Myanmar (Burmese) Rubies and Sapphires

18. November 2015 · Comments Off on Myanmar (Burmese) Rubies and Sapphires · Categories: Gemstone Mining, Gemstones, Ruby, Sapphire · Tags: , , , , ,
2.46 ctw Burmese Ruby and Trapezoid Diamond Ring in 18k white gold

Myanmar (Burmese) Ruby set with trapezoid diamonds in white gold

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is known for its exceptional rubies. It is not widely know that Myanmar also produces very fine quality sapphires.

Sapphires from this country command very high prices for the top quality gemstones with intense or vivid saturation with rich royal blue color. The best sapphires maintain their exceptional color under all lighting conditions, incandescent, daylight and fluorescent, something you rarely see in sapphires. These sapphires do not have the velvety appearance that Kashmir sapphires are known for. Just as with any origin, not all sapphires from Myanmar are so outstanding. Some sapphires are dark or even very light in color.

Fine Burmese Sapphire (from Myanmar)

Fine Burmese Sapphire (from Myanmar)

Rubies and sapphires have been mined in Myanmar for about 800 years. Sapphires are about 10 percent of the output. Mining has been sporadic over the years due to the remote location. Even today, political and economic troubles limit mining activities. Mining is done by government-run and private businesses using both mechanized and primitive techniques. Once the rough is mined, it often heads for Thailand, where the majority of sapphire and ruby fashioning (treating and cutting) is done. Some gems leave Myanmar through unauthorized channels and smuggling is common.

Most Burmese sapphires are heat treated to remove or reduce the silk inclusions. Heat treatment improves the luster and clarity and it can also lighten the darker stones. Because of their origin, fine Burmese sapphires do command higher prices than sapphires of other origins like Madagascar or Montana, but identifying the origin can be difficult if not impossible. Origin identification is most often possible through the identification of that origin’s characteristic inclusions. But since inclusions can be significantly altered by heat treatment, identification can become impossible after heat treatment has been performed.

A Quick Introduction to Sapphires

18. November 2015 · Comments Off on A Quick Introduction to Sapphires · Categories: Gemstones, Gemstones 101, Sapphire · Tags: ,

An Introduction to Sapphires:

Although sapphire means blue in Latin, sapphires can be found in a rainbow of colors. Kings once believed these stones offered protection form harm and envy. Sapphires are calm and relaxing. Until the discovery of extraordinary stones in Kashmir in 1880, Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) was the standard bearer of sapphire. The Kashmir supply was essentially exhausted by 1930, leaving Sri Lanka as the location of the world’s most beautiful sapphires. In the 1990′s Southern Madagascar became one of the top sources of good to fine quality sapphires. Sapphires are also mined in the US (Montana), Australia, Thailand, Cambodia and Northern Madagascar, however these locations don’t produce as fine a sapphire and are mainly used to supply “commercial grade” sapphires to the industry. Sapphires come other colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink. Colors other than blue are referred to as “rainbow sapphires” or “fancy sapphires”. Sapphire is the traditional gift for the fifth and forty-fifth wedding anniversaries and the birthstone for September.

Buying a Sapphire:

2.83 carat Oval Ceylon Sapphire Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14k white gold

A Beautiful Blue Sapphire Ring

Overall, sapphires can be considered the ideal colored gemstone. Besides the amazing selection of colors, sapphires are highly durable with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Sapphires in sizes of more than 1 carat are considered to be important. Minor inclusions are generally acceptable although certainly not as many as with ruby or emerald. Nearly all of the sapphires sold by MyJewelrySource are eye clean and most important, all are very pleasing to the eye. We offer a wide range of colors from a traditional Ceylon blue, to rich lustrous royal blue, to many styles with bubble gum and baby pink, orange, and yellow sapphires.

Care of Sapphires:

Since sapphires are tough and durable, they can withstand most cleaning methods. While steaming and ultrasonic cleaning will not damage the gemstone, these methods are not recommended by us as they may loosen the setting, and subsequently, stones may fall out. Your jewelry may be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth with plain or soapy water. Sapphires should not be put in hot or boiling hot water since a stress fracture due to thermal shock my result. Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume and chlorine, which can dull gemstones.

Gemstone Mining – Sapphires and Rubies

18. November 2015 · Comments Off on Gemstone Mining – Sapphires and Rubies · Categories: Gemstone Mining, Gemstones, Ruby, Sapphire
4.86 ctw Unheated Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Ring in 14k white gold

Yellow Sapphire Ring

Kashmir, an area in the Himalayas, known to produce the finest sapphires in world, was an active area for mining in the late 1800′s. The mine was unfortunately depleted by the 1920′s. Sapphires are now mined in about two dozen locations with the finest quality generally coming from Sri Lanka and Madagascar.

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is an area known for producing extremely fine rubies. Mining was thought to have begun there around 3000 B.C. Mining in Myanmar is quite limited now and since early 2000, Madagascar has taken the lead role in production of quality rubies. Other ruby sources include Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Thailand, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi.

Stay tuned to this blog for much more on gemstone mining, sapphires, rubies and everything that goes in to creating a beautiful ruby or sapphire ring.

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