Madagascar trip

TRADE: Deputy Commerce Minister Wiroon Techapaiboon will lead a trade mission to Madagascar in mid-July, with the African nation's ban on exports of gems and precious rough stones high on the agenda.

Mr Wiroon said that the ban, which took effect in February, delivered a big blow to Thai jewellers as they were facing a shortage of raw materials.

The Thai jewellery industry depends mostly on imported raw materials. Most of the rough stones and gems imported from Madagascar are sapphires and rubies.

Daniel E.H. Dele'vauz, the honorary consul of Madagascar said that lifting the ban just for Thailand was unlikely, but he said joint ventures between the two countries to set up cutting factories in Madagascar were highly viable.

Diamond India to Hold First B2B Sale of Loose Stones

India’s first ever private B2B sale of diamond solitaires and colored gemstones is being organized in Mumbai June 21– 30t by Diamond India Ltd, a consortium of 58 leading Indian diamond manufacturers, including DTC Sightholders, Rio Tinto’s Select Diamantaires and BHP Billiton customers.

Goods on display will include solitaire diamonds of 1 carat and above in all shapes and colors and a range of precious colored gemstones – blue sapphires, rubies, ruby lights and emeralds of all shapes, sizes and qualities.

The event is a strictly B2B platform and is expected to have participation from major Indian diamond manufacturers and leading companies from Antwerp, Israel and the U.S. The recently formed Indo-Thai joint venture company Prakruti will also be displaying a range of colored gemstones.

Buyers at this by-invitation only event will be from among India’s top 500 retailers. Viewing and sale will take place at DIL’s Mumbai office by appointment only.

“We will be making vigorous marketing efforts to bring in leading retailers from all across the country through advertising on trade platforms, e-mailers, personalized invitations, etc.,” says Praveen Shankar Pandya, Chairman, DIL.

He adds that the organizers will ensure that all items have clearly defined prices and that there will be complete transparency in the process.

Ever since the government abolished the duty on cut and polished diamonds, there has been an increasing interest among international polished manufacturers to sell their goods in the Indian market, which today is one of the major diamond consuming markets worldwide. Indian jewelers report that the demand for large sizes is particularly strong.http.

Ruby-The King of Gemstones

Ruby is a form of Aluminium Oxide known as Corundum. Pure Corundum is in fact clear, and Red Corundum, or Ruby, is made up of Corundum (Al2O3), and Chromiumium impurities (Cr3+), which are responsible for the wonderful Red colorations. Ruby is the most valuable gem in the Corundum family.Ruby is associated with the zodiac signs of Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius and Scorpio. Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July.

The name Corundum is believed to originate from either the Indian word kauruntaka, or the Sanskrit word kurivinda. Ruby, the name for this particular type of Corundum is taken from the Latin word ruber, meaning “red”.

Since ancient times, the Ruby has been known as the King of Gemstones, and has been considered to be a protective stone providing the wearer with benefits such as invulnerability and preserved health. In addition to this, Rubies inspire creativity, wisdom and love, as well as enhancing self-reliance / confidence and increasing spirituality. Rubies worn by men signified manhood and nobility. Rubies worn by women were said to invoke passion and power. Improved circulation is one of the major perceived medical benefits of Ruby gems. Fire, blood and warmth are further properties assiciated with the Ruby.

It is an extremely hard and a very expensive exercise trying to source natural Rubies that have not been heat-treated as these gems are amongst the most valuable gemstones known today. However, thanks to modern gemstone enhancements and treatments, it is now possible to own wonderful, heat-treated natural Rubies that are both available to meet demand, and priced at a level making this beautiful King of gemstones attainable / available to most people.

Whilst today's main sources of Ruby are Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam and Thailand, there are also notable resources in Afghanistan, Africa, Cambodia, India, Kashmir, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Tajikistan and the United States (North Carolina).
The highest quality and most desirable Rubies are those that originate in Myamnar (Burma). Burmese Rubies, once heat-treated display amazing deep red colors. Vietnamese Rubies generally display a purple hue and Rubies from Thailand are a beautiful mid-red color. Rubies from Africa display remarkable red colors and Sri Lankan (Ceylon), Sapphires often have a raspberry tint and are therefore also considered amongst the most desirable.

Ruby is rated at 9 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness and is second only to the Diamond in this regard. Rubies are therefore perfectly suited to all jewelry purposes / uses and is a very hard-wearing, durable and versatile gemstone suitable for everyday wear.

Being an extremely hard gemstone that is very well-suited to jewelry purposes, Rubies are cut into almost all of the known gemstone cuts, with Cushion, Emerald, Pear and Oval cuts being particularly popular.

Almost all Rubies found on the market today have been heat-treated in order to intensify color and remove “silk”, small inclusions present in most natural Rubies. This method of treatment is considered permanent and color should not fade over time.