Exquisite, Flashy, Sparkling 19th Century Genuine Natural Three-Quarter Carat (Plus) Good Quality Faceted Emerald Cut Ruby from Burma.

CLASSIFICATION: Faceted Emerald Cut (Octagon) Ruby Precious Gemstone.

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

SIZE: Length: 6mm. Width: 5mm. Depth: 2mm. Measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: 0.85 carats.

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

DETAIL: A very, very nice decent quality 19th century antique hand faceted "emerald cut" 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. Originally used in indigenous jewelry, this sparkling precious gemstone is transparent, with a highly desirable bright red color, vibrant character, and blinding sparkles of fiery, brilliant bright red flashes. However it is not entirely without blemish. It's not eye clean, though if one were generous one could say that it was "near eye clean" to casual scrutiny.

However it does have a fairly prominent blemish, a dollop of seamed crystalline material which can be detected fairly easily, even with the naked eye. It almost looks like a large horsetail inclusion for those who might be familiar with Russian demantoid garnet, kind of a wispy think cloud. It looks a bit like a some lint, a small little particle of cotton, is somehow inside the gemstone, as if it were a small little furry insect trapped in amber. However it is not nearly so pronounced as it is in these images here. The casual admirer will not notice it. It is only upon close inspection one realizes that there is a small blemish. However even with the slight blemish, the sparkle, flash, and color are all magnificent. Roll the gemstone between finger and thumb so that the light can play on it, and the flashes of red are dazzling!

Notwithstanding the blemish of wispy crystalline material, the gemstone is absolutely transparent as opposed to lower value translucent 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. This particular gemstone is an exception. It is completely transparent, yet it is natural. There is just the wispy smudge of colorless crystalline material, almost like a finger of misty fog (and were it not, the gemstone would be worth several thousand dollars).. Although the blemish can be seen with the naked eye as a loose gemstone - though only upon close examination - once set this little wispy area would be almost impossible to detect.

To the eye the gemstone absolutely transparent, and is alive with fiery brilliant red flashes. When struck by a light source, or when held up to the light, you can see right through it. Of course one can make out the seamed crystalline, but at the same time one cannot help but admire the rich, bright red color, as well as the brilliant bright red sparkles. While this colorful precious gemstone is not absolutely flawless, it is definitely well toward the higher end of the quality spectrum. In any event, it's a remarkably beautiful natural ruby precious gemstone. We guarantee you will be mesmerized and dazzled by the brilliant flash and sparkling, fiery beauty of this natural ruby precious gemstone.

The trained eye will easily discern 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 a hand crafted gemstone are considered part and parcel of the magic of such an antique gemstone. 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. However such tiny little characteristic blemishes are not only expected of antique hand-crafted gemstones, 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. This is why 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: 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".