The "King of Gems" Unveiled

Ruby is a fascinating exploration of the "king of gems" that takes the reader on a journey from the ancient mines of Burma, along the Silk Road in China, to the courts and palaces of Europe, where rubies were purchased from intrepid gemstone merchants to adorn royalty, dignitaries, and the social elite. From emperors and empresses, kings and queens, maharanis and Hollywood stars, stories of love, passion, and romance are presented here, accompanied by a historical and social context that reveals why rubies are so revered. /public-objects/052ea2b6-2402-4e83-9ffb-263027a63c21-957864d0-d2bf-4681-beb3-c51de269be70-Ruby_A18135%2BViolette%2BLtd23973.JPG.webp Image sélectionnée More than just a book, it's a journey through 21 centuries of history, from Indian and Burmese legends to the contemporary creations of the greatest maisons . Illustrated with spectacular photographs, the work reveals the gemological secrets of red corundum, analyzes the most famous rubies sold or preserved in royal and private collections, and traces the fascinating route of these stones, from the mine to the display case. A book-object that is leafed through like a travel diary, and that makes you want to push open the door to Mogok, the "Valley of Rubies" in Burma, where legend and reality blend at sunrise over the raw stones, still set in their matrix.