Burma Ruby: Freed By Rain, Tangled In Trade
As the water from the rains helps free the Burma ruby from its hiding place in nature, it emerges into a climate of political instability. Prized for its color, the Burma ruby faces a struggle to get to some of the people who really want it. However, the Burma ruby is a durable stone and has the ability to weather these tough conditions.
The Burma ruby, like all rubies, is from the corundum mineral family. Rating a nine on the Mohs scale, the Burma ruby equals the durability of a sapphire and is only second in hardness to a diamond, which rates a ten on the Mohs scale.
Other than for its durability, a Burma ruby is mostly known for its color. The color of a Burma ruby is deep, fluorescent red. The color is similar to the color of  pigeon’s blood, and the Burma ruby is sometimes referred to as a pigeon’s blood ruby. Many rubies found elsewhere lack the fluorescent trait, which, when compared to Burmese rubies, makes their red color appear less vibrant. Padamya is the Burmese word for ruby. It means “plenty of mercury.” Regardless of lighting conditions, a Burma ruby will keep its vivid color.
Burma (Myanmar) is the largest country in Southeast Asia. Most Burma rubies come from the Mogok area. The Mogok Stone Tract has supplied the world with rubies for over 800 years. A Burma ruby is still mined with old, traditional methods. The abundant rainfall in the area helps to uncover many of the Burmese rubies, and the water from these rains is necessary for traditional mining.
Many of the world’s finest rubies are found in Burma. In 1995, a Burma ruby ring (over 27 carats) sold for $4 million at Sotheby’s in Geneva. That breaks down to over $146,000 per carat.
Distribution of the Burma ruby has decreased due to political instability and over-mining. Rangoon is Myanmar’s gem trading capital. Myanmar stopped street vendors in the nearby towns of Tachilek and Taunggyi from dealing its rubies in 1995. 80% of the world’s ruby trade is now done in Thailand.
On July 28, 2003, George W. Bush signed the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. This law bans the importation into the United States of anything that has been produced, mined, grown, manufactured, or assembled in Burma, but items imported to the United States before 2003 can still be traded and sold legally.
 Ruby is known as the king of gemstones. It is the July birthstone, and is recommended for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. The ruby is also a symbol of bravery. Warriors went into battle with rubies implanted under their skin, according to some legends, believing this would make them invincible. Other people have believed rubies were a piece of the planet Mars.
Vietnam mines began producing high quality rubies in 1992. The Vietnam ruby is difficult to distinguish from the Burma ruby at times. Color is most important when determining the value of a ruby, followed by clarity, cut, and size. Many people believe the vibrant color of a Burma ruby comes from an eternal flame inside the stone.
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