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 Post subject: Mong Hsu Ruby Ring
PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:52 pm 
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Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:45 am
Posts: 134
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hi guys,

Here, I saw a MongHsu rubies encrusted ring. The stones have the characteristic whip-like features and hazy clouds (evidence of heat treatment). They are quite good looking, albeit with not so excellent cuts. Since I couldn't weigh the stones, I could only estimate the weight based on the size (about 6x4x2mm marquis cut)....about 0.5ct each stone. After checking with 10x magnifying glass, I didn't see any blueish flashes or bubbles (the scenes I got from the lead glass filled specimens). There are a few surface pits on 3 of the 44 stones though (should be normal for heat treated Burmese stones right?)...And after some friendly bargain, I bought it...I am not sure about the value of such stones, but I like them, and happy to be able to add it to my collection :D !I don't have a camera with me now, but I will try posting some pictures after going back to my country next week.

And according to the miner-cum-sellers, MongHsu's production is deteriorating in the last few years, and most of the new rubies are actually from Namya....Indeed, most of the "Burmese" are quite pinkish, but still look better than the African stones sold here. I tried looking for the latest statistics of MongHsu ruby production, but failed...there are news reports (dated a few years ago) claiming that MongHsu mine has closed.....Anyone here has any idea on this issue? if this is true, it would be quite a loss for ruby lovers.

Thank you to all of you for sharing your knowledge with me.

Here's some pics of the ruby ring I mentioned previously. The quality of the picture is quite bad as they are from my old shabby hand phone.

3 pictures were taken in the afternoon, another 3 pictures taken during the late afternoon, and another 2 pictures taken with incandescent light.

Many Thanks!


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File comment: afternoon look c
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 Post subject: Re: How to differentiate peridot and green zircon
PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:56 pm 
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Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:45 am
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Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
These are 3 pictures taken in the late afternoon (around 5-7pm)

Thanks!


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 Post subject: Re: How to differentiate peridot and green zircon
PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:08 pm 
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Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:45 am
Posts: 134
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
And the pictures taken under incandescent light

In my country, not many jewelers are equipped with in depth knowledge of rubies even though it is quite close to the producers of rubies. Nevertheless, I am very interested with the Corundum family and would love to learn as much as possible from everyone of you.

Please feel free to provide some ideas, advises or suggestions on ruby selection or purchase for me.

Thank you very much!


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 Post subject: Re: Mong Hsu Ruby Ring
PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 3:10 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
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Location: San Francisco
What are we looking for here?
Oh, this is not a request for more pictures, I just want to know what sort of information you are looking for. :D


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 Post subject: Re: Mong Hsu Ruby Ring
PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 10:06 pm 
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Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:45 am
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Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hi there,

I would like to know more tips on ruby selections, especially techniques that are more applicable to field. For instance, I have heard of oiled rubies, but don't really know the keys to identify them. Can anyone show me?

Is flux healing an allowed routine in ruby treatment besides the old heat treatment?
I noticed that completely untreated rubies, like those from Myanmar (except Mogok), are full with surface blemishes. However, the treated stones usually have much better surface quality, albeit still with a few pits. Therefore, I suspect that flux healing was done on the stones during the processing...

And, if possible, I would like to know whether mines like Mogok, MongHsu are really closed down :lol: .

Don't worry....no more pictures...at least for a while... :lol: unless I got new gems to share with you guys.. :P

Many many thanks....


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 Post subject: Re: Mong Hsu Ruby Ring
PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 10:25 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
Posts: 21602
Location: San Francisco
In our opinion, the foremost authority on ruby and sapphire is Dick Hughes.
Have you read his articles?
It's easier to supply links than rewrite what's already been written:
-Seeing RED, a Guide to Ruby Connoisseurship
-Ruby Buying Guide
-Fracture Healing/Filling Mong Hsu Ruby

Hope these links help.


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 Post subject: Re: Mong Hsu Ruby Ring
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:22 pm 
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Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:12 am
Posts: 484
Location: Chiang Rai Thailand
Flux heating is very acceptable in these and other Ruby. Traditional heat on Hmong Shu is generally not useful, the Borax is quite essential.
Yes, the mines there are near exhausted. Best regards, Lee

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 Post subject: Re: Mong Hsu Ruby Ring
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 1:56 pm 
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Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:45 am
Posts: 134
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Many thanks..

Thanks for the suggestions of the reading materials. Yes, I haven't read those yet. I had read some writing materials based on Martin Ehrmann's experience. Quite interesting. I will get the suggested reading materials. Thanks.

And many thanks to the info about treatment and the situation in MongHsu.

Best regards,
WClee


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