Sensational Sparkling Antique 19th Century Genuine Natural Faceted One-Third Carat Bright Blood Red Ruby from Burma.

ORIGIN: Burma, 19th Century (present day Myanmar).

SIZE: Diameter: 4 1/2 mm. Depth: 2mm. Measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: 0.35 carats.

NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstone as a ring, pendant, or as earrings.

DETAIL: A very, very nice decent quality 19th century antique hand faceted ruby from Burma (present day Myanmar). Hand crafted by a 19th century Russian artisan, part of an heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia. The faceted cut is a coarse precursor to what eventually became known in the industry as a "brilliant cut" round, the contemporary finish generally given to round diamonds. Originally used in indigenous jewelry, this is a very pretty precious gemstone, with a highly desirable bright blood red color and rich texture. The color is not the darker hued blood red with violet undertones. Rather it is a very bright, almost neon red; still blood red, but very bright and intense. It is eye clean, of higher value transparent character as opposed to lower value translucent or opaque rubies. Of course most ruby gemstones are anywhere from lightly to heavily included. Most completely transparent rubies you see offered today at retail are either synthetic (read the fine print carefully) or cost $10,000 a carat. While this particular specimen might not be flawless, it is at least eye clean. We guarantee you will be mesmerized and dazzled by the brilliant flash and sparkling, fiery beauty of this natural ruby precious gemstone.

This gemstone has great luster and is almost completely transparent, but it does possess some very light, wispy seams of colorless crystalline material. This blemish is not immediately evident to the casual glance. In fact, they do not even show very well in these 600% photo enlargements. And to the unaided eye you cannot see them either. However if you scrutinize the gemstone closely through a jeweler's loupe, you can make out this very light colorless crystalline material. It does not diminish the incredible sparkle of this brilliant gemstone, full of fiery flashes! To the eye it is simply a bright blood red ruby, a very beautiful, sparkling precious gemstone with lots of internal fire. Even if you hold the gemstone up to a light source and scrutinize it very carefully, you cannot see these wispy blemishes. However you can admire the astonishing sparkle and fire and relatively superlative transparency of the gemstone and the vibrant color! While as a consequence of this seamed crystalline blemish this colorful precious gemstone is not absolutely transparent (though not far removed either), it is well toward the higher end of the quality spectrum, and to casual observation, does in fact appear entirely transparent.

Aside from the seamed crystalline material, which is really only detectible under high magnification and with very close scrutiny, there are as well as occasional irregularities in the faceting and finish. The trained eye will easily detect these tell-tale indications that the gemstone was hand cut and hand faceted. The coarseness of the 19th century finish is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment. In fact these characteristics of hand crafted gemstones are considered part and parcel of the magic of such antique gemstones. Unlike today's computer controlled machine processes, the cut and finish of gemstones such as these is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. Such antique hand-faceted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones. Of course both the minor inclusions as well as coarse finish are the normal condition of most any antique gemstone.

You must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even theoretically possible, let alone commonly practiced, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today. Two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then. So antique gemstones must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones routinely mined from deep beneath the earth's surface today were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. However for most, the unique nature and character of antique gemstones such as this more than makes up for included imperfections which by and large, are (if at all) only visible under high magnification.

HISTORY: Rubies were amongst the earliest gemstones traded by mankind, since the 5th millennium B.C. Rubies were worn as an amulet for protection from plagues, poison, sorrow, and evil spirits from ancient times all the way through Medieval Europe. Rubies it was believed would bring health, wealth, wisdom, and success to those who wore them. In Sankskrit, an ancient language of India, ruby was called "ratnaraj", which means "King of Gems". To them, this fiery stone burned with an inextinguishable fire, capable of boiling the water in which it was placed. Even the ancient Greeks believed that a "fire" burned within a ruby, as evidenced by the red color, and they believed the ruby capable of melting wax. The Burmese actually embedded rubies within their skin as they believed it produced invulnerability. Ruby is the red variety of corundum, the second hardest natural mineral known to mankind (behind the diamond). The non-red variety of corundum is Sapphire. Because of its hardness and durability, ruby is an excellent choice for including in all types of jewelry. Sapphires are well known among the general public as being blue, but can be nearly any color. Rubies are mined all over the world, including India, Burma, Ceylon, Thailand, India, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, and North Carolina in the USA.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".