Ruby origins: Myanmar, Mozambique, Thailand and Madagascar
· GemColony
A source-driven market
Like sapphire, ruby is priced partly on origin and treatment. Many rubies are heated, and some lower-grade stones are glass-filled, which affects price and care.
Myanmar
Myanmar's Mogok valley is the historic source of fine ruby, famed for a vivid red. Fine untreated stones are rare and command a premium when a laboratory supports the origin.
Mozambique
Mozambique has become one of the most important modern sources, with deposits in the Montepuez area producing a large share of the rubies on today's market.
Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Madagascar
Thailand and Cambodia produced darker, brownish-red rubies, and Thailand remains a hub for heating and trading. Vietnam's Luc Yen and Yen Bai areas and Madagascar also produce ruby.
Recording ruby properly
Record treatment status first, since glass filling changes price and care, then origin from the lab report, weight and dimensions. Keep the report with the stone.