The use of high-temperature lattice-diffusion heat treatment with beryllium to lighten the color of blue sapphires.

The history of the Black Prince's Ruby, one of the world's most famous precious stones.

The Book of Ruby and Sapphire

J.F. Halford-Watkins  |  2012

Prior to the 1930s, ruby and sapphire were mysteries, arcane gems oft-confused with spinel and other look-alikes. Enter Col. J.F. Halford-Watkins. Living in Mogok for more than two decades, he penned several articles and an entire monograph on the subject of these rare gems. Sadly he passed away before it could be published. In 1994, Richard Hughes came across a reference to the manuscript. Patrick Streeter, grandson of G. Skelton Streeter, and great grandson of the famed London jeweler, Edwin Streeter, had mentioned the Halford-Watkins manuscript while writing his book, Streeter of Bond Street. Following up on that obscure reference Richard Hughes stumbled upon something truly fantastic, an undiscovered treasure of the gemological literature. Over ten years in the making, The Book of Ruby and Sapphire  is the realization of Halford-Watkins’ vision. Professionally edited and illustrated, it represents a gemological tour de force.

Still in Print. To order this book click this link

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.

Corundum

Richard W. Hughes  |  1990

Rubies and sapphires are widely considered to be among the most sought after and precious of gems. Together they account for over fifty percent of the world trade in colored gemstones. This book is the first from Richard Hughes on the subject, and the first major work to be devoted entirely to the corundum family of gemstones. It covers all aspects of rubies and sapphires, beginning with their history, chemical and physical properties. Other chapters look at treatments, synthetic corundums, methods of fashioning, famous rubies and sapphires, formation of corundum deposits and world sources, providing a valuable reference source for jewelers, gemologists, students, and the general reader.

Out-of-print. Click here to search for a copy

A curated list of the most important books on gems, gemology, jewelry, mineralogy and allied fields.

Since the late 1960's, East Africa has been home to some of planet earth's greatest gem discoveries. And yet, little has been written about certain of these finds. In the autumn of 2007, the authors set out to fill in the gaps, specifically regarding Tanzania's Mahenge, Songea and Tunduru regions.

A look at the nexus between gem smuggling and drug smuggling out of Burma (Myanmar), along with the two-faced policies of certain Western governments.

The Thai city of Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี) may be small, but it has played an important role in both the history of Thailand and the gem trade. Taking its name from the Sanskrit word for moon ('chan'), this petite town is among the most charming in the Land of Smiles.

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

Digital Devil #14. An exposé on massive "gem" specimens matched with bogus "appraisals." 

When Max Green set about looting trust fund accounts in Australia, he had no idea it would lead to a sapphire mine in Laos… and a dead body in Cambodia.

In search of Thailand's last ruby miner.

In Memory of Marc Bielenberg – "Mr. Montana Sapphire"

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

Ruby & Sapphire

Richard W. Hughes  |  1992

Ruby & Sapphire explores the fascinating story of the corundum family of gems. This single volume reporesents a slightly updated version of Corundum, the first detailed examination of both ruby and the various sapphires, widely considered to be the most sought after of all gems. The author draws on his many years of experience to take the reader back in time to the various Asian kingdoms that were the primary sources of the fabled ruby and sapphire. For those interested in rubies and sapphires, this book offers an unparallelled look at the world's premier gems. This is a slightly updated version of Corundum.

Out-of-print. Click here to search for a copy

Ruby & Sapphire

Richard W. Hughes  |  1997

Ruby & Sapphire is widely acknowledged as one of the finest gemology books ever published. Not just an update of his previous volumes on ruby and sapphire, it represents something rarely seen in a technical book, a fusion of accurate science and spirited, accessible prose. Within its pages, one finds information on prices, quality analysis, sources, history, treatments and identification. Featuring over 300 color photos and 2500 references, this now out-of-print volume is today highly sought after by collectors and gemologists, who pay as much as $1000 or more for the privilege of owning a copy.

Sample chapters online

• Chapter 5 • Inclusions
• Chapter 10 • Judging Quality: A Connoisseur's Guide
  • Part 1 • Judging Quality
  • Part 2 • Tables of Famous Rubies, Sapphires & Spinels
• Chapter 12 • World Sources
  • Burma (Myanmar)
  • India (including Kashmir)
• Appendix B: Ruby & Sapphire Prices (from 1995)
• Quotes from Book Reviews of Ruby & Sapphire
• Full Book Reviews of Ruby & Sapphire

Out-of-print. Click here to search for a copy

Quotes from some of the rave reviews of the 1997 gemological classic, Ruby & Sapphire, by Richard W. Hughes.

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