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92

Tuesday 18th October

167 A RUBY AND DIAMOND RING

The oval-shaped ruby

weighing approximately 2.20cts

, between two old brilliant-cut diamond

shoulders,

diamonds approximately 1.25cts each,ring size R½

€ 7,500 - 9,500

168 A PAIR OF RUBY AND DIAMOND EARCLIPS, CIRCA 1950

Of stylised foliate design, each set to the centre with six circular-cut rubies, within brilliant-cut

diamond leaves and buds,

diamonds approximately 1.70cts total, length 2.4cm,fitted case by Garrard &

Co.Ltd,112 Regent StreetW1

€ 2,000 - 3,000

It is very probable that humans discovered rubies about 3000 BC.The famous Mogok mining

area of Burma (now the union of Myanmar) has been so heavily mined for so many thousands of

years that evidence is rare.According to the thirteenth-century medical literature from India,

rubies were believed to cure digestive disorders.Warriors from Burma inserted rubies under

their skin so they would not be wounded in battle. People once believed they could ensure a

peaceful life.Wearing ruby, they thought, could bring health, wealth, wisdom and love. People

believed that if you wore a ruby in a ring on the left hand or in a brooch on the left side, it

would give you a magical ability to live in peace among your enemies.

The name Burma is practically synonymous with fine-quality ruby. Political changes led to the

renaming of the country as Myanmar, but many people to this date still refer to Burma when

they talk about the source of the world’s most prized rubies.The first Burmese mines were

located in Mogok, and production fluctuated through much of the post-WorldWar II era.The

discovery of a rich deposit in Mong Hsu helped the country get back to the forefront of ruby

producers. Still, not all rubies from other places are inferior.The quality of rubies fromThai-

land, Cambodia, andVietnam sometimes rivals Myanmar’s output.