PIGEON’S BLOOD RUBIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1931, Page 20 (Supplement)

PIGEON’S BLOOD RUBIES.

The finest rubies in the world come from Upper Burma, and a stone of 100 carats has been found there, in Mojok. This type of ruby is known as the true Oriental specimen—its colour resembling that of pigeon’s blood—and it is found in the crystalline limeston* and in the alluvial deposits of rocks in Burma. ; Gravels that bear rubies occur Infra- ■ quently in Europe —there are some in Auvergne, the Urals, and in Bohemia, and it° is reported that fine rubies hav» been found in New Guinea. When rubbed a ruby becomes electrical, and stays so for some time. Real rubies are not common but there are plenty of non-Oriental types, -which are known as 'Spinel, and are of a deep carmine red. Synthetic rubies are made, which can usually be detected, because ’ they have air ’bubbles and curved streaks that are not found in the natural stone. A really authentic Oriental ruby i» more prized than a diamond of Similar size, and is valued approximately at £3O per carat of weight. The value of such rubies increases, according to size, in bigger proportions than does any other stone. Gustavus 111. of Sweden presented a ruby to the Empress Catherine that was the size of a pigeon’s egg, and the Great Mogul was reputed to be adorned with 108 rubies, weighing from 100 to 200 carats each. Marco Polo said that one owned by a king of Ceylon measured a span in length, was as thick as a man’s arm, and quite flawless. Kublai Khan offered the value of * city for it, but its proud owner would not let it go. In 1875 the Burmese Government sent . to England two precious rubies, which were sold for £30,000. ——