HANDY POCKET GUIDE TO
Asian
Gemstones
An Indian maharajah wears enormous diamonds as part of his ceremonial finery. De Beers photo
HANDY POCKET GUIDE TO
Asian
Gemstones
Text by Carol Clark
Magnificent rubies and sapphires from Sri Lanka Photo © Fred Ward 1997
Published by Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Copyright © 2004 Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
All rights reserved
Printed in Singapore.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0726-7 (ebook)
Distributors
Indonesia
PT Java Books,
Kawasan Industri Pulogadung
Jl Rawa Gelam IV No. 9 Jakarta 13930
Tel: (62) 21 4682-1088; Fax: (62) 21 461-0206
Japan
Tuttle Publishing
Yaekari Building 3F
5-4-12 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku
Tokyo 141-0032
Tel: (81) 3 5437 0171 Fax: (81) 3 5437 0755
North America, Latin America & Europe
Tuttle Publishing
Airport Industrial Park
364 Innovation Drive
North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
Tel: 1 (802) 773 8930 Fax: 1 (802) 773 6993
Asia Pacific
Berkeley Books Pte Ltd
61 Tai Seng Avenue, #02-12
Singapore 534167
Tel: (65) 6280 1330 Fax: (65) 6280 6290
15 14 13 12 11 7 6 5 4 3 1105CP
Contents
The Nga Mauk Ruby
Sapphire
Enhancing Ruby and Sapphire
Star Ruby and Sapphire
Padparadscha
Spinel
Diamonds
Diamonds of India
The Hope Diamond
Topaz
Peridot
Garnet
Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
Tourmaline
Emerald
The Emerald in History
Moonstone
Zircon
Opal
Jade
Jade in History
Jade and Buddhism
Pearls
The Pearling Industry
South Sea Pearls
Quartz
Unusual Gems
Indian Jewelry
Chinese Jewelry
Buying Gemstones
Introduction
Asia is blessed with more gemological riches than any other region on Earth. The ancient diamond mines of India provided many of the most celebrated gemstones of all time. The earth and streams of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia yield rubies and sapphires, while the warm, clear seas of Indonesia and the Philippines nurture exquisite South Sea pearls. Myanmar and Sri Lanka hold the most dazzling treasure troves of all, producing gemstones of legendary beauty and amazing variety.
Most of the gem mining activity in Myanmar centers around the town of Mogok in the northern part
