial state crown of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom is not really a ruby but rather a Spinel.
