The Book of Ruby and Sapphire

J.F. Halford-Watkins  |  2012

Prior to the 1930s, ruby and sapphire were mysteries, arcane gems oft-confused with spinel and other look-alikes. Enter Col. J.F. Halford-Watkins. Living in Mogok for more than two decades, he penned several articles and an entire monograph on the subject of these rare gems. Sadly he passed away before it could be published. In 1994, Richard Hughes came across a reference to the manuscript. Patrick Streeter, grandson of G. Skelton Streeter, and great grandson of the famed London jeweler, Edwin Streeter, had mentioned the Halford-Watkins manuscript while writing his book, Streeter of Bond Street. Following up on that obscure reference Richard Hughes stumbled upon something truly fantastic, an undiscovered treasure of the gemological literature. Over ten years in the making, The Book of Ruby and Sapphire  is the realization of Halford-Watkins’ vision. Professionally edited and illustrated, it represents a gemological tour de force.

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The author makes his first pilgrimage to Burma's Mogok Stone Tract, home of the pigeon's blood ruby.

The history of Burma's jade mines, as seen through Western eyes, from the earliest accounts through World War II.

An account of the authors' 1997 visit to Burma's jade mines.

In 1996, several gemologists set off for Burma's remote jade mines, the first visit by foreigners since the early 1960's. This is the story of their epic journey.

A brief history of Burmese (Myanmar) sapphires, along with details of some of the major pieces of yore.

An essay on buying gems at the source in Asia, with a discussion of how con men play on the greed of those who believe gems will be cheaper at the mines.

An investigation into nephrite and imitation nephrite pebbles purchased in Guangzhou, China's Hualin Street jade market.

A brief look at the famous emerald and alexandrite from Russia's Ural Mountain mines.

A curated list of the most important books on gems, gemology, jewelry, mineralogy and allied fields.

Since the late 1960's, East Africa has been home to some of planet earth's greatest gem discoveries. And yet, little has been written about certain of these finds. In the autumn of 2007, the authors set out to fill in the gaps, specifically regarding Tanzania's Mahenge, Songea and Tunduru regions.

Links to websites related to gemology, gemstones, minerals and jewelry.

The Thai city of Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี) may be small, but it has played an important role in both the history of Thailand and the gem trade. Taking its name from the Sanskrit word for moon ('chan'), this petite town is among the most charming in the Land of Smiles.

When Max Green set about looting trust fund accounts in Australia, he had no idea it would lead to a sapphire mine in Laos… and a dead body in Cambodia.

In search of Thailand's last ruby miner.

In search of ruby and sapphire on the lost Isle of Madagascar.

In Memory of Marc Bielenberg – "Mr. Montana Sapphire"

In a tragic underground cave in, Mike Roberts of the Roberts Yogo Sapphire Mine passed away in March 2012.

A discussion of the definition of padparadscha sapphire, from early to modern times, along with the difficulty in standardizing such definitions.

The chapter on ruby and sapphire from Burma (Myanmar) from Richard Hughes' 1997 book, Ruby & Sapphire.