Gems Notes and Extracts Augusto Castellani, Mrs. John Brogden 1871

RUBY. 189The specific gravity of the Oriental ruby, greaterthan that of all other gems, is from 8-900 to 4-2833.When analysed it yieldsAlumina .. .. .. 98 '5Oxide of iron . . . . 1Remainder .. .. 0'5When rubbed it becomes electric, and remains so fora considerable time.The best Oriental rubies come from China and India.They are found in the island of Ceylon, in the mountainsof Capelan, in Pegu, ten days' journey from Syrian,at Carnbaja, and at Lahore. Those from China areprocured in the mountains of the province of Ya-nan.The mines of Burmah, which produce the best, havebeen known for many centuries.Being a governmentmonopoly, they are rigorously guarded, and no Europeancan even see them. It is said that the king of thatcountry possesses some of the most beautiful, and henumbers amongst his titles that of Lord of the Rubies.When the superintendent in those mines sends noticeto the Court of the discovery of an extraordinary gem,the king orders an immense and sumptuous processionof soldiers, lords, and elephants to go and take it.The rubies of Ceylon, which are those most prized,are gathered on the shore of a river which flows toSittivacca.The red corundums of Australia, hitherto found,are of a bad quality. None have yet been found inAmerica.