In the world of Rubies there is one that sets the standard by which all others are measured: the Burmese Ruby. Burma, now known as Myanmar, is home to the mythic ‘Mogok Stone Tract’ and the Mong Hsu mines, sources of world’s the richest red Ruby.

This reputation helps to explain why England, under the reigns of Queen Victoria, invaded and annexed Upper Burma in 1885 after learning that a French mining company were to begin sourcing Ruby from the famed ‘Mogok Stone Tract’.

Mogok Stone Tract

The legendary 'Mogok Stone Tract', situated about 200km north of Mandalay, is a mountainous valley surrounded by high summits in the North of Myanmar. The corundum “Stone Tract”, enveloping the city of Mogok, yields both Rubies and sapphires. However, although the Mogok sapphire is high quality it is eclipsed by the far more prolific Ruby.

The "Valley of Rubies” is still mined today producing gemstones of a breathtaking brilliance second to none. Aside from their vivid coloring, the reasoning behind the Mogok Stone Tract’s legendary status is that approximately 75% of Mogok Rubies reveal either low, or no evidence of heat treatment. The remaining 25% that are heated will sell for up to 40% less than the untreated and low temperature heated gemstones.

Unfortunately, the lack of large sizes coupled with the romantic and historical hype has made Ruby from the Stone Tract a rarity, commanding top of the range prices.

Mong Hsu

The mines of Mong Hsu, located in the North-East of Myanmar, have produced some of the most important occurrences of fine quality Ruby in the last century. When untreated Mong Hsu Ruby crystals display two colors: a purple to blackish core with a vivid red edge. At first, this coloration was considered unsuitable for commercial use: However, after heat treatment it was discovered that the dark core dissolved leaving a beautiful deep red.

Today the Mong Hsu gemstone mines are still amongst some of the most important Ruby suppliers in the world, offering heat-treated Rubies in commercial quantities and sizes of between 0.5 and 3 carats. If Mogok Rubies are out of your price range, but you still want the prestige of a Burmese Ruby then the Mong Hsu Ruby is the one for you.