Burma Ruby: A History of Mogok's Rubies from Antiquity to the Present
By S.K. Samuels, 254 pp., illus., publ. by S.K.S. Enterprises, Tucson, AZ, 2003. US$45.00 ...
Burma Ruby: A variety of corundum found in Burma (Myanmar) known for its vivid pinkish-red hue and strong fluorescence in ultraviolet light. Rubies from this source carry a certain prestige.
While the Burma ruby is famed throughout the world as the finest of its kind the Burma sapphire has been ignominiously, but unjustly, dismissed as of poor quality. In actual fact nowhere in the world are such superb sapphires produced as in Burma.
And, although these gems are technically pink sapphires in America, some cultures, such as the Japanese and Europeans, refer to this color as "Burma ruby". This makes it very difficult for US collectors.
Red stones that contain chromium are Burma ruby, synthetic ruby and red spinel. Ruby and spinel when viewed through the Chelsea filter appear red. Demantoid Garnet when examined through the Chelsea filter in presence of light appears pinkish.
In the marketplace, Burma ruby, Kashmir sapphire, and Paraiba tourmaline will command premium prices simply because they hail from the specific areas named. This is not a scam but it is a snare! The aficionado is interested in a beautiful gem.
The Mong Hsu ruby deposit is producing commercial quantities of commercial quality Burma ruby and also significant quantities of fine quality Burma ruby, particularly in sizes up to a carat.
Most prolific production during the period 1889-1931, when the area was mined on a large scale by Burma Ruby Mines Ltd., a British concern run by an eminent London jeweler, Edwin Streeter.
A classic example it the terms "Burmese" or "Burma ruby," and "Siam ruby," which are simultaneously used to describe color, and/or origin.
Famous Victorian Jeweler Edwin Streeter led a consortium against Baron Rothschild to obtain the Burma Ruby Mining rights.
Edwin Streeter on Ruby Mines
Streeter's connection with Burma Mines ...
Demand for fine rubies is really limited by the tiny supply available; therefore new sources are always treated as exciting news. Burma ruby is now being outdone by Thai ruby, due to the new ruby rush in the area.
 See also: Ruby, Stone, Sapphire, Color, Mineral
  
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