Ruby & Sapphire

A technical work that elicits anything other than yawns is always a scarce item. But Ruby & Sapphire is just such a book--a rare combination of fact and fun, the pertinent and the peculiar.

Open Ruby & Sapphire and you step into a secret world where, with each page turned, a new adventure awaits. Journey to Burma's Mogok Stone Tract, where pigeon's blood rubies are pried from both soil and central government control. Marvel over India's maharajahs, the world's greatest gem collectors, for whom no price was too great. Explore the legendary Valley of Serpents, into which pieces of meat were cast to trap rubies. And ascend to the lofty snows of Kashmir, home of storied blue-velvet sapphires. These are but a few of the amazing and colorful tales within.

But Ruby & Sapphire is also much more. The product of over 15 years of firsthand experience, it covers every facet of the subject from A-Z. Sources, prices, quality analysis, synthetics and treatments, everything is here, a virtual encyclopedia of the subject.

Ruby & Sapphire highlights:

• Fully illustrated. Over 350 full-color photos, including many published for the first time.
• Extensive price tables covering rubies and sapphires from around the globe.
• Exhaustive auction descriptions and sale prices make this an invaluable research tool.
• World sources from A to Z--over 50 countries.
• Tricks of the trade--learn how to avoid being taken advantage of in buying and selling.
• More than 2400 references--the most complete bibliography ever assembled.
• How to spot synthetic and treated gems.
• Drawings, maps and dozens of rare black-and-white photos take you direct to the source.

 

While a native of the United States, Hughes has spent more than two decades in Asia, where his interest in precious stones was first kindled. He has traveled to scores of countries in search of precious stones and authored four books and over 150 articles on gems and gemology.

Richard's irreverent writing style has attracted a widespread following throughout the world, making him much in demand as both speaker and writer. He is recognized for his ability to take complex subjects and make them both compelling and easily understood.