Stone of the month…

Having left with various notes (and knowledge) from my Gem-A exam, here is a "stone of the month"...with some notes to it :)

So, our July's hero is RUBY:

My mini stone chart

• Corundum mainly has been found in a number of different areas of Burma, far away in a remote corner of the earth.

• Small town  called Mogok has one industry, the recovery of rubies from mud and sand. The first things offered or mentioned to you - are rubies no matter what business may have brought you to this town, the natives all assume you are there for rubies and nothing else.

Map of Southeast Asia, showing the important gem localities, particularly those of Burma.

• Prices of the gem stones are primarily determined by color.

• One carat of a top quality Burmese can fetch tens of thousands of Euros on the continent. The brightest and most valuable "red" called pigeon blood-red, commands a huge premium over other stones of similar quality.

Natural occuring corundum crystal, Mogok, Burma

• All natural rubies have imperfections in them, including color impurities and inclusions of rutile needles known as "silk". Gemologists use these needle inclusions found in natural rubies to distinguish them from synthetics, simulants, or substitutes. Usually the rough stone is heated before cutting.

• These stones were also used to ornament armor and harnesses of noblemen in India and China and those laid beneath the foundation of buildings were to secure good fortune to the structure.

Shaun Leane jewellery