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Lot Essay
BURMESE SAPPHIRES
Myanmar has been one of the most important gem mining centre of the world for over 1,000 years. The mines of Mogok are the only sources of fine gem rubies as well as the source of the finest sapphires mined nowadays. Approximately 85% of all rubies and sapphires mined today are of Burmese origin, especially since the Kashmir mines in India have ceased operations on any large scale. Prised for their colour and size, sapphires from Burma erode from the mountains and are carried by streams to where they are handpicked from gravel deposits. This allows large crystals to remain intact. However current mining operations are severely limited, making high quality large sapphires from Burma a rare natural treasure.
Myanmar has been one of the most important gem mining centre of the world for over 1,000 years. The mines of Mogok are the only sources of fine gem rubies as well as the source of the finest sapphires mined nowadays. Approximately 85% of all rubies and sapphires mined today are of Burmese origin, especially since the Kashmir mines in India have ceased operations on any large scale. Prised for their colour and size, sapphires from Burma erode from the mountains and are carried by streams to where they are handpicked from gravel deposits. This allows large crystals to remain intact. However current mining operations are severely limited, making high quality large sapphires from Burma a rare natural treasure.