[A2] Complete guide to ruby production areas | Characteristics and values of Myanmar, Thailand, and Mozambique
A complete guide to ruby production areas | Characteristics and values of Myanmar, Thailand, and Mozambique
SUPERVISOR / Supervision
Takazo Saito
Selby EC/SNS/Ruth/Production Department Manager
List of major ruby producing areas [Conclusion]
The three major producing regions of ruby are Myanmar, Thailand (Cambodia), and Mozambique.It is. The highest peak comes from the Mogok region of Myanmar, especially thePigeon bloodThe highest quality ruby, known as ``Ruby'', is traded for millions of yen to tens of millions of yen per ct. On the other hand, Mozambique is an emerging production area that has emerged since 2009 and accounts for the majority of the current distribution volume.
CONCLUSION
Ruby depends on its originColor, fluorescence, iron content, market valueare very different."Production area = value"So much so that it is an element that holds the core of evaluation.
1
myanmar
Top quality
2
mozambique
Emerging/Main Distribution
3
Thailand/Cambodia
Traditional production area
FIG.01 / WORLD MAP
Map of the world's major ruby producing regions
Figure 1: Major ruby-producing regions in the world. The three major producing regions are Myanmar, Mozambique, and Thailand (Cambodia).
What are the three major producing areas of rubies?
Of the rubies produced all over the world,More than 90% of market distributionThe three major producing regions are Myanmar, Thailand (Cambodia), and Mozambique. Each production area has a different geological structure.Different color mechanismsAs a result, it has its own unique color tone and value.
| Production area | Main features | Market positioning |
|---|---|---|
| myanmar | Low iron/high chromium/blue fluorescence/pure red | Highest peak/highest value |
| mozambique | Medium iron content/bright red/large grains also produced | Modern main distribution |
| Thailand/Cambodia | High iron content/Dark red/Almost no fluorescence | Traditional production area/medium price range |
FIG.02 / COLOR COMPARISON
Ruby color comparison by production area
Figure 2: Colors vary depending on the production area. The lower the iron content, the more vivid the red color appears.
Ruby from Myanmar | World's highest quality
🇲🇲
Myanmar (formerly Burma)
MYANMAR / BURMA
★ TOP TIER
Start of production
15th century~
major mines
Mogok/Monsu
Features
Pure red/strong fluorescence
northern myanmarMogok regionis a sacred place that has produced the world's highest quality rubies for over 500 years. The low iron and high chromium content produces a pure red color and blue fluorescence under UV light.
Characteristics of Mogok Mine
Mandalay region in northern MyanmarMogok Valleyis “Valley of RubiesIt is the world's oldest and highest ruby production area, known as ``. Because of the marble metamorphic rock origin,Extremely low in iron and rich in chromium. As a result, rubies under ultraviolet lightstrong red fluorescenceIt emits a "fiery red color from within" under sunlight or fluorescent light.
Characteristics of Monsou Mine
Myanmar's ruby-producing region is second only to Mogok.Mong Hsu. It was discovered in the 1990s and is unique in that it can be mass-produced. However, there are silk inclusions and dark core inside.Bring out the transparency by applying heat treatmentis common. Its price range is more modest than that of Mogok, making it the mainstay of the mid-grade market.
What is pigeon blood?
🕊 PIGEON BLOOD / Definition of Pigeon Blood
Pigeon bloodThe name refers to the highest color among rubies. It is compared to the color of blood flowing from the throat of a pigeon,Vivid color with a slight blue tinge to pure redIt is said that Authoritative organizations such as SSEF and GRS certify only those that meet the following strict standards.
✔ Hue: Pure red to slightly purplish red
✔ Saturation: Extremely high (vivid)
✔ Brightness: medium to slightly bright
✔ Fluorescence: strong red fluorescence
✔ Clarity: Transparent to the naked eye
✔ No treatment or only mild heat treatment
"The term 'pigeon blood' is reserved for rubies of an intense, slightly purplish-red colour, combined with a strong red fluorescence."
(The term "pigeon blood" is reserved for rubies with a bright, slightly purplish red color with strong red fluorescence.) - SSEF (Swiss Gemological Institute) Official Guidelines
Characteristics of rubies from Thailand and Cambodia
🇹🇭🇰🇭
Thailand/Cambodia
THAILAND / CAMBODIA
TRADITIONAL
Main production area
Chanthaburi / Pailin
Features
Dark red/high iron content
fluorescence
Almost none
Colors containing a lot of iron
eastern thailandChanthaburi, in western CambodiaPailinRuby produced locally isbasalt originIt is characterized by its high iron content. Iron has the property of canceling out red fluorescence, soDeep, calm dark red (garnet-like red) with almost no fluorescence.presents. Known as the "Siam Ruby", it was widely used in antique jewelry from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
Price range and distribution status
Currently, the domestic ruby production in Thailand and Cambodia issignificantly reduced. The depletion of mines has progressed, and the current Thailand isPolishing and distribution hub” is the main role. Ruby rough stones from all over the world are gathered in Bangkok and Chanthaburi, processed and shipped. The price of Thai ruby itself ranges from tens of thousands of yen to hundreds of thousands of yen per ct, making it popular with antique jewelry and collectors looking for unique deep red.
Characteristics of rubies from Mozambique
🇲🇿
mozambique
MOZAMBIQUE
NEW STAR
Year of discovery
2009
major mines
Montepuez
market share
Approximately 80% of the world
Positioning as an emerging production area
Northern MozambiqueMontepuezA large ruby deposit was discovered in the mining area in 2009.The largest new ruby producing area in the 21st centuryIt is. Currently, the world's ruby supply isApproximately 80%Gemfields, a major London gemstone mining company, has a major interest. The iron content is between that of Myanmar and Thailand.large and bright redstable supply of rubies. Some are even produced in quality comparable to pigeon blood.
How to tell it is from Myanmar
Made in MozambiqueFluorescence is weaker than that from Myanmar.The red luminescence under ultraviolet light is somewhat modest. The characteristics of inclusions are also different,In SSEF and GRS, origin is identified by trace element analysis using LA-ICP-MS (mass spectrometry).will do. In many cases, complete identification is difficult with the naked eye or a microscope, so it is important to always check the certificate from the identification organization.
| Item | Made in Myanmar | Made in Mozambique |
|---|---|---|
| host rock | Marble (metamorphic rock) | Amphibolite |
| iron content | very few | Slightly more |
| UV fluorescence | strong red fluorescence | medium |
| Production of large grains | rare | Relatively many |
| Market price per ct (high quality) | 1 million to tens of millions of yen | 300,000 to 5 million yen |
Other production areas (Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Tanzania)
🇻🇳 Made in Vietnam
Northern in the 1980sLuc Yen、Quy ChauThe production area was discovered in. The color is similar to that from Myanmar, and it is characterized by a bright red color with a hint of pink. Some of the high-quality rough stones produced in recent years are so high that it is difficult to distinguish them from those produced in Myanmar.
🇱🇰 Made in Sri Lanka
Since ancient times,ceylon"Jewel Island". Ruby isBright red to pink-red with ambiguous boundaries with pink sapphireis the center. Although the amount produced is smaller than sapphire, loose varieties with high quality transparency are available.
🇹🇿 Made in Tanzania
east africaLongido、WinzaProduced in etc. The color varies depending on the region, and the one from Windsor is prized for its bright red color. Prior to its discovery in Mozambique, it was an important source of African rubies.
Price comparison table by production area
Even if the number of carats and the same grade are the same,Prices vary by more than 10 times depending on the production areamay appear. The following is a guideline for the market price per 1ct (assuming untreated to mildly heated and practical grades).
| Production area | standard grade | high quality grade | The highest peak (pigeon blood class) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myanmar (Mogok) | 300,000 to 800,000 yen | 1 million to 5 million yen | 5 million to 30 million yen+ |
| Myanmar (Monshu) | 100,000 to 300,000 yen | 500,000 to 2 million yen | Rarely applicable |
| mozambique | 150,000 to 400,000 yen | 800,000 to 3 million yen | 3 million to 15 million yen |
| Thailand/Cambodia | 50,000 to 200,000 yen | 300,000 to 1 million yen | Rarely applicable |
| vietnam | 80,000 to 250,000 yen | 400,000 to 1,500,000 yen | Occurs rarely |
| sri lanka | 50,000 to 150,000 yen | 200,000 to 800,000 yen | Rarely applicable |
*The above is a guideline per 1ct. The actual price will vary greatly depending on the cut, clarity, whether or not it has been processed, and the evaluation by the identification agency (refer to market prices as of June 2026).
FIG.03 / PRICE INDEX
High quality ruby price index by production region (Myanmar = 100)
Figure 3: Price index per 1 ct of high-quality ruby (Myanmar production = 100). The difference is 2 to 5 times or more depending on the production area.
Importance of certificate of origin
ruby valueDetermined by production areaIt is no exaggeration to say that. That's why when purchasingOrigin Report from a reliable identification organizationis extremely important.
🏛 Major international identification agencies
| Institution name | Location | Features |
|---|---|---|
| SSEF | Switzerland (Basel) | The highest authority for identification of origin. Established standards for pigeon blood certification. |
| GRS | Switzerland (Lucerne) | Detailed color grade notation. Widely adopted in the luxury market. |
| Gubelin | Switzerland (Lucerne) | A long-established store founded in 1923. Detailed analysis report. |
| GIA | USA (Carlsbad) | The world's largest scale. Origin Report is a separate option. |
| A.I.G.S. | Thailand (Bangkok) | Japan's distribution volume is top class, but it has a wide range, so it must be carefully examined. |
Points to check with the certificate of origin
| ① Country of origin notation | A clear country name such as "Burma (Myanmar)" or "Mozambique" |
| ② Presence or absence of processing | "No indication of heating" or "Heated" |
| ③ Color comment | Descriptions such as "Pigeon Blood" and "Vivid Red" |
| ④ Trace element analysis | Producing location confirmed by content ratio of Cr, Fe, Ti, Ga, V, etc. |
| ⑤ Identification number and issue date | Authenticity can be verified on the institution's official website |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Where is the best source of rubies?
The Mogok region in northern Myanmar (formerly Burma) is the highest mountain in the world. It has a history of more than 500 years, and most of the highest quality rubies, especially called "pigeon blood", are produced in this area.
What is pigeon blood?
It is the name of the highest color of ruby, which means "the color of a pigeon's blood." It must be pure red with a slight bluish tinge and strong red fluorescence. Only individuals that are specified in identification documents from authoritative organizations such as SSEF and GRS can be officially called Pigeonbloods.
Is the value of products made in Mozambique lower than those made in Myanmar?
Generally speaking, the one from Myanmar is highly rated, but there are also high-quality specimens from Mozambique that are as high as pigeon blood, and their value has skyrocketed in recent years. It is important to evaluate comprehensively, such as color, clarity, and whether or not the product has been processed, rather than simply determining the place of origin.
Why are rubies from Thailand hard to find on the market?
Domestic ruby mines in Thailand and Cambodia have been depleted and are currently not being mined. Bangkok functions as a polishing and distribution hub for rubies around the world, and many of the rubies that appear in stores as being made in Thailand are of antique origin.
Is it better not to buy cheap rubies without a certificate of origin?
When purchasing a high-priced item (several hundred thousand yen or more), we strongly recommend purchasing one that comes with a certificate of authenticity from a reliable organization such as SSEF, GRS, Gübelin, or GIA. Even if ruby is cheap, it is best to have at least a simple identification document to distinguish it from synthetic stones or products impregnated with lead glass.
Which is more valuable: no treatment (non-heat) or heat treatment?
Untreated (No Heat) rubies are extremely rare and can fetch 2 to 10 times the price of heat treated rubies of the same quality. However, heat treatment is a generally accepted process, and heated products are not "fake".
Summary
Key points of this article
- Three major ruby producing regions: Myanmar, Mozambique, Thailand (Cambodia)
- The highest peak comes from Mogok, Myanmar. Features pure red + strong red fluorescence
- "Pigeon Blood" is a strict title indicating the highest quality color.
- Mozambican products have been on the rise since 2009 and are currently the main distribution
- The one from Thailand has a high iron content and is deep dark red in color. Currently serving as a polishing hub
- Prices vary by more than 2 to 10 times depending on the production area. A certificate of origin such as GRS or AIGS is required.
It's not just the color and size that determines the value of a ruby.“Where was red born?”This information on the place of origin is the most important element that tells the story and essence of the stone. At Selby, we attach reliable identification information to all of our rubies, and strive to ensure that our customers can encounter ``real red'' with peace of mind.
SUPERVISED BY
Takazo Saito
Selby EC/SNS/Ruth/Production Department Manager. Familiar with all processes involved in jewelry business, from purchasing rough stones to identification, production, and sales.