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

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

SIZE: Length: 5 1/2mm. Width: 4 1/2mm. 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 very nice 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 sparkling precious gemstone is transparent, eye clean, with a highly desirable bright, almost neon red color, vibrant character, and blinding sparkles of fiery, brilliant bright red flashes. However it is not eye clean, it could best be described as slightly included. As is very common with rubies there are thin, wispy strands of colorless crystalline material. Oftentimes this colorless crystalline material cannot even be seen with the naked eye - only with the use of a jeweler's loupe. However this particular specimen has one strand of such crystalline material in particular which is noticed by all but the most casual glance. It is not hugely disfiguring, and it would be much more difficult to spot once the gemstone was set as a pendant or ring. But as it is now, one can see it with the naked eye when the gemstone is scrutinized.

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, it is at least a natural gemstone, and a very beautiful one at that. It is absolutely transparent notwithstanding the little bit of stranded colorless crystalline material. While in these 600% photo enlargement these wispy strands of colorless crystalline material seem quite obvious, they really are not typically noticed by the casual admirer, and from some angles can barely be seen at all. Whatever sins the critic might find, to the eye it is simply a bright red ruby of even color, possessing really nice sparkle - lots of fire! If you hold this gemstone on the light and roll it between thumb and forefinger, it contains rolling flashes of red, it really is fiery. And while this gorgeous precious gemstone is not absolutely flawless, it is most certainly toward the higher end of the quality spectrum.

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 color, superb sparkle, and to the eye is absolutely transparent. But of course that does not mean it is entirely flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are not nearly as obvious to the eye as they are here in these 600% photo enlargements; and once set, these little blemishes would be even less noticeable. To casual scrutiny it is simply a bright red ruby gemstone of even color. However in these 600% photo enlargements you can clearly the dispersed colorless crystalline blemishes (some of it as described 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".