The Opticon treatment of fissure-filling treatment emeralds with Opticon became an issue of huge controversy in the late 1990's. This article takes a close look at it and asks if Opticon is actually that different from fillers like cedarwood oil.

The following interview with Richard W. Hughes appeared in Australian Jeweller, May 1998, p. 10.

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

A description of the fracture healing of Mong Hsu ruby, along with the problems this has created in the gem trade.

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

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

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