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Know More About Burma Ruby
Burma Rubies are more than just beautiful gems. They’re famous in the world of luxury auctions. They’ve broken records at places like Sotheby’s and Christie’s, sometimes selling for more than diamonds. These rubies have a rich history, once treasured by royals and empires, and their Burmese origin was seen as a mark of top quality.
Unlike rubies from other regions, Burma Rubies naturally glow under UV light due to high chromium content and low iron levels. This intense red fluorescence, even in daylight, gives them a “lit from within” appearance that's nearly impossible to replicate. Found deep in metamorphic marble, they’re not just rare, they’re geological anomalies that science continues to study.
Burma Rubies have long been treasured by royalty, once reserved exclusively for kings and emperors across Asia. These rubies were so valued in ancient times that warriors believed they granted invincibility in battle. Today, their legacy continues as they dominate prestigious auctions and are featured in some of the world's most iconic jewelry collections.
Core Attributes of Burma Ruby
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | Al₂O₃ (Aluminum Oxide with Chromium as the coloring agent) |
| Colors | Vivid red to deep red, often described as “Pigeon’s Blood” |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Refractive Index | 1.762 – 1.770 |
| Birefringence | 0.008 – 0.010 |
| Specific Gravity | 3.97 – 4.05 |
| Melting Point | Approximately 2,050°C (3,722°F) |
| Heat Resistance | Excellent, can withstand high temperatures without damage |
| Mohs Hardness | 9 |
Burma Ruby Value
Burma rubies are among the benchmark for excellence in the gem world. Their worth comes mainly from their vivid red color, especially the “Pigeon Blood” shade, which is pure red with a soft bluish glow. This natural color is hard to find and even harder to fake. What sets them apart isn’t only the vivid red color, but the inner glow they carry. This unique light effect, caused by microscopic inclusions and natural fluorescence, gives them unmatched appeal.
What adds more to their value is their origin. Burmese rubies come from Myanmar’s legendary Mogok mines, known for producing rubies with unmatched clarity and depth. Clean, untreated rubies from this region can sell for more per carat than diamonds, especially if they have no enhancements.
While prices can begin at a few hundred dollars for commercial-grade stones, high-quality untreated Burma rubies can sell for thousands or even tens of thousands per carat at auctions and private sales.
Burma Ruby Origins
While sapphires are discovered in various corners of the globe, truly exceptional gemstones emerge from only a select few regions. These rare locales are known for producing sapphires of remarkable clarity, color, and value, each with its own unique geological story.
Thailand
Thailand is a key hub for cutting and trading sapphires, with mines producing deep blue to yellow stones. Thai sapphires are usually heat-treated to enhance their color and clarity.
Australia
Australian sapphires are known for their dark blue to greenish tones and are valued for their unique earthy colors. They come mainly from New South Wales and Queensland.
Nigeria
Nigeria has become a newer source of sapphires. The gems here are bright and come in many shades, including blue and pink that are gaining global attention.
Madagascar
Madagascar produces a wide range of sapphire colors, especially pink and blue, and has become a major source in recent years. Its sapphires are valued for their beauty and variety and are loved for their rich tones and size. Also Madagascar offers some of the world’s newest and finest finds.
Sri Lanka
Srilanka is known for its vibrant blue sapphires but it also produce sapphires of all colors. It offers some of the high-quality gems with excellent clarity and color for centuries. It is one of the oldest and most famous sources in the world.
Burma Ruby Colors
What makes Burma ruby colors unique is their natural intensity. Unlike rubies from other regions, they usually don’t need heat treatment to look bright. Their color comes from the high chromium content in the earth of Burma’s Mogok region, which also causes a slight natural fluorescence, giving the ruby an inner fire that seems to shine from within.
Pigeon’s Blood red
Burmese rubies are treasured for their rich and varied red tones. The most prized shade is called Pigeon’s Blood red, a vivid, pure red with a slight bluish tint that gives the stone a glowing look. This color often sells for more than diamonds of the same size.
Other
Other popular shades include Intense Red, Winza Red, and Royal Red, each offering its own depth and brilliance. You'll also find rubies in Vibrant Red and Pink-Red, showcasing softer or brighter tones depending on their formation.Though red remains the signature, Burmese rubies sometimes surprise with purple or pinkish shade.
Purple
Purple sapphires appear in shades from light lavender to deep violet. They commonly have medium to dark tones with rich and intense saturation.
Pink
Pink sapphires range from delicate baby pink to bright hot pink. They usually have light to medium tones with bright and lively saturation.
Green
Green sapphires vary from soft mint green to dark forest green. They mostly have medium to dark tones and a range of saturation from soft to strong.
Multi-color
Multi-color sapphires have two or more hues, such as blue and green or pink and yellow. Their tones and saturation change across the stone, creating unique effects.
White
White sapphires have no color, so their hue is colorless. They show very light tones with no saturation, resulting in a clear and pure appearance.
Burma Ruby Clarity
Clarity in Burma rubies isn’t just about being clean or flawless, it's about personality. These rubies often carry microscopic fingerprints from the Earth like silk-like rutile threads, or crystal inclusions that tell the story of the gem’s volcanic birth. Far from imperfections, these natural marks act like geological time stamps, proving authenticity and origin.
Interestingly, in high-quality Burma rubies, this internal silk is so fine and evenly spread that it becomes a desirable trait rather than a defect. In some cases, expert cutters position these inclusions to reflect light in a way that intensifies the ruby’s color. Rather than chasing flawless clarity, gem collectors seek harmony where inclusions exist, but never overpower the ruby’s rich, internal fire.
Burma Ruby Prices Per Carat
Burma rubies are among the most valuable gemstones in the world. These rubies often command premium prices, especially when untreated and certified. The price per carat varies greatly depending on several factors, including color intensity, clarity, treatment status,certification, and size. Below is a breakdown of typical price ranges:
| Treatment | Quality Grade | Price Per Carat (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Untreated | Exceptional (Pigeon Blood) | $15,000 – $100,000+ |
| Untreated | Fine Quality | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Heat-Treated | Good Quality | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Heat-Treated | Commercial Grade | $1,000 – $2,000 |