Geographic Origin:
Mogok - Burma (Myanmar)

Treatments:
No Treatments (Unheated/Untreated)

Color Award:
Pigeon Blood Red

Color Award Description:
Macabre, as it sounds, "Pigeon Blood Red" refers to a color category reserved for the finest, high-caliber rubies that exhibit a vibrant and vivid crimson red color. The term is said to have originated in Burma, where locals call the most vivid rubies "ko-twe", meaning "pigeon's blood". It is said that a perfect ruby is the same color as the first two drops of blood from the nose of a freshly-killed pigeon.

Pigeon blood red is the most sought-after color in rubies, surpassed by no other. While these rubies are usually devoid of purplish/pinkish/orangish/brownish overtones, some stones may show a slight purple hue.

While Burma (Myanmar) - particularly the Mogok region - has historically produced the most legendary pigeon blood red rubies, the nomenclature is not exclusive to the country. Other localities that yield fine-quality pigeon blood red rubies include Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Vietnam.

Transparency:
Transparent with Milkiness

Clarity Grade:
Not Applicable

Velvety Appearance:
This gemstone exhibits an appearance that is classified as "velvety". Such an appearance results from very fine microscopic particles that scatter light, causing the coveted visual effect without negatively affecting the gem's transparency. Gemstones with a velvety appearance have little to no extinction, display a warm glow, and look very pleasing to the eye. Therefore, velvety appearance is considered a highly sought-after trait in gemstones. The most prominent examples of gemstones coveted for their velvety appearance are the legendary Kashmir sapphires.