Ruby & Sapphire Bibliography

First Published: 25 September 2026

Ruby & Sapphire Bibliography

Explore books, articles and historical sources on ruby, sapphire and corundum in Four Treasures, the Lotus Gemology reference database. This bibliography brings together matching records from the collection, with publication details, abstracts and cover images where available.

Ruby & Sapphire References

The list below matches the terms ruby, rubies, sapphire or corundum in the database's searchable fields. Some references discuss these gems as part of a broader subject. Linked titles take you to external links where you may find the full reference.

4,521–4,540 of 4,669 matching references

Zur optik und morphologie von synthetischen rubin

Zur optik und morphologie von synthetischen rubin

On the optics and morphology of synthetic ruby.

Jäger, E. and Huttenlocher, H. (1953)

Journal Article · Source: Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie · Volume: Vol. 12 · Pages: pp. 265–272 · Language: in German

Abstract
Jäger and Huttenlocher investigate synthetic ruby from the standpoint of crystallographic morphology and optical behavior, examining the relationship between the external form and growth of the synthetic material and the crystallographic structure of corundum. They consider the orientation of the optical and crystallographic axes and the characteristic morphology produced during artificial crystal growth, using optical observations to relate the grown material to natural corundum. Particular attention is given to features arising from the growth process and to the extent to which synthetic ruby retains the fundamental optical and crystallographic properties of natural ruby despite its artificial mode of formation. The study is primarily mineralogical and crystallographic rather than gemological, and represents an early investigation of the structure and growth characteristics of manufactured corundum at a time when synthetic ruby was becoming increasingly important for both jewelry and technical applications.
Keywords
corundum, synthetic corundum.7, Verneuil, gems

View full reference

A gemmologist in Ceylon

A gemmologist in Ceylon

Squires, S.J. (1953)

Journal Article · Source: The Commonwealth Jeweller and Watchmaker · Volume: Vol. 10 · Issue: December · Pages: pp. 153–155

Keywords
corundum, ruby, sapphire, Sri Lanka.12, gems

View full reference

Gem stones of Ceylon

Hulugalle, H.A.J. (1952)

Journal Article · Source: Ceylon Today · Volume: Vol. 1 · Issue: No. 3, Nov. · Pages: pp. 20–24

Keywords
corundum, Sri Lanka.12, gems

View full reference

On Biruni’s “Mineralogy”

On Biruni’s “Mineralogy”

О «Минералогии» Бируни

Belenitzki, A.M. (1950)

Book Section · Source: Бируни: Сборник статей Biruni Sbornik [collected papers] · Publisher: Akademija Nauk SSSR · Pages: pp. 88–105 · Language: in Russian

Abstract
Belenitskii surveys al-Bīrūnī’s eleventh-century mineralogical treatise, Kitāb al-Jamāhir fī maʿrifat al-jawāhir [Book of the Multitude of Knowledge of Precious Stones], emphasizing its importance as a major medieval work on minerals, gemstones, and metals. He discusses al-Bīrūnī’s combination of information derived from earlier Greek, Arabic, Persian, and Indian authorities with direct observation and practical knowledge obtained from merchants, jewelers, craftsmen, and miners. Particular attention is given to the empirical character of al-Bīrūnī’s work: the description and differentiation of minerals by color, transparency, hardness, density, and other physical properties, together with his unusually accurate determinations of specific gravity. The treatise also preserves extensive information on the sources, varieties, working, uses, trade, and values of precious stones and metals. Belenitskii presents the work as an important stage in the development of scientific mineralogy in the medieval Islamic world and as evidence of al-Bīrūnī’s critical and observational approach to traditional mineralogical knowledge.
Keywords
gems, Arabic mineralogy, al-Biruni, corundum, spinel, pearl, early lapidaries

View full reference

Corundum in Mysore

Corundum in Mysore

Radhakrishna, B.P. (1950)

Journal Article · Source: Records, Mysore Geological Department · Volume: Vol. 46 · Issue: Pt. 2 · Pages: pp. 25–63

Abstract
The occurrence, varieties, and uses of corundum in general and the deposits in various districts of Mysore, India, are discussed. Data on the locality, mode of occurrence, and other features of more than 100 deposits are given in tabular form. Production statistics since 1900 are also given.
Keywords
corundum, India.12, gems

View full reference

Mineralogical Information of al-Biruni

Mineralogical Information of al-Biruni

Минералогические сведения Ал-Бируни

Lemmlein, G.G. (1950)

Book Section · Source: Бируни: Сборник статей [Biruni: Collection of Articles] · Publisher: Akademija Nauk SSSR · Pages: pp. 106–127 · Language: in Russian

Abstract
Lemmlein examines the mineralogical information contained in al-Bīrūnī’s Kitāb al-Jamāhir fī maʿrifat al-jawāhir, assessing the work from the standpoint of modern mineralogy and the history of science. He considers al-Bīrūnī’s descriptions and identification of gemstones, minerals, metals, and alloys, including their colors, physical characteristics, localities, methods of extraction and working, and commercial uses. Particular attention is given to al-Bīrūnī’s quantitative investigations of specific gravity, which represent an unusually advanced experimental approach for the eleventh century, and to his attempts to distinguish minerals through observable and measurable properties rather than relying solely on traditional lapidary lore. Lemmlein also discusses the difficulties of correlating medieval Arabic mineral names with modern species and emphasizes al-Bīrūnī’s critical use of earlier authorities, craftsmen’s knowledge, and his own observations and experiments. The article presents the Jamāhir as one of the most important medieval contributions to mineralogy and gemology.
Keywords
gems, Arabic mineralogy, al-Biruni, corundum, spinel, pearl, early lapidaries

View full reference

Precious stones of Ceylon

Precious stones of Ceylon

Hulugalle, H.A.J. (1949)

Journal Article · Source: Ceylon Fortnightly Review · Volume: Vol. 1 · Issue: No. 18, Jan. 26 · Pages: pp. 15–32

Keywords
corundum, Sri Lanka.12, gems

View full reference

Gem stones of Ceylon, Pts. I–IV

Gem stones of Ceylon, Pts. I–IV

Hulugalle, H.A.J. (1948)

Journal Article · Source: Ceylon Fortnightly Review · Volume: Vol. 1 · Pages: No. 6, July 16, pp. 7–9; No. 8, Aug. 20, p. 7; No. 10, Sept. 17, p. 11; No. 12, Oct. 15, p. 9

Keywords
corundum, Sri Lanka.12, gems

View full reference

Arms and Jewellery of the Indian Mughuls

Arms and Jewellery of the Indian Mughuls

Aziz, A. (1947)

Book · Source: The Mughul Indian Court and its Institutions · Publisher: Ripon Press · Pages: 159 pp.

Abstract
Aziz’s Arms and Jewellery of the Indian Mughuls is a study of the weapons, personal ornaments and jewelled objects associated with the Mughal court in India. Drawing on contemporary chronicles, travellers’ accounts, paintings and surviving objects, the work describes swords, daggers, shields and other arms, many richly decorated with gold, enamel and precious stones, alongside the elaborate jewellery worn by the emperors, members of the court and royal women. Particular attention is given to the forms, materials, craftsmanship and terminology of Mughal ornaments and to the use of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and other gems. The book illustrates the close relationship between arms, jewellery, court ceremony and social rank, showing how richly ornamented objects functioned not only as personal possessions but also as expressions of wealth, status and imperial authority.
Keywords
corundum, history.1, quality.10, Tajikistan.12, spinel, gems, Indian lapidary

View full reference

Exploring the Literature of Corundum

Ruby and sapphire research spans mineralogy, gem deposits, identification, treatments, synthesis and the history of the gem trade. Older publications can also be useful for tracing terminology, early observations and accounts of mining localities. Publication dates and the original source should be considered when using historical descriptions.

For an introduction to collecting books on this subject, read Ruby & Sapphire Books: Collecting the Literature of Corundum.

About Four Treasures

Four Treasures is Lotus Gemology's freely accessible gemological reference database. Use the full database to search by author, title or keyword and explore literature on gemology, mineralogy, jewelry and related fields. Where available, hyperlinks on titles may lead directly to the full publication.

Search the Complete Four Treasures Database