the preferred colour is traditionally known as ‘pigeon’s blood’ and is a rich red with a hint of purple. Orange- and brown-tinted reds, characteristic of the rubies from Thailand, still known in the trade as Siam rubies, are next in esteem. Sri Lanka (Ceylon) ruby is inclined to pink but still most attractive. It grades into pink sapphire which has a distinct colour of its own. Star rubies rarely combine a fine colour with a central star, most stones having a reddish purple colour with little translucency. The best Burmese star rubies combine a rich crimson red with a sharp central star and considerable translucency. Commercially available Mozambique ruby