Ruby & Sapphire

Ruby & Sapphire by Hughes, Richard W.. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780964509764.

Ruby & Sapphire is a journey into one of mankinds most fascinating subjects. 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 Burmas Mogok Stone Tract, where pigeons blood rubies are pried from both soil and central government control. Marvel over Indias maharajahs, the worlds 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.