The history of Burma's jade mines, as seen through Western eyes, from the earliest accounts through World War II.

This 1997 classic set a new standard for gemological scholarship. Now out-of-print, it sells for a thousand dollars or more in the secondhand market. ...

Part 1 of Chapter 10  from Richard Hughes' 1997 book, Ruby & Sapphire. It covers general principles of judging quality.

Appendix B from Richard Hughes' 1997 book, Ruby & Sapphire, consisting of prices.

This is the chapter on ruby and sapphire from India (including Kashmir sapphire) from Richard Hughes' 1997 book, Ruby & Sapphire.

Inclusions are among the most important features for identifying ruby and sapphire. This is the chapter on ruby and sapphire inclusions from Richard H...

The chapter on ruby and sapphire from Burma (Myanmar) from Richard Hughes' 1997 book, Ruby & Sapphire.

Sample sidebar from Ruby & Sapphire (1997) by Richard W. Hughes

Part 2 of Chapter 10  from Richard Hughes' 1997 book, Ruby & Sapphire. It covers record-setting rubies, sapphires and spinels.

In 1996, several gemologists set off for Burma's remote jade mines, the first visit by foreigners since the early 1960's. This is the story of their e...

The author makes his first pilgrimage to Burma's Mogok Stone Tract, home of the pigeon's blood ruby.

A brief history of Burmese (Myanmar) sapphires, along with details of some of the major pieces of yore.

A brief history of the heat treatment of ruby & sapphire, from ancient times to the modern era.

This article discussed the ruby and spinel mines of Afghanistan/Tajikistan, in an attempt to shed light on one of the great gemological enigmas.

The issue of gemological nomenclature is one that has been hotly debated for decades, because an attractive name is a crucial part of marketing and se...

A 1992 visit to Vietnam's Quy Chau ruby mines, the first by a foreign gemologist, along with commentary on US-Vietnam politics.

In 1991, titanium-diffused blue sapphires reappeared in the Bangkok market after an absence of many years. Touted as "deep diffusion," the stones prov...

This is what happens when someone who knows little about jewelry is asked to write something about jewelry. Richard Hughes tosses off a cheeky descrip...

Surface ('bulk') diffusion-treated corundums (SDTCs) created a stir in the Bangkok market in 1990. This article looks at the original patents and cont...

A discussion of brilliance, windows and extinction as they relate to the face-up appearance of colored gemstones. Diagrams demonstrate that extinction...