Editor’s Note
This opinion piece is based on a discussion from the Precious Talk Podcast with Michael Krzemnicki, director of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF). It explores the critical importance of a ruby’s geographic origin in determining its value and authenticity, a key concern for both collectors and the gem trade.
Ruby is one of the rarest gemstones. Michael Krzemnicki, director of the famous Basel-based gemological laboratory SSEF, discusses its origins, characteristics, and properties.
By Chaïma Teisseire – diamond dealer and enthusiast
Discover the real stories of the great figures in jewelry and watchmaking on the podcast Precious Talk.
In this new episode, we highlight the richness and complexity of the ruby, whose mysterious red color embodies both the rarity and the power of this precious stone.
In this episode, we will cover several essential points:
• The different origins of rubies, notably in Burma, Mozambique, and elsewhere.
• What makes a ruby unique and precious: its color, its luminescence, and its inclusions.
• The specificities of Burmese rubies, such as those from the Mogok region, and what distinguishes them from other rubies.
• The fundamental differences between rubies and sapphires, related to the presence of chromium and iron.
• The criteria for evaluating a ruby’s color, including the famous notion of “pigeon’s blood.”
• Treatments that rubies can undergo, such as filling cracks with oil.
• Current challenges in the precious stone market, influenced by economic factors and the pandemic.
At the end of this discussion, we will broaden our conversation to other rare and fascinating stones, with a look at Paraíba tourmaline, a gem with equally unique properties.
Chaïma Teisseire is a diamond dealer for the company OM Europe. In her Podcast Precious Talk, she shares her passion through interviews with specialists in jewelry and watchmaking.
