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.

101–120 of 4,669 matching references

Death of the Thai ruby

Death of the Thai ruby

Hughes, R.W. (1997)

Journal Article · Source: Cornerstone · Issue: Summer · Pages: pp. 1, 3–6

Abstract
This article discusses the rapid depletion of Thailand’s ruby sources, contrasting this with countries like Sri Lanka… It is always hard to argue to the disenfranchised about morals, ethics and environmental problems. Such is doubly true in the Third World, where the impact of any actions seems petty relative to an immediate need. For impoverished residents, consequences stretch only as far as the lip of the nearest rice bowl. To most on this planet, the world is indeed limitless, if only because they have seen so little of it. Like goldfish trapped in a bowl of someone else's making, their glass bubble is the world. Rare glimpses of the fringes beyond only reinforce their impression that they are but ants, grain by grain moving an unfathomable mass. Similar to children, they comprehend only the immediate – that which they can touch – the rest is both physically and intellectually out of reach. But just where does the Third World end and the First World begin? And who stands betwixt the two? In every Third-World nation there are those who understand only too well the true complexion of the earth, its texture, its shape, its very finiteness and fragility. Thus it is not to prostitutes that the present column is directed, but to their pimps, those who trade virtue for coin, knowing full well that the consequences of their actions have severe negative effects on others.
Keywords
corundum, Thailand.12, gems

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Ruby & Sapphire

Ruby & Sapphire

Hughes, R.W. (1997)

Book · Publisher: RWH Publishing · Pages: 512 pp.

Abstract
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.
Keywords
corundum, quality.10, Kashmir.12, India.12, Burma.12, Thailand.12, gems

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Renaissance in Rubyland

Renaissance in Rubyland

Hughes, R.W. and Galibert, O. (1996)

Journal Article · Source: Colored Stone · Volume: Vol. 9 · Issue: No. 6, Nov.–Dec. · Pages: pp. 29–33

Abstract
The author’s account of his first pilgrimmage to Burma's Mogok Stone Tract in 1996.
Keywords
corundum, Burma.12, R.W. Hughes, gems

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Les sapphires de Montana [part 1]

Les sapphires de Montana [part 1]

The sapphires of Montana [part 1]

Hughes, R.W. and Galibert, O. (1996)

Journal Article · Source: Revue de Gemmologie A.F.G. · Issue: No. 128 · Pages: pp. 4–6 · Language: in French

Abstract
Description of Montana’s sapphire mines.
Keywords
corundum, USA.12, Montana.12, gems

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Pigeon’s blood

Pigeon’s blood

Hughes, R.W. (1996)

Journal Article · Source: Momentum · Volume: Vol. 4 · Issue: No. 13, Dec. 1996–Feb. 1997 · Pages: pp. 18–21

Abstract
The author’s account of his first pilgrimmage to Burma's Mogok Stone Tract in 1996.
Keywords
corundum, Burma.12, Mogok, gems

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Devil’s Advocate: Death of the Thai ruby

Devil’s Advocate: Death of the Thai ruby

Hughes, R.W. (1996)

Journal Article · Source: JewelSiam · Volume: Vol. 7 · Issue: No. 4, Aug–Sept · Pages: pp. 100–105

Abstract
It is always hard to argue to the disenfranchised about morals, ethics and environmental problems. Such is doubly true in the Third World, where the impact of any actions seems petty relative to an immediate need. For impoverished residents, consequences stretch only as far as the lip of the nearest rice bowl. To most on this planet, the world is indeed limitless, if only because they have seen so little of it. Like goldfish trapped in a bowl of someone else's making, their glass bubble is the world. Rare glimpses of the fringes beyond only reinforce their impression that they are but ants, grain by grain moving an unfathomable mass. Similar to children, they comprehend only the immediate – that which they can touch – the rest is both physically and intellectually out of reach. But just where does the Third World end and the First World begin? And who stands betwixt the two? In every Third-World nation there are those who understand only too well the true complexion of the earth, its texture, its shape, its very finiteness and fragility. Thus it is not to prostitutes that the present column is directed, but to their pimps, those who trade virtue for coin, knowing full well that the consequences of their actions have severe negative effects on others.
Keywords
corundum, ruby, sapphire, Thailand.12, Cambodia.12, gems

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Ruby and sapphire from Laos

Ruby and sapphire from Laos

Hughes, R.W. (1996)

Journal Article · Source: JewelSiam · Volume: Vol. 1 · Issue: No. 1, Feb–March · Pages: pp. 36–37

Abstract
History and description of Laos’ sapphire mines at Ban Huay Xai.
Keywords
corundum, Laos.12, gems

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Rubis et saphirs de République Populaire de Chine

Rubis et saphirs de République Populaire de Chine

Rubies and sapphires of the People's Republic of China

Hughes, R.W. and Galibert, O. (1995)

Journal Article · Source: Revue de Gemmologie A.F.G. · Issue: No. 125, December · Pages: pp. 5–8 · Language: in French

Abstract
China is one of the largest countries in the world, with a rich cultural and scientific tradition. Yet for non-Chinese, until recently little was known of her mineral resources. A brief survey of China's ruby and sapphire deposits is given and an eyewitness account of one of the most important of China's sapphire deposits – Penglai, Hainan Island, – is described.
Keywords
gems, corundum, China.12

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Burmese sapphire giants

Burmese sapphire giants

Hughes, R.W. and Win, U.H. (1995)

Journal Article · Source: Journal of Gemmology · Volume: Vol. 24 · Issue: No. 8, October · Pages: pp. 551–561

Abstract
The Mogok area of Myanmar (Burma) has long been noted for producing some of the world's finest blue sapphires. Burmese sapphire mining is reviewed, along with some of the most important blue sapphires from Burma, particularly those of large size. Mention is also made of some giant corundum crystals from other localities. The article contains sections based upon eyewitness accounts and discussions with some of Mogok's long-time gem dealers.
Keywords
corundum, quality.10, Burma.12, gems

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Chinese ruby and sapphire: A brief history

Chinese ruby and sapphire: A brief history

Galibert, O. and Hughes, R.W. (1995)

Journal Article · Source: Journal of Gemmology · Volume: Vol. 24 · Issue: No. 7, July · Pages: pp. 467–473

Abstract
China is one of the largest countries in the world, with a rich cultural and scientific tradition. Yet for non-Chinese, until recently little was known of her mineral resources. A brief survey of China's ruby and sapphire deposits is given and an eyewitness account of one of the most important of China's sapphire deposits – Penglai, Hainan Island, – is described.
Keywords
corundum, China.12, gems

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Montana’s Big Sky Sapphires

Montana’s Big Sky Sapphires

Hughes, R.W. (1995)

Journal Article · Source: JewelSiam · Volume: Vol. 6 · Issue: No. 4–5 · Pages: Aug–Sept, pp. 83–88; Oct–Nov, pp. 51–54

Abstract
History and description of Montana’s sapphire mines at Yogo Gulch, the Missouri River, Dry Cottonwood Creek and Rock Creek.
Keywords
R.W. Hughes, corundum, USA.12, Montana.12, gems

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Letter to the Editor [on Verneuil process]

Letter to the Editor [on Verneuil process]

Hughes, R.W. (1995)

Journal Article · Source: Canadian Gemmologist · Volume: Vol. 16 · Issue: No. 2 · Pages: pp. 59–60

Abstract
Letter commenting on certain details of the Verneuil (flame fusion) process for growing synthetic corundum, specifically how Verneuil solved the problem of fracturing by starting the growth of the crystal from the tip of a sinter cone.
Keywords
corundum, synthetic corundum.7, gems

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A brief history of heat

A brief history of heat

Hughes, R.W. (1995)

Journal Article · Source: Australian Gemmologist · Volume: Vol. 19 · Issue: No. 2 · Pages: pp. 52–54

Abstract
The article gives a brief history of corundum heat treatment, from ancient times until the appearance of heat-treated Sri Lankan geuda sapphires in the late 1970s. While there are specific reports mentioning corundum heat treatment dating back almost 1000 years, these involved low temperatures. High-temperature heat treatment of corundum is largely a product of the 20th century, and was probably discovered during experiments on the reconstructed ruby known as the ‘Geneva ruby’. Heat treatment of Anakie sapphire to improve clarity was reported as early as 1916.
Keywords
corundum, treatments.6, gems

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The rubies and spinels of Afghanistan: A brief history

The rubies and spinels of Afghanistan: A brief history

Hughes, R.W. (1994)

Journal Article · Source: Journal of Gemmology · Volume: Vol. 24 · Issue: No. 4, October · Pages: pp. 256–267

Abstract
While ruby is one of the most important gems, in the twentieth century little has been written about one of the premier sources of antiquity— Afghanistan. The following article is divided into two parts. The first describes the history of Afghanistan's ruby/spinel deposits. Important mines are located near Jagdalek and Gharan (Badakhshan). The latter is believed to be the original source of the balas ruby (spinel); many of the most famous spinels, such as the Timur Ruby and Black Prince's Ruby, possibly originated there. The second part deals with the gemmological characteristics of Jagdalek rubies.
Keywords
corundum, Afghanistan.12, Tajikistan.12, geology.11, gems

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The name game

The name game

Hughes, R.W. (1994)

Journal Article · Source: Australian Gemologist · Volume: Vol. 18 · Issue: No. 10, May · Pages: pp. 311–315

Abstract
Sometimes it seems that wisdom in the gem business is in short supply. Take a two-carat Thai ruby of good quality. Say it sells for $5000. In contrast, the garnet of identical appearance sells for about $10. The difference? As far as the consumer is concerned, it's the name. With gems, the name is so important. Thus you could be forgiven if you think that this industry has an airtight method for determining just what those names are. Such is not the case. Gemology has made tremendous strides over the past century; Kunz, Bauer, Anderson, Webster, Sinkankas, Eppler, Shipley, Gübelin, Koivula and others have given us much, but the area of nomenclature remains untouched.
Keywords
nomenclature, RW Hughes, gems

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Bottling up the treatment genie

Bottling up the treatment genie

Hughes, R.W. (1993)

Journal Article · Source: Thailand Jewellery Review · Volume: Vol. 6 · Issue: No. 3, March · Pages: pp. 130–132

Abstract
A discussion of how, if full treatment disclosure was not enacted by the gem trade, natural gems would be in danger of extinction.
Keywords
corundum, Thailand.12, Cambodia.12, gems

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The embargo still looms

The embargo still looms

Hughes, R.W. (1992)

Journal Article · Source: Thailand Jewellery Review · Volume: Vol. 5 · Issue: No. 12 · Pages: pp. 28–29

Abstract
Discussing how the US used sanctions on Vietnam for their invasion of Cambodia (which removed the murderous Khmer Rouge) to effectively punish that country for winning a war two decades before.
Keywords
corundum, ruby, Vietnam.12, gems

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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.

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