When we talk about red gemstones, which is the one that strikes you the most elusive rubies? The answer remains the same if we broaden it more, such as the rare ones found mainly in a geographic area. Yes, the vivid ruby stone from Burma (Myanmar). These fantastic gemstones from this region’s old mines of Mogok Valley are stunning. The rare pigeon blood red hue takes the show, making them one of the most highly prized stones in the world.
Along with these Old Burma rubies, New Burma rubies are widely available in the market. Are these the same or a new variety of sources from new mines in the exact location? Let us know the difference between the two with our comprehensive guide.
History and Origin
Ruby from Myanmar Mogok Valley is the world’s most renowned high-quality gem. These gems are obtained from old mining techniques and are famous for their vivid red hue, well described as the “pigeon blood red” color. Unlike other varieties, these Burma gems are obtained from the corundum mineral family. The exquisite red hue is due to chromium elements in the crystal. Since Mogok Valley is the oldest mine in Burma, 90% of these gems were obtained from it, called Old Burma rubies. The other mine that came into origin is Mong Hsu in Myanmar. Compared to those obtained from Mogok Mines, the red corundum from Mong Hsu mines are mostly treated.
New Burma rubies are glass-filled stones that are generally man-made. They cannot be referred to as synthetic, lab-grown, or imitations. This is because they are poor-quality corundums created to mimic the real ones. Since the supply of original red rubies has become limited, these gems are grabbing a place in the market. The formation process involves heating low-quality red corundum to remove surface impurities. These are placed in a crucible along with lead glass powder. The mixture is heated and then cooled down. The molten glass penetrates the gemstone fissures and cavities, forming a composite red stone.
Color and Clarity
Old Burma ruby features a fantastic “pigeon blood red hue” exclusive to these gems. The unusual name is given to the color as it resembles the hue of the pigeon’s eye. The primary hue, red, is complemented by secondary overtones such as pink, blue, yellow, and purple. These red gems with a tint of blue are also valuable. The concentration of secondary hues should be less than the primary hue so that it doesn’t hinder the stone’s overall beauty. All natural gems have inclusions within that are a result of crystal formation. Mogok rubies have rutile needles as inclusions. A higher concentration of these imperfections gives a dull look to the gem. To enhance their color and transparency, these gems are heat-treated.
New Burma rubies feature cracks that occur during formation. Many refer to these cracks as natural inclusions, and thus, one must be cautious before buying Burmese stones.
Quality and Characteristics
The intense red color of Burmese rubies makes them the most coveted gemstones. Top quality are those with the vivid pigeon blood-red hue with a tinge of blue. Gemstones with more chromium content display a significant red color and are highly valued in the market. The presence of few or no silk rutiles inside the gem marks for a higher price. The hardness of Myanmar gems is ideal and ranks nine on the Mohs scale of hardness. The perfect hardness makes them resistant to scratches, making them a striking stone for jewelry. They have a high refractive index that makes them shine.
The primary characteristic of Old Burmese ruby is that it exhibits red fluorescence under UV light. On the contrary, new Burma stones do not show any of these traits but sometimes show a weak orange fluorescence. Mogok gems are one of the finest varieties of red corundum, whereas New Burma rubies are low-quality stones fused with glass-filled lead. This poor-quality corundum is soft in compassion to natural stones.
Value and Rarity
Color and clarity influence the value and rarity of Burma gems from Mogok Valley. The highly coveted stones display a “pigeon red color” with a tint of blue. These stones are generally inclusive, which is instead a good point of differentiation between Old and New varieties in the market. The Myanmar gemstones are treated to enhance their color and clarity. Heated rubies are less valued than the unheated ones. New rubies are glass-filled and are enhanced to clear surface impurities. These low-quality gems have no value, whereas those obtained from Mogok Valley are highly valuable, particularly the ones with exclusive color and clarity.
Market Trends
Old Burma rubies symbolize passion, love, and energy. They have high market demand due to their rare color, which makes high-end jewelry. These adornments can be passed on to successive generations as heirloom gems. The red corundum obtained from Mogok Valley is ideal for high investment, particularly those with high carat, eye-clean transparency, and vibrant color. Ruby Stone is the birthstone of June and thus makes a perfect gift for those born in this month.
Burma stones are famous for their metaphysical properties, such as they aid relief in blood-related diseases. They are associated with the root energy center. Activation enhances an individual’s leadership skills and motivation and provides emotional balance. Burmese ruby is a trending gem for engagement rings; if it’s from the oldest and finest mines, the adornment’s value increases. New Burma rubies, although forming a significant part of the market, are confined to imitation jewelry as they do not contain any metaphysical property. Moreover, since they are low-quality stones, they are also not apt for investment purposes. These stones are priced lower than those sourced from Mogok and Mong Hsu mines.
Ensure you buy certified natural Old Burmese ruby from Navratan, an authenticated gem store in India.