For centuries, the Mogok Stone Tract of Burma has provided the world with its finest rubies. The mining district is situated about 700 km north of the capital city of Rangoon, with the rubies found principally in alluvial deposits weathering out of a crystalline limestone or marble. This article reviews the history of this famous locality, the geology of the area, and the mining methods that have predominated. Also covered is the gemology of these stones, including those inclusions that are characteristic of Burmese origin, and a discussion of famous rubies from Mogok.
