Antique 19th Century Handcrafted Genuine Natural Faceted One Carat Blood Red Ruby "Emerald" from Burma.

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

SIZE: Length: 6 1/2mm. Width: 4mm. Depth: 3mm. Measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: 0.96 carats.

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

DETAIL: A decent quality 19th century antique hand faceted ruby "emerald" (also known within the trade as an "octagon") 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. Originally used in indigenous jewelry, this is a very pretty precious gemstone, with a highly desirable blood red color and rich texture. It is by and large eye clean, of higher value transparent/translucent character as opposed to lower value opaque rubies. Of course most ruby gemstones are anywhere from lightly to heavily included. Unfortunately most transparent "rubies" sold even by the largest and most reputable retailers in the United States are synthetic (read the fine print; and the same is true of emeralds and sapphires).

While this particular specimen might not be anywhere near flawless, to casual scrutiny it is at least eye clean. It is somewhere between transparent and translucent (more toward the former than the latter), absolute transparency impaired by some dispersed colorless crystalline blemishes (some of it in the form of thin, wispy strands), as well as simply by the fact that it is a fat, darkly hued gemstone. However to the eye it is simply a blood red ruby of even color, the dispersed crystalline blemishes are not individually discernible to the naked eye, and the blood red gemstone possesses very handsome luster and some very nice fiery sparkles. And if you hold this gemstone up to the light, the blood red color can really be appreciated - the rich red texture and captivating depth - it truly looks like a crystallized drop of blood.

While this colorful precious gemstone is not completely transparent, it is certainly toward the higher end of the quality spectrum as opposed to lower quality opaque ruby "brights". Under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the 19th century finish is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment, or detract from the value of a gemstone. These characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, most serious collectors consider such gemstones more desirable, possessed of greater character and uniqueness when compared to today's cookie-cutter mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones. Unlike today's computer controlled machine produced gemstones, the cut and finish of a gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. 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 only visible under magnification.

This gemstone has great luster and texture and to the eye is somewhere between transparent and translucent (much more toward the former), but of course that does not mean it is entirely flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are not easily discerned by the naked eye - at least to casual scrutiny. As stated, to casual scrutiny it is simply a richly colored blood red ruby gemstone of even color with some very nice sparkles. However in these 600% photo enlargements you can see some dispersed colorless crystalline blemishes (some of it in thin, wispy strands) within the gemstone and occasional irregularities in the cut and finish. Naturally these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even possible then, let alone in practice, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today.

Keep in mind that 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. It is for this reason that 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 only visible under magnification.

HISTORY: The name ruby comes from the Latin "rubeus" (red). The most sought after shade of red for ruby is often given the name "pigeon blood red", but ruby can be any shade of red up to almost pink. The only source of "pigeon blood" rubies is Mogok in Upper Burma, about ninety miles from Kepling's Mandalay, and are known in the trade as "Mogok" rubies. In Mogok, the rubies are mined by natives according to centuries-old customs. The famous "Hill of Precious Stones", near Bangkok, Thailand, yields rubies of a deeper shade, usually a more brownish color. Rubies from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) tend toward violet, and are lighter in color. Oriented rutile crystal inclusions cause a six-rayed-star light effect (called asterism) to form the popular "Star Ruby". The "Star Ruby" is also known as a "Mysore Ruby", as the majority are mined in Mysore, India. Ruby was worn by the ancients as an amulet for protection from plagues, poison, sorrow, and evil spirits. The ruby symbolized freedom, charity, dignity and divine power.

The Greeks believed that the "fire" evidenced by a ruby's red coloration could melt wax. Up through Medieval Europe, rubies were worn for protection against unhappiness, lightening and upsetting dreams. 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. In India, it was said that he who offered rubies to the gods would be reincarnated as a powerful king or emperor. In Burma it was felt a ruby must not just be worn, but embedded in the skin to become part of the body, thus making the wearer invulnerable. Ruby is the red variety of corundum, the second hardest natural mineral known to mankind. The non-red variety of corundum is Sapphire. Sapphires are well known among the general public as being blue, but can be nearly any color. Rubies are mined all over the world, but the highest quality gemstones come from Burma Ceylon, Siam, and India.

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".